National Weather Service confirms 4 EF-1 tornadoes while surveying Kentucky

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — The National Weather Service has confirmed four EF-1 tornadoes hit the Louisville area Wednesday night.

Thursday morning, the agency upgraded damage found just west of Bardstown Road that was caused by an EF-1 tornado.

“Latest preliminary storm damage in Jefferson County reports at least 95 mph EF-1 damage on Providence Drive in the Glenmary Reserve neighborhood. More to come,” an update from the Louisville National Weather Service states.

STORM DAMAGE | NWS confirms at least one tornado (EF-1) has been confirmed and say it is possible more tornadoes will be discovered throughout the day. Winds in this subdivision off Providence Drive near Bardstown Road were rated at 95 MPH. @WDRBNews pic.twitter.com/wNQzijZN3I

— Grace Hayba (@GraceHayba) April 14, 2022

John Gordon, a spokesman for the National Weather Service, said late Thursday morning that he estimated that the tornado had winds of at least 97 mph and was roughly “150-ish” yards wide, though he added that further investigation could prove it to be larger.

“We’ve been looking at tree damage, barns, houses,” he said, adding that a lot of windows had been blown out. He said that it was, “kind of a mess.”

Later Thursday afternoon, two EF-1 tornadoes were confirmed in Shelby County and a fourth EF-1 tornado in LaRue County. All of the tornado confirmations are preliminary. 

UPDATE: NWS confirming at least four tornadoes touched down in our area, per preliminary reports. Two EF-1 tornadoes in Shelby Co., another EF-1 in Jefferson Co. and a fourth EF-1 in LaRue Co.Survey damage will continue tomorrow morning in several counties. https://t.co/qhNRdFzYHg

— Grace Hayba (@GraceHayba) April 14, 2022

“I’m so thankful no one was injured, or worse,” he said. “Everybody keeps telling me about trampolines. Trampolines go anywhere. I’m not worried about trampolines as long as they don’t hit people.”

That said, he pointed to two wooden planks jutting out of a nearby home, saying, “look at the missiles. There are two missiles.”

STORM DAMAGE | NWS says an EF-1 tornado with winds of 97mph hit this home on Bohannon Station Rd. The homeowner tells me his family was on their way down to the basement when the tornado hit and says they were seconds away from death. @WDRBNews pic.twitter.com/y8pv7fqz2f

— Grace Hayba (@GraceHayba) April 14, 2022

“If you are there, it’s flying debris that kills people,” he said. “It has always been flying debris.”

Gordon said he was thankful no one died in Wednesday night’s weather as opposed to the fatal tornadoes that took place in Kentucky in December. He attributed this to the fact that the tornado near Bardstown Road was smaller and to the public seeking shelter. 

However, he noted that some chose to take unnecessary risks.

“There were two cars I know of that were on Bardstown Road that were hit,” he said. “I can’t imagine how they’re alive. A vehicle offers you no shelter whatsoever, and they’re very, very fortunate. I’d be on my knees thanking someone.”

Gordon said when he saw the sun come out Wednesday afternoon, “I cussed,…