Severe weather threat comes on the anniversary of deadly 1974 tornado outbreak
The latest threat for severe weather in Kentucky happens to time up with the anniversary of one of the deadliest tornado outbreaks Kentucky has seen.
The 1974 Super Outbreak happened on April 3-4 and impacted 13 states from the Great Lakes to the Gulf of Mexico, including Kentucky. The outbreak featured 148 tornadoes resulted in 335 deaths and more than 6,000 injuries, according to the National Weather Service.
It was the first outbreak on record to produce more than 100 tornadoes in a single 24-hour period, according to a weather service report issued for the anniversary.
Deaths totaled 77 in Kentucky, behind only Alabama with 86 people killed, according to a report the weather service issued soon after the disaster. Brandenburg was among the hardest-hit locations with more than 30 deaths, including several children who apparently were playing outside after school.
Deaths were reported in Boyle, Clinton, Franklin, Hardin, Jefferson, Madison, Nelson, Pulaski, Rockcastle, Simpson, Warren and Wayne counties, according to the NWS.
More than 1,300 people were injured, according to the NWS. Between 1,800 and 2,000 barns were destroyed and the entire statewide damage assessment was an estimated $110 million, which would be worth more than $700 million today, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
While Wednesday’s weather event isn’t projected to be as devastating as the Super Outbreak, there is a still a high concern for severe weather. A few Western Kentucky counties are under the highest risk assessment (level 5 of 5) of the NWS’ severe weather outlook, and multiple tornadoes, some potentially rating as an EF-3 or higher, appear likely.
Large hail and widespread damaging winds are also possible, according to the NWS.
