NWS Confirms Tornado Touchdown At MCNP

Jon Durall, storm spotter, looks at a downed tree that blocked HWY 70. (Dustin Knight, photo)

Edmonson Voice Staff Report:
NWS Officials confirmed that a "brief tornado" touched down in Edmonson County on Monday night, around 10pm, at the intersection of Cedar Sink Road and Brownsville Road (HWY 259) on the inside border of Mammoth Cave National Park.

In addition, an NWS Damage Survey concluded that an axis of straight line winds started approximately 5 miles SE of Brownsville, KY near Highway 2325.

"In this area, many 1 to 2 foot diameter hardwood trees were uprooted, narrowly missing a residence," said the NWS in a release. "In addition, tarp roofing was ripped off a hay storage structure, destroying the metal framing that held it in place. Max winds were estimated at 78 miles per hour in this area. Some damage occurred to a tree in a field on the east side of 2325 as the path continued east."

The NWS said the survey crew was unable to reach the area between 2325 and the Mammoth Cave National Park border. However, sporadic damage likely occurred between the ridges and valleys. The end of the straight line wind path culminated in a tornado inside the park.

Local meteorologist Landon Hampton said the forecast played out as expected.

"I’m very happy that the worst of these storms occurred in the park instead of Brownsville," Hampton said. "It’s also nice that we had a few fine Edmonson County folks send us damage info, reports, and photos, so we could report to NWS."

​The National Weather Service would like to thank Edmonson County Emergency Management and Mammoth Cave National Park officials for their assistance.