Trimble County Tornadoes March 2, 2012

EF-Scale: EF3
Deaths: 0
Injuries: 0
Path width: 75 yards
Path length: 3.4 miles
Time: 3:41pm EST
Notes: The National Weather Service in conjunction with Trimble County Emergency Management and an aerial survey conducted by pilots from the Kentuckiana Volunteer Aviators confirmed that a tornado touched down about 5 miles SSE of Milton, just west of the Milton volunteer fire station number 2 on Highway 421. This is just NE of the intersection of Hwy 2870 and 421. The tornado touched down at approximately 3:38 PM EST, and the initial damage included snapped and twisted trees just west of Hwy 421.

The tornado rapidly increased in intensity as it moved to the east, directly striking the Milton volunteer fire station number 2. The fire station was heavily damaged, with the collapse of rigid frames. A 4000 pound trailer (concession trailer) was moved 30 yards, while a Ford pickup truck was moved 60 yards. The tornado was 60 yards wide with wind speeds of 140 mph, indicative of EF-3 strength. The tornado tracked to the east with extensive damage of trees along Hwy 1226. The tornado weakened to an EF-1 at 871 Palmyra Rd. and at 2130 Palmyra Rd. and narrowed to about 50 yards. Witnesses describe this as a very narrow, skipping tornado. Pictures confirm this.

Witnesses saw one vortex coming down from the apparent wall cloud and quickly lifting before a new vortex came down nearby. On Culls Ridge Road, the tornado strengthened to an EF-3 once again with 140 mph winds. It damaged two homes with many exterior walls partially collapsing. The most significant damage here was an electrical transmission line which collapsed a metal truss tower and snapped several power poles in a path width of 70 yards. The tornado weakened from there to an EF-1 tornado, damaging trees as it crossed into Carroll County with wind speeds in far eastern Trimble County of 85-90 mph.

Western Trimble County, KY Photos

Eastern Trimble County, KY Photos

Southern Trimble County, KY Photos

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