Power Outage in Mayfield, KY

A few billboards were damaged. Several metal barns lost roofing. Wooden power poles were leaning. A carport was flipped. A few trees and large branches were blown down. Peak winds were estimated near 90 mph.

A few billboards were damaged. Several metal barns lost roofing. Wooden power poles were leaning. A carport was flipped. A few trees and large branches were blown down. Peak winds were estimated near 90 mph.

This historic EF-4 tornado was associated with a very long-track supercell that originally formed over eastern Arkansas. The supercell produced a nearly continuous tornado damage path from northeast Arkansas across western Tennessee and western Kentucky. The starting point of this particular tornado was in northwest Tennessee, northwest of Union City (see Storm Data, Tennessee, Western for information on the beginning of this tornado). This tornado crossed from Hickman County into Graves County about one-half mile north of where Highway 58 crosses the county line, close to the tiny community of Baltimore. The tornado was about 1.3 miles wide when it entered the county. It varied from 1 to 1.3 miles in width as it traversed Graves County. The primary impact to Graves County was on the city of Mayfield, where the tornado achieved a rating of EF-4. This city suffered a devastating impact, in terms of both loss of life and property destruction. There were 23 fatalities countywide and many more injuries. On the southwest edge of Mayfield as the tornado entered the city, a candle factory was demolished (DI 23, DOD 7). At least nine workers in the factory were killed. The tornado continued northeast through the heart of Mayfield at 9:28 PM CST, averaging just over one mile in width. The downtown area was directly impacted, crippling the police and fire department headquarters and emergency communications. Residential neighborhoods both southwest and northeast of downtown were destroyed. Numerous businesses in the downtown business district collapsed. Several damage sites in the city of Mayfield received a wind speed estimate of 188 mph, the highest in the county. Many of the structures were historic brick buildings (DI 17, DOD 7). At least 1,500 structures were damaged or destroyed, including a couple hundred businesses. The Red Cross estimated that 730 dwellings were uninhabitable. A large number of vehicles were thrown and destroyed, including some farm equipment in rural areas outside the city. Nearly total tree destruction was observed. The first EF-4 damage in the county was noted at and around the candle factory on the southwest side of Mayfield. Near the candle factory, a house was swept clean off the concrete slab (DI 2, DOD 10). The last EF-4 damage points in the county were on the northeast side of Mayfield, including a nursing home (DI 7, DOD 7). After entering Graves County, the tornado intersected I-69 (formerly the Purchase Parkway) four miles southwest of the Mayfield city limit. A wind gust to 93 knots or 107 mph was measured at the University of Kentucky mesonet site 6 miles southwest of Mayfield. The tornado then closely followed Interstate 69 northeast all the way to Marshall County. The tornado crossed the interstate multiple times. The first crossing was two miles southwest of Mayfield, then again northeast of Mayfield just east of the Highway 131 interchange, and again at the Marshall County line. The interstate was blocked in spots by trees, power lines, and debris. From Highway 131 to Highway 301 northeast of Mayfield, the tornado followed the exact same path as the May 10, 2016 EF-3 tornado. Some of the same structures that were damaged in that tornado were destroyed by this tornado. The tornado exited Graves County into Marshall County along Interstate 69 (formerly the Purchase Parkway) where it crosses the county line.

This historic EF-4 tornado was associated with a very long-track supercell that originally formed over eastern Arkansas. The supercell produced a nearly continuous tornado damage path from northeast Arkansas across western Tennessee and western Kentucky. The starting point of this particular tornado was in northwest Tennessee, northwest of Union City (see Storm Data, Tennessee, Western for information on the beginning of this tornado). This tornado crossed from Hickman County into Graves County about one-half mile north of where Highway 58 crosses the county line, close to the tiny community of Baltimore. The tornado was about 1.3 miles wide when it entered the county. It varied from 1 to 1.3 miles in width as it traversed Graves County. The primary impact to Graves County was on the city of Mayfield, where the tornado achieved a rating of EF-4. This city suffered a devastating impact, in terms of both loss of life and property destruction. There were 23 fatalities countywide and many more injuries. On the southwest edge of Mayfield as the tornado entered the city, a candle factory was demolished (DI 23, DOD 7). At least nine workers in the factory were killed. The tornado continued northeast through the heart of Mayfield at 9:28 PM CST, averaging just over one mile in width. The downtown area was directly impacted, crippling the police and fire department headquarters and emergency communications. Residential neighborhoods both southwest and northeast of downtown were destroyed. Numerous businesses in the downtown business district collapsed. Several damage sites in the city of Mayfield received a wind speed estimate of 188 mph, the highest in the county. Many of the structures were historic brick buildings (DI 17, DOD 7). At least 1,500 structures were damaged or destroyed, including a couple hundred businesses. The Red Cross estimated that 730 dwellings were uninhabitable. A large number of vehicles were thrown and destroyed, including some farm equipment in rural areas outside the city. Nearly total tree destruction was observed. The first EF-4 damage in the county was noted at and around the candle factory on the southwest side of Mayfield. Near the candle factory, a house was swept clean off the concrete slab (DI 2, DOD 10). The last EF-4 damage points in the county were on the northeast side of Mayfield, including a nursing home (DI 7, DOD 7). After entering Graves County, the tornado intersected I-69 (formerly the Purchase Parkway) four miles southwest of the Mayfield city limit. A wind gust to 93 knots or 107 mph was measured at the University of Kentucky mesonet site 6 miles southwest of Mayfield. The tornado then closely followed Interstate 69 northeast all the way to Marshall County. The tornado crossed the interstate multiple times. The first crossing was two miles southwest of Mayfield, then again northeast of Mayfield just east of the Highway 131 interchange, and again at the Marshall County line. The interstate was blocked in spots by trees, power lines, and debris. From Highway 131 to Highway 301 northeast of Mayfield, the tornado followed the exact same path as the May 10, 2016 EF-3 tornado. Some of the same structures that were damaged in that tornado were destroyed by this tornado. The tornado exited Graves County into Marshall County along Interstate 69 (formerly the Purchase Parkway) where it crosses the county line.

About one mile north of the Tennessee border near Dukedom, numerous trees were down. A tree landed on a home and on an suv. Several power lines were down in the area.

Power lines were down across the southern portion of Graves County.

Scattered areas of wind damage occurred over northern parts of the county. Numerous trees and power lines were blown down. Some of the trees landed on power lines. A tree landed on a house at Melber, which is along the McCracken County line. Another large tree took down power lines and poles in Melber.

Widespread damaging winds were observed across southwest Graves County. A wind gust to 77 mph was measured at the Kentucky mesonet site near Pryorsburg. In Water Valley, a large metal roof was blown up against a neighboring house. Shingles were blown off at least one house. Power poles were blown over, and trees were down. At a residence three miles northwest of Wingo along Highway 58, the whole back porch of the residence was ripped off and blown into the bedroom and front yard.

Power lines were down, and stop lights were out in Mayfield.

Numerous trees were blown down across northeast, east central, and central Graves County. A wind gust to 62 mph was measured at the Mayfield-Graves County airport. Power was out in some rural locations for over 24 hours. In Mayfield, the roof of an American Legion post was extensively damaged. Damage estimates were near 100,000 dollars to completely repair the roof.

Strong gusty winds brought down a few tree limbs, causing isolated power outages.

Numerous large tree limbs and a few trees were blown down. Some power lines were brought down by falling trees. The damage was confined to a small residential area on the east side of Mayfield.

The macroburst containing winds up to 95 mph followed a path roughly parallel to Highway 121 across eastern Graves County. The damage path width was just over three miles. Widespread damage occurred in the Sedalia and Farmington areas. The roof was blown off a home. A large metal machine shed was partially unroofed. A number of large oak trees were blown down. A power pole was snapped along State Route 1890. Outdoor furniture was lifted off a deck and blown onto a roadway. The damage path continued into Calloway County.

A macroburst began on the southwest side of Mayfield and then proceeded east across the south side of Mayfield. Downed trees and power lines were widespread. A few homes were damaged by trees that landed on them. Some very large trees fell across roadways. The width of the macroburst was just over three miles. The damage path continued east-southeast for 26 miles through the Murray area into eastern Calloway County.

Top wind speeds were estimated near 105 mph. The average path width was 130 yards. Two dozen homes and several businesses received minor damage, mainly to shingles, siding, and fascia. There was moderate damage to one business, which was partially unroofed. Windows were blown out, and cars were moved over. Numerous trees and power lines were blown down. A high school football stadium was extensively damaged. The damage path began about one-quarter mile southeast of the Highway 80 and Purchase Parkway intersection. The moderately damaged business was located near the beginning of the damage path. A man was hospitalized after a section of wind-blown roof from the damaged business blew into the room he was in. The man suffered numerous cuts and broken bones. His house was heavily damaged. A 2x4 stud was driven by the wind and became embedded in a living room interior wall. The tornado damage path ended about one-half mile northeast of the intersection of Highways 45 and 121.

An outbuilding was destroyed. Debris from the wood-frame shed was carried across the street into a field. Farm equipment inside the shed was damaged. Power and phone lines were blown down.

Many trees were blown down near Water Valley. Trees and power lines blocked roads for six to seven hours.

Many trees were blown down near Water Valley. Trees and power lines blocked roads for six to seven hours.

The rubber roofing of an old motel was partially blown off. Some debris landed on vehicles, but none of the vehicles sustained major damage. Trees and power lines were blown down. A tree landed on a home, causing minor damage.

The tornado crossed from Hickman County into Graves County south of Water Valley. Two houses sustained minor to moderate roof damage. The roof of a pole barn was blown off. A camper was blown over. A small metal shed was destroyed. Kentucky 1219 was closed south of Water Valley near the Hickman County line due to downed trees and power lines. Near Water Valley, trees were down and building debris was on Route 94. The tornado tracked east-northeast to just south of Feliciana, then paralleled Highway 94 before dissipating. Peak winds were estimated near 95 mph.

The tornado crossed from Hickman County into Graves County south of Water Valley. Two houses sustained minor to moderate roof damage. The roof of a pole barn was blown off. A camper was blown over. A small metal shed was destroyed. Kentucky 1219 was closed south of Water Valley near the Hickman County line due to downed trees and power lines. Near Water Valley, trees were down and building debris was on Route 94. The tornado tracked east-northeast to just south of Feliciana, then paralleled Highway 94 before dissipating. Peak winds were estimated near 95 mph.

A few trees and power lines were blown down.

Numerous trees and power lines were blown down around the county. Cleanup crews were removing downed trees through the night and the following day. In Mayfield, about a dozen trees and large tree limbs were down throughout the community. Five power poles were snapped. The roof was blown off a baseball dugout, fencing was knocked down, and bleachers were damaged. In the Sedalia area, several trees were down, blocking Highways 381 and 303. A fallen tree damaged a house and a nearby propane tank. Metal was torn off hangars at the Mayfield-Graves County Airport. At least three barns were blown across highways across the county. One person was injured when their vehicle struck a downed tree on U.S. Highway 45 just south of Wingo. The steeple of a church was toppled.

Trees and power lines were down.

Numerous large trees were blown down. Kentucky Highway 58 was blocked by downed trees from near Kentucky 301 to the Marshall County line. Trees landed on power lines. At least a couple of trees landed on vehicles and outbuildings.

Straight-line thunderstorm winds estimated up to 85 MPH produced damage in the southeast corner of Graves County, about 150 yards from the Tennessee state line. Numerous trees and power lines were down.