The strongest tornado was an F4 tornado on the Fujita scale; it occurred in the vicinity of Earlington and Madisonville, Kentucky. It was also the only violent tornado documented in 2005.
Meteorological synopsis
The Storm Prediction Center of the National Weather Service in Norman, Oklahoma had issued a "high risk" for severe weather over an area from northern Mississippi to central Indiana.[3] Such a declaration is unusual (particularly for November) and means that there is a significant threat for severe thunderstorms with widespread tornadic activity. When the first tornado watches of the afternoon were issued, the SPC had declared a Particularly Dangerous Situation (PDS) for destructive tornadoes in several of the tornado watches, a highly unusual alert which notifies that frequent and dangerous tornadoes are possible, and by late that evening, no less than 49 tornadoes (including ten strong tornadoes and one violent tornado) were confirmed, and several more unconfirmed tornadoes were reported (and later confirmed as microbursts).[4][5][6][7] Fortunately, the tornadoes were centered over more rural areas and damage was scattered but severe over many communities. There were numerous injuries, but remarkably, only one person was killed. The low casualty toll was likely due to the fact the outbreak was well-predicted and primarily occurred in the afternoon when people are most aware of the situation.
This was the third major tornado outbreak of November 2005, the other two being in Evansville, Indiana on November 6 (killing 25 people) and in much of Iowa on November 12 (killing one person). There was another major outbreak in the same general area on November 27 and 28, killing two people.
An old equipment shed was destroyed, and a couple of power lines were downed near that shed. A large, partially rotten tree was snapped off about halfway up.[8][9]
Moderate damage occurred on the western side of Lilbourn. A couple of mobile homes were pushed several feet off of their foundations. Several projectiles were embedded into one of the mobile homes. A considerable amount of debris was stuck in the trees in the area. Numerous trees were either sheared off or blown down. A minivan was turned slightly, and a couple of small outbuildings were damaged or destroyed. Near the end of the tornado track in North Lilbourne, a couple of farm trailers and a couple of empty semi trailers were overturned. Two people were injured.[8][9]
Much of the path was through Stephen A. Forbes State Park, where extensive tree damage occurred. Some machine sheds, outbuildings, and a 32-foot travel trailer were all destroyed. Three farms were also damaged, and one house lost its entire roof.[8][9]
Tornado downed numerous trees and power lines as it moved directly through Newton. The majority of the structural damage impacted outbuildings, barns, and grain bins. Eleven outbuildings were severely damaged or destroyed. Three houses sustained minor damage. One attached garage was destroyed, and the debris was carried 150 yards downwind.[8][9]
In Crockett County, one house was shifted off its foundation, and others sustained shingle damage; in Dyer, the tornado damaged 25 houses as well as several businesses. Mobile homes and some utility sheds were also damaged in multiple locations.[8][9]
One house was significantly damaged. Two mobile homes and several other houses were damaged to a lesser extent. Many trees were blown down or uprooted as well.[8][9]
A strong tornado destroyed several manufacturing facilities and about 30 houses, with another 70 houses sustaining damage of some degree. The Henry County emergency management center took a direct hit from the tornado and was forced to relocate. The tornado briefly displayed a twin funnel and injured 13 people.[8][9]
This strong tornado snapped numerous large trees and damaged multiple houses, nearly destroying one of them. Two trailer homes were pushed off their foundations, and a barn was destroyed. One person was injured.[8][9]
1 death – This strong, long-tracked tornado began near Mayfield, downing trees and damaging garages and outbuildings. In Calloway County, additional tree and outbuilding damage occurred. In Marshall County, the tornado reached F3 intensity as it passed just south of Benton. The tornado then crossed the Kentucky Lake and devastated the Hillman Ferry Campground where 115 RVs were destroyed, along with a dock and several boats, Nineteen houses were destroyed, 36 others sustained major damage, and 65 more received minor damage. A man was killed when his mobile home was thrown 40 feet. The tornado damaged several more houses at F2 intensity near Lake Barkley before dissipating. This tornado was on the ground for 65 minutes, and about 20 people were injured.[8][9]
Violent multi-vortex tornado first struck Earlington where houses were leveled, trees were "reduced to nubs," and the ground was reportedly scoured to bare soil. Windspeeds were estimated at 220 miles per hour here. A steel beam was carried through the air and found wedged against trees and other debris. Damage also occurred along the east side of Madisonville. A total of 151 houses and buildings were destroyed, 67 others sustained major damage, and 303 more showed minor damage. At least 40 people were injured. This was the only violent tornado that occurred in 2005.[8][9]
Tornado struck the north side of town. Three businesses, six houses, and numerous barns and outbuildings were damaged. Initially thought to have been straight-line winds.[8][9]
Tornado destroyed a barn and an outbuilding, and damaged several others. A few houses had shingles torn off, and hundreds of trees were knocked down or broken off. A few power poles were also knocked down.[8][9]
In Daviess County, the K&K Industries plant was destroyed, trapping several employees. A total of 123 houses and 20 businesses in the county were damaged or destroyed. In Martin County, F1 intensity damage occurred. 31 people were injured.[8][9]
A large hog farm was severely damaged, and an old farmhouse was blown off its foundation. At least 25 properties were damaged in this largely rural area, with six declared total losses. One person was injured. This tornado came from the same supercell that produced the previous F1 and F3 tornadoes.[8][9]
A house sustained roof damage, several trees and power lines were downed, and grain elevator augers were overturned. The tornado crossed Interstate 69, which resulted in a “semi truck” being blown off the highway.[8][9]
A service station received moderate roof damage and had its awning partially torn off. Numerous trees were snapped and twisted in this vicinity. A house sustained shingle damage and had a window blown out. Extensive power line damage occurred, and a pump house was destroyed as well.[8][9]
