Hold on to your hats because event #29 is on our Top-40 list and the #1 significant event of 2023 is a windy one.

A very powerful early spring storm charged over our area. So powerful that it set low-pressure records at Paducah and across our area. This is the first time we had sub 980mb low-pressure winds across the area. This was the low-pressure equivalent of a Category 1 hurricane. As a result, we had consistent gusty winds of 50 to 70MPH winds for several hours, especially after a squall line passed through which also produced up to 70MPH winds and a few tornadoes across McCracken, Union, and Henderson Counties.

What Makes This Event Significant

• This storm set barometric pressure records across the area at both Paducah and Evansville.
• Sadly this event did produce 2 fatalities in Logan and Simpson County due to damage from the high winds that were gusts up to and in excess of 70MPH
• Widespread power outages occurred. The worst and most widespread power outages since the 2009 Ice Storm. It took up to 5 days to get everyone restored. The combination of trees down, property damage, and economic losses due to extended power outages likely caused damages well into the millions if not tens of millions across the area.

Links

https://www.weather.gov/lmk/2023-03-04-KentuckyandSouthernIndiana-HighWinds

https://www.wpkyonline.com/2023/03/03/photos-march-3-storm-damage-across-the-area/news-edge/