A squall line of thunderstorms with expected straight line wind gusts of around 60 mph pushed through Russell Springs and outlying communities around 3 p.m. Thursday, prompting a severe thunderstorm warning from the National Weather Service and causing significant damage at several locations in the city limits and in the Fairview community, among other areas.
The roof at Henson Ace Hardware in Russell Springs was partially blown off, damaging a vehicle and an adjacent business in the process. In the Fairview community there were numerous reports of damage with downed trees, power lines, damage to roofs and business signs among the reported destruction.
The National Weather Service will be in Russell County on Friday to conduct a damage survey before an actual determination is made.
Local fire departments and law enforcement, city employees, and Russell County Emergency Management all responded to numerous calls throughout the event.
South Kentucky RECC and Duo Broadband also responded to numerous downed or damaged poles. At one point, approximately 700 RECC customers in Russell County were without power Thursday afternoon, according to the cooperative.
Local electric crews from South Kentucky RECC and Kentucky Utilities were working into the night to restore power and repair damaged power lines.
