Remembrance event tonight at Leestown campus of BCTC
LEXINGTON, Ky. (May 27, 2014) — On the evening of Thursday, May 27, 2004, most people in Lexington’s Masterson Station neighborhood were getting ready to turn in. The National Weather Service had issued a tornado watch earlier in the evening, but nothing had happened. Until 10 p.m.
An F3 tornado ripped a path through Lexington’s north side with 170 mph winds. The storm damaged dozens of homes and caused millions of dollars in damage. When the storm lifted 30 minutes later, five people were injured, none fatally. Emergency management, police, fire, and public safety crews rushed in to assess the damage and assist the injured and those now homeless.
Ten years later, the threat of a destructive tornado ripping through Lexington still exists. Even though warning systems have improved and citizens are more aware of severe weather threats, a tornado can hit Lexington at any time of the year and any time day or night.
To mark this anniversary, the Lexington Division of Emergency Management is holding a reflection and preparedness meeting tonight from 6 to 8 at the Leestown Campus of the Bluegrass Community and Technical College. The meeting will be held in Room C136 of Building C, located at 164 Opportunity Way. The event is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served.
“This tornado was one of the most devastating natural disasters in Lexington,” said Pat Dugger, Director of the Division of Emergency Management. “We were all lucky that there were no deaths and few serious injuries.”
The meeting will feature presentations from the Division of Emergency Management, the National Weather Service, and organizations that specialize in recovering from natural disasters.
More information about emergency preparedness is available from the Division of Emergency Management website, available at BeReadyLexington.com or lexingtonky.gov/dem.
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