Updated 6:26: The Tornado Warning has been extended until 7 p.m.
Updated 5:37 p.m.: A Tornado Watch has been issued until 6:15 p.m. in Christian County.
At 5:31 p.m., a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was located near Calvert City, moving east at 55 mph.
Updated 3:15 p.m.: A Tornado Watch has been issued by the National Weather Service in Paducah until 10 p.m. on May 16.
“The tornado watch has been expanded to include the entire Quad State area through much of this evening,” said a statement from NWS. “Strong tornadoes, hail to tennis ball size and hurricane wind gusts to 80 mph all possible through this evening.”
Previously:
HOPKINSVILLE, KY (CHRISTIAN COUNTY NOW) – Christian County and the surrounding area are at a moderate risk for severe weather on Friday. Multiple rounds of storms are likely to occur anywhere between 2 p.m. and 10 p.m.
On the National Weather Service’s severe weather scale, the potential for severe weather is ranked at 4 out of 5. All threats are anticipated including large hail, winds up to 70 mph, and possible tornadoes. Supercells are expected to form into an intense line of storms late in the afternoon and early this evening moving east to northeast.
The risk continues to rise, and residents are encouraged to make sure they have a good place to seek shelter if necessary. In response the Crofton Tornado Shelter, located at 13511 North Madisonville Road, will be open on May 15 at 3 p.m. Animals will not be permitted in the shelter but can be housed in a facility next door if needed.
“Conditions appear very volatile – similar to some of the significant severe weather events we have seen over the past couple of years,” said a statement from NWS. “Today is a day where it will be important to maintain close watch on the weather, have adequate shelter available and be prepared to take quick action if warnings are issued and severe weather threatens.”
Find updates about the status of tornado shelter on the Crofton Tornado Shelter Facebook page.