HOPKINSVILLE, KY (CHRISTIAN COUNTY NOW) – After storms struck the Pennyrile area on Sunday, May 26, emergency crews have been hard at work assessing damage, restoring power and clearing debris. At Tuesday’s Christian County Fiscal Court meeting, Randy Graham with Christian County Emergency Management, gave an overview of ongoing damage from the storm.
On Monday, a written state of emergency declaration for Christian County was handed over to the state. Graham specified that the City of Hopkinsville avoided the worst of the damage, with the majority of storm damage hitting southern Christian County.
“This is going to be a multi-million-dollar disaster for Christian County,” Graham told the magistrates. A damage assessment done by CCEM has determined up to four structures will have to be torn down due to damage, with 13 structures seeing major damage and around 40 structures facing minor damage.
Graham continued to tell the court that these numbers do not properly reflect rural damage. He has heard from local farmers that a high number of active grain systems, barns and farm equipment had been damaged as well. Crews with the National Weather Service will be in the county this week to do their assessment of the area and determine the extent of the storm.
Power outages and road closures
Pembroke Fire Department has been working non-stop to clear debris from fallen trees, while also volunteering to assist the counties of Hopkins and Mullenberg. High water from roadways have subsided, but downed power lines are still affecting traffic. US 41 is currently blocked from Lover’s Lane to I-24.
As of Tuesday morning, around 6,000 people in Christian County still do not have power, and over 100 electric poles will need to be replaced.
Pennyrile Electric and HES/EnergyNet both have had crews out since the storm to restore power and have been slowly making progress. Christian County Animal Shelter is without power, but they are still accepting strays at this time. Meanwhile, Bluegrass Splash Waterpark is closed until power can return, having to delay their Memorial Day opening.
The majority of Pembroke residents do not have power, but the city has released a statement saying their City Hall has powered up a generator on the premises to allow people to charge their devices until 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday. Salem Baptist Church in Pembroke has opened their gym for those in need of hot showers. People interested need to bring their own hygiene supplies.
Back at the Fiscal Court meeting, the magistrates admired the sense of community spirit in aiding those affected, and collectively thanked all emergency services for stepping up and helping, even as the weather continued to worsen.
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