Strong storms sweep through Pulaski

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June 10, 2009

By TRICIA NEAL and HEATHER PYLES The Commonwealth Journal Wed Jun 10, 2009, 07:27 PM EDT

Somerset — If you were spared rough weather yesterday, you probably weren’t in eastern Pulaski County — and you probably won’t be so lucky in the coming days.

A harsh storm whipped through the White Lily and Mount Victory areas of Pulaski County yesterday afternoon, blowing over several large trees and downing power lines.

“There’s quite a bit of damage between Shopville and Mt. Victory,” said White Lily Volunteer fire fighter James Kriege, who helped with clean-up efforts along Ky. 192. “A lot of trees down.”

The storm carved a path from the Shopville community across hills and valleys into White Lily, then Mount Victory, which is located around 15 miles east of Somerset near the Laurel County line.

A tornado warning went into effect at approximately 4:30 p.m. yesterday afternoon, but much of Pulaski County only experienced a typical summer thunderstorm.

“The tornado warning was for southeast and central Pulaski County, which mainly covered the Mount Victory area,” said county public safety director Tiger Robinson.

“There were only straight-line winds. There were no reports of (tornado) touchdowns.”

Kriege said he saw a funnel cloud with rotation from his home in Ferguson, but no touchdown.

“I told my wife and kids ‘Come look at this,’” Kriege said.

Soon after that, Kriege, along with other volunteer fire fighters, were on their way out Ky. 192 to help clear the road.

“I liked to have never gotten out here,” Kriege said about the numerous downed trees that blocked the highway.

White Lily and Mount Victory residents trying to get home yesterday afternoon were met with flooded roadways caused by debris-filled culverts. Kriege said one section of Ky. 192, located about eight miles east of Somerset, was under a foot of flood water for a short period of time.

White Lily fire fighters and relatives helped resident Brenda Ward work to clear her driveway of a fallen tree so she could return home yesterday afternoon.

“We moved three trees on the way out here,” Ward said.

A small stream flood advisory and a flash flood watch lasted until late last night.

More inclement weather — with the possibility of severe storms — is forecast today and over the next several days.

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