The snapped trees and damage to buildings in Boone, Kenton, Gallatin counties in Northern Kentucky and Switzerland County in Indiana on Wednesday was caused by straightline winds, not tornadoes, the National Weather Service determined after a survey of the area Thursday.
The storms produced five tornadoes, damaging winds, large hail, and flash flooding. More surveys will be conducted Friday.
Waves of severe weather moved through the region early to mid-morning Wednesday. A tornado warning was issued for Northern Kentucky counties about 7 a.m. Wednesday.
An EF0 tornado touched down in Anderson Township and an EF1 tornado touched down in Amelia. Damage in Leesburg, Greenfield and New Market in Highland County, Ohio, was also found to be from tornadoes. The New Market tornado was an EF1 tornado, the other two that touched down in Highland County were EF0 tornadoes.
Straightline wind damage was also found in Alexandria in Campbell County.
The survey Thursday in Northern Kentucky and Southeast Indiana included many areas but focused on the Bethel Ridge Road area of Switzerland County, much of central Boone County, much of central Kenton County and much of Gallatin County.
Surveyors found multiple swaths of wind damage consistent with nontornadic winds with speeds of 65 to 85 mph.
Much of this damage was to home and business roofing and widespread tree damage, with many hardwood and softwood trees snapped or uprooted. A few barns and outbuildings were completely destroyed.
The Enhanced Fujita Scale classifies tornadoes into the following categories:
EF0: wind speeds 65 to 85 mph.
EF1: wind speeds 86 to 110 mph.
EF2: wind speeds 111 to 135 mph.
EF3: wind speeds 136 to 165 mph.
EF4: wind speeds 166 to 200 mph.
EF5: wind speeds greater than 200 mph.
by The Enquirer
Published 6:49 a.m. ET March 3, 2017 | Updated 7:51 a.m. ET March 3, 2017
