Possible tornado reported

Kenneth Hart/The Independent

Grahn May 11, 2008 11:44 pm

— A series of severe storms, including a possible tornado, blew through northeastern Kentucky on Mother’s Day.
An unconfirmed report of a twister was received about 10:25 a.m. in the Goose Creek and Baker Hill areas of Grahn, in western Carter County. The storm, packing winds of more than 60 mph, extensively damaged eight to 10 homes, uprooted trees, demolished a barn and blew down utility poles.
No injuries were reported, Carter County 911 dispatcher Don Craft said.
Downed power lines lying across the roadway forced the closure of Ky. 182 until mid-afternoon. Electrical and telephone services were disrupted for a number of local residents.
A total of 227 Kentucky Power customers in Carter County were still without power Sunday night, according to the electric company’s Web site.
Emergency management officials, along with Carter County Judge-Executive Charles Wallace, surveyed the storm damage. They made the determination that the damage was not extensive enough for a disaster declaration, which would qualify the county for federal assistance. However, Carter Emergency Management Director Tommy Thompson said he planned to conduct another assessment today.
The Grahn Community Center in the former Grahn Elementary School building, was opened to provide meals for volunteers and emergency responders and emergency shelter for anyone who needed it.
Firefighters from the Grahn, Olive Hill, Carter City, Norton Branch, Hitchins and Grayson volunteer fire departments responded to the storm scene, along with Carter County Tactical Search and Rescue, Carter EMS and the Boyd County Emergency Management Agency.
KENNETH HART can be reached at khart@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2654.