The November 15, 2005 tornado

Rating

F4

Fujita scale

Path length

15.0 mi

Width up to 800 yards

Killed

0

Along the whole path

Injured

40

Along the whole path

Date and time

Tuesday, November 15, 2005

3:27 PM CST

That day

49

tornadoes in the U.S.; every one, with a replay of the day

This violent tornado reached its peak intensity on the north side of Earlington, near the beginning of its track. Peak winds there were estimated near 220 MPH. Several houses in this area, on either side of U.S. Highway 41, were levelled. Large oak trees were reduced to nubs, and the ground was scoured to bare dirt. A steel beam was carried some distance and became wedged against trees and other debris. 24 people were treated for injuries at a local hospital, and three of the injuries were critical. About 151 homes and buildings were destroyed, 67 suffered major damage, and 303 received minor damage. Damage indications, as well as eyewitness accounts, indicate the occurrence of multiple vortices near Earlington. The tornado continued northeast and weakened, crossing the Pennyrile Parkway at mile marker 41. The tornado lifted less than a mile from the Mclean County border. The average path width was 525 yards. The tornado was close to a half mile wide in places.

NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database.

• Hopkins CountyKY