Beech Tree News Network

Strong storms with high winds, heavy rain, and powerful lightning swept through Butler County and much of the surrounding region yesterday afternoon causing widespread damage.  The first thunderstorm watches and warnings were issued for Butler County shortly after 5 p.m. as what started as sporadic pop-up storms quickly turned severe and more concentrated.  There were also reports of damaging hail and winds in excess of 40 miles per hour associated with these storms, according to Beech Tree Meterologist Landon Hampton.    

Butler County emergency personnel, Emergency Management Director Terry Hunt, law enforcement officers, firemen, the BC Rescue Squad, Butler County EMS, along with crews from WarrenRECC and the State Highway Department, were busy yesterday afternoon and early last night dealing downed power lines, multiple power outages, roads blocked due to fallen trees, and at least one vehicle accident at the KY 70-79 intersection near KY Crossroads Market.  The accident involved two vehicles and took place when the storm was at its height.  No injuries were reported.

In other storm-related news, at least two trailers were significantly damaged by trees - one at 1123 Cool Springs Road and another at 1817 Caneyville Road.  

A call came into dispatch at approximatley 7:11 from Faron McKinney, who lives at the Cool Springs residence.

"I was standing inches from the kitchen when the tree came through and wiped it out," said McKinney.  According to McKinney, the tree entered the house, destroyed the kitchen, and then landed on two vehicles in the driveway - a truck and a car.     

The residence on Caneyville Road belongs to Donald and Lavone Phelps, neither of whom were injured.

High winds raised the front porch at Ernie Embry's residence on Brownsville Road, causing the columns to buckle.  Embry also lost two trees in his back yard.  

Trees were also down on the road leading to the river at Aberdeen, on Logansport Road, KY 79 near Aberdeen, and many others across the county.    

There were also reports that lightning hit the Rite-Aid store in Morgantown at around 6:58 p.m. causing a small fire on the roof that was put out by the rain.

Morgantown Care and Rehabilitation Center has also been without power and generators have been set-up to maintain critical health-care equipment.  

Butler County's 911 service went down shortly after 7 p.m.  

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remained in effect for Butler County until 10 p.m.

Stay connected to Beech Tree News and WLBQ 1570 AM for the latest on storm-related news.