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Deadly storm breaks record for longest tornado track in Kentucky history

The tornado that ripped through Western Kentucky on December 10 broke the 1974 record for longest track.

KENTUCKY, USA — According to the National Weather Service (NWS), preliminary data shows the Western Kentucky tornado that went through Mayfield Friday, December 10th, broke the previous record for the longest tornado track in Kentucky's history. In Kentucky alone, the tornado traveled 163.6 miles. This more than doubles the previous record of 79 miles set back during the April 3, 1974, known as the Super Outbreak.

Credit: WHAS11, NWS

The NWS out of Paducah said the tornado moved into Kentucky about 5.5 miles southwest of Cayce, Ky (Fulton County) at 8:56 PM (CST), and travel northeast.
According the NWS out of Louisville, the tornado ended at 11:45 PM (CST) four miles West of McDaniels, KY (Breckinridge County). 

Preliminary information from the NWS out of Paducah states the tornado produced EF-4 damage, with an estimated peak wind speed at 190 mph. The width of the tornado's path was a mile or more. Surveys are still ongoing and more information will be released.

Credit: NWS, WHAS11

As the tornado tracked through Ohio County and parts of Breckinridge and Grayson Counties, the NWS out of Louisville said the tornado was anywhere between an EF-0 and EF-3.

The supercell storm originated out of Arkansas Friday evening. Preliminary surveys from the NWS out of Memphis, TN states, the storm produced two brief tornadoes before producing it's first long-track tornado. The long track EF-4 tornado started near Bay, AR at 7:07 PM (CST). It traveled 80.4 miles through Missouri and into Tennessee. The weather service's report states the tornado lifted at 8:36 PM (CST) 2.6 miles east-northeast of Samburg, TN.

NWS officials out of Memphis confirmed that there were two long track tornadoes. Between the two tornadoes, officials stated there was a break for approximately 11 miles. 

Credit: WHAS11

The NWS stated that parent long-lived supercell, that produced the multiple tornadoes, traveled over 350 miles.

The deadly tornado caused catastrophic damage to many cities in Western Kentucky, including Mayfield.

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