Tornado Outbreak Death Toll Now Up To 27 - Courier Journal

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Ising and thousands of others spent yesterday cleaning up after thunderstorms packing tornadoes ripped through eight states, killing at least 27 and destroying hundreds of homes. Tennessee was hit hardest, with tornadoes striking five western counties and killing 23 people.

The National Weather Service's Storm Prediction Center in Norman, Okla., said it had preliminary reports of 63 tornadoes. Although no one was killed in Kentucky or Indiana, tens of thousands were without power, as the winds pushed over trees and peeled back roofs.

In Western Kentucky, Christian County's emergency management director said at least three dozen people were injured in what the weather service classified as a F3 tornado with peak winds estimated at 180 mph. Touring the stricken areas, Gov. Ernie Fletcher issued an executive order declaring a state of emergency and directed the Kentucky National Guard to be on standby to send troops to affected areas.

"The devastation to parts of Kentucky is tremendous, and our thoughts and prayers go out to those who are suffering as a result of this storm, as well as to those families in Tennessee who have lost loved ones," Fletcher said in a statement.

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http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060404/NEWS01/604040362

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1. It was a nerve wracking day for all of us.

I was lucky--very.