Planning for Lexington’s next tornado: 15 years after the Masterson Station twister

On the evening of Thursday, May 27, 2004, most people in Lexington’s Masterson Station neighborhood were getting ready to turn in. The National Weather Service had issued a tornado watch earlier in the evening, but nothing had happened. Until 10 p.m.

An F3 tornado ripped a path through Lexington’s north side with 170 mph winds. The storm damaged dozens of homes and caused millions of dollars in damage. When the storm lifted 30 minutes later, five people were injured, none fatally. Emergency management, police, fire, and public safety crews rushed in to assess the damage and assist the injured and those now homeless.

Fifteen years later, the threat of a destructive tornado ripping through Lexington still exists. Even though warning systems have improved and citizens are more aware of severe weather threats, a tornado can hit Lexington at any time of the year and any time day or night.

May and June are particularly active times for tornado and severe storm activity.

There’s more on tornado preparedness and severe thunderstorm preparedness on the BeReadyLexington website.

More information about emergency preparedness is available on the Lexington Emergency Management Facebook page (LexingtonKYEM); and on our Twitter feed (@lexkyem).