By AP
Hopkinsville, KY – Authorities in Christian County believe a strong tornado crashed thrugh an area just north of Hopkinsville Sunday night, damaging homes, knocking down power lines and even steel transmission towers.
Emergency Management director Matt Snorton says people reported hearing the freight train sound of a tornado. An estimated 36 people were treated for injuries ranging from bruises and lacerations to broken bones.
The National Weather Service is surveying several areas where suspected tornadic activity was reported and they expect to have a full report.
The Sinking Fork Baptist Church was destroyed and there were so many trees and large limbs down that many roads were impassable.
Christian County authorities have declared a state of emergency.
Police say it took an hour for emergency responders to get to one storm victim because debris in the road forced them to walk.
Many people were injured in car accidents after running into trees on roadways or swerving to avoid them. The National Weather Service reported damage to houses and buildings from straight-line winds and fallen trees.
Authorities say tornadoes are suspected to have touched down in Todd, Logan, Warren, Hancock and eastern jefferson Counties as well as Christian.
There were cars overturned in scattered areas of western Kentucky, including Lewisburg in Logan County.