20th Anniversary Today of Crittenden F-3 Tornado

It's a reminder that tornadoes in the Ohio Valley can be devastating even in winter, as today commemorates 20 years since a pair of F-3 twisters hit western Kentucky. The first damaged 100 homes in Crittenden and Webster counties, and the second added 750 more homes in Owensboro.

On the afternoon of January 3, 2000, the first tornado traveled 15 miles from the Crayne community along the Crittenden/Caldwell county line to Diamond in Webster County. Both communities suffered severe damage from the 160 mile-per-hour winds, but luckily just a handful of injuries were reported along its quarter-mile wide path.

About 30 minutes later, a second tornado packing 180-mph winds touched down in Owensboro. On its 7-mile long, half-mile wide path, 750 homes were damaged and 50 were totally destroyed, along with damage to dozens of businesses downtown.

Between the two twisters, media reports said 22 people were injured, and property damage was later estimated at $70 million. More than 20,000 people were without power after the storm.

The storm front had impacts across the region. Cape Girardeau had 100-mph wind gusts, and a 130-mph downburst occurred near Carbondale.  

Flash flooding was also a concern after 4 to 8 inches of rain fell in 24 hours from Paducah to Henderson and Madisonville.