Update: Two Tornadoes Struck Hickman Thursday

The National Weather Service says two tornadoes apparently hit Hickman Thursday night, causing significant damage there.

Meteorologist Jim Packett in Paducah says officials surveyed damage in Fulton County on Friday. The preliminary findings are that the area had an EF-1 tornado and an EF-2 tornado, as well as straight line winds Thursday night.

The EF1 with wind speeds up to 110 mph began around Levee Road and traveled about 6 miles southeast to the area of Highway 94/Joe Parker Road. The EF2 with wind speeds up to 125 mph began around Cedar Street/Park Street and traveled about 9 miles southeast to the area of Mount Zion/Armstrong Road, east of Union Mills, Tennessee.

National Weather Service officials were set to continue surveying damage to the northwest and into Tennessee on Saturday.

Kentucky State Police say the Kentucky Office of Emergency Management is continuing their assessment. So far it has discovered damage to approximately 25 homes and 5 businesses. They have also noted damage to 30-40 headstones in the city cemetery. Damage along the EF1 tornado path was mainly to farm buildings and crops and is described as widespread. Damage along the EF2 tornado path was significant with at least one residence completely destroyed.

Hickman Electric is still in the process of restoring electricity to customers, with the majority completed. 

Police say the number of displaced residents of Hickman City/Fulton County has been minimal, due to the close-knit community helping each other. 

The American Red Cross Shelter was closed Friday night due to lack of need. An assessment will be made by Fulton County Emergency Management tonight, with regard to the weather and if people are still without power.

All roads have been reopened and are expected to remain open. There are no gas stations open in the City of Hickman, and may not be open until the latter part of the week, so people entering the area should plan accordingly.

State Police say Hickman City’s Waste Lift Station has returned to full function, and contractors are currently in the process of returning the Fulton County Jail/Dispatch Center to full functional status.

Donation and Volunteer Services are being coordinated by West Hickman Baptist Church on South 7th Street.