Twister!
Damage reports after storm tears through town
BEREA — Area residents were shocked out of bed around 2:30 this morning, as emergency warning sirens blared across town as a tornado warning was issued by the National Weather Service. The warning lasted until 3:45 AM. It was the first time a possible tornado was thought to have impacted Berea in at least 17 years, according to the interim fire chief.
At 2:45 AM, CBS Lexington affiliate, WKYT, reported a tornado warning for Berea. The Edge is currently attempting to confirm with the Emergency Management Agency in Richmond whether there was an actual tornado that touched down, and will update this story accordingly.
The Edge asked Berea Interim Fire Chief Charlie Russell when Berea had an actual confirmed tornado. “I think the last one was in 2008,” Russell said.
Damage reports
Reports in various Berea Facebook chats seemed to indicate no major harm to life or limb, but a tour of the main roads through town did evidence downed trees, power outages, and debris that was blown about, The Edge can report. Creeks in the area are also swollen and fast moving, but haven’t yet overcome their banks.
Residents at 328 Forest St. were unaware a massive tree had narrowly missed collapsing on their roof until a reporter informed them with a picture by text.
“We didn’t even know!” Steve Bolster, who lives there, said.
“We were sheltering in the basement and heard a big swooshing sound and I didn’t know what it was, but now I think it was the tree,” Bolster said. “It just missed destroying our house.”
When asked if he’d heard the wind storm go by, Bolster said, “Oh yes. It was loud.”
Russell said the fire department has been responding to several storm-related calls this morning. “We’ve had several downed power lines and some fallen trees,” Russell said. He is not aware of any storm-related injuries, he said.
Power outage information
Portable basketball nets, not one of which seemed to have been left upright, were also common storm victims.
Also, downed trees along Estill Street towards Glades Road, and sporadic power outages, especially north of town such as along Peggy Flats Road, and near North Powell Avenue.
Reviewing the power outage maps for the cooperatives serving our area, it looks like at least 2,000 Bereans are without power.
If you are a Blue Grass Energy co-operative member, and are without power, here is a tool for seeing exactly which streets are affected and when the power co-op expects power to be restored. You can also call: 888-655-4243. Other cooperatives with outages can be viewed here.
More severe weather to come
The NWS office in Louisville has issued a a flood watch through Sunday morning as more torrential rains are expected through Saturday. The office has also issued a hazardous weather warning in advance of more severe storms expected in our area this afternoon and evening as a cold front inches its way through the region, smacking into the warmer air left behind by the previous system.
The last time a tornado did substantial damage to Berea was in 1996, when it ripped up North Broadway, downing power lines, damaging buildings, Memorial Park, and trees along the street. When that area was rebuilt, the power lines were reinstalled beneath the street, the only place in Berea where the power lines are not overhead.
If you have any storm-related information to share, please message The Edge publisher, Whitney McKnight.
This story was updated at 11:12 AM on Thursday, April 3, 2025, to reflect that emergency officials have yet to confirm it was a tornado. Future updates are expected.