14 News, The Tri-State's News and Weather Leader-Daviess Co. town most tornado-prone in KY

Daviess Co. town most tornado-prone in KY

By Ben Garbarek   bio | email

MAXWELL, KY (WFIE)- A small research company says they've added up the numbers and find the small community of Maxwell in Western Kentucky is the most tornado prone area in the entire state.

"We pretty much really keep an eye on the weather to see how close it's getting," said Vicky Renfrow a Maxwell resident.

And that's a good idea. Vortek researchers studied the number of tornado touchdowns within a twenty mile area thru out the commonwealth of Kentucky, and found Maxwell was at the top of the list.

When 14 News first heard about this story, we spoke to several local officials that not only had never heard of Maxwell, Kentucky, but weren't even sure which county it belongs to.

It's actually located in three counties: Ohio, McLean and Daviess.

"To have within your county what a research company has come to find out is the most prone area for tornado touchdowns in the whole Commonwealth of Kentucky is a pretty large statement to make," said Richard Payne of Daviess County Emergency Management.

But, these researchers say they have the numbers to back it up. Since 1950, they say, thirty two tornadoes have touched down in a twenty mile radius of Maxwell.

"It seems like here lately," Payne said.  "In the last several years we have been prone for more severe weather than we have had in the past."

Still that doesn't scare some Maxwell residents.

"I was born and raised here," said Ellis.  "I'll stay here."