Published: June 16, 2009 09:05 pm      

Storm sirens sound, but little damage done in Pulaski

The tornado sirens wailed for a good 45 minutes in Somerset amid reports of funnel clouds and downed trees, but those in southern and southeast Pulaski County seem to have gotten the worst of the line of storms that blew through the area yesterday.

Tuesday’s inclement weather started around 5 p.m. when a line of severe thunderstorms moved east across the area. Those storms brought heavy rains and strong winds to parts of the county, but other areas in northern Pulaski County saw little more than rain and a slight wind.

A tornado warning was issued for the entire county at approximately 5 p.m., and some reports filtered in about possible funnel clouds over communities such as Ferguson. Those reports could not be confirmed.

The Tateville community, located south of Burnside, seemed to be one of the hardest hit areas in the county. The strong winds took down numerous trees and power lines, blocking roads and littering yards.

Pulaski County Sheriff Todd Wood said early reports to the 9-1-1 dispatch suggested around 500 people were without power in the Tateville area as a result of the fierce storms. Power began to be restored to the community at app-roximately 7:30 p.m. Tuesday.

“We don’t have any direct reports ... from storm damage,” Wood said.

Wood said another 500 people in the Mt. Victory area, east of Somerset near the Laurel County line, also reported power outages.

The tornado warning in Pulaski County expired at approximately 5:45 p.m.

As the storms moved east possible funnel clouds were reported in Laurel and Knox counties as well, but those accounts could not be confirmed.

A slight chance of thunderstorms is exp-ected for today and Thursday’s forecast is expected to be humid, sunny and hot.