Mayfield tornado upgraded to EF-4, traveled nearly 166 miles across Kentucky, NWS says
The tornado hit the Mayfield, Kentucky, area on Friday, Dec. 10.
Mayfield, Kentucky, tornado upgraded to EF-4
The Mayfield, Kentucky, tornado has been given a preliminary damage rating of EF-4 with winds that topped 190 mph, the National Weather Service said Wednesday afternoon.
The Mayfield, Kentucky, tornado has been given a preliminary damage rating of EF-4 with winds that topped 190 mph, the National Weather Service said Wednesday afternoon.
The long-track tornado traveled an astounding 165.7 miles from Fulton County to Muhlenberg County in western Kentucky on Friday evening.
![Preliminary storm survey for the Mayfield, Kentucky, tornado.](https://images.foxweather.com/static.foxweather.com/www.foxweather.com/content/uploads/2021/12/668/376/Mayfield-Tornado-Stats-1.png?ve=1&tl=1)
Preliminary storm survey for the Mayfield, Kentucky, tornado.
(FOX Weather)
The NWS initially gave the tornado a rating of EF-3, but they brought in a team of experts specializing in high-end tornado ratings to help further their investigation.
The Mayfield tornado was one of 52 confirmed tornadoes to hit the heartland during the outbreak.
The EF-4 tornado left the town of Mayfield unrecognizable to some who have lived there for years.
The tornado destroyed a candle factory, killing at least eight people.
![](https://images.foxweather.com/static.foxweather.com/www.foxweather.com/content/uploads/2021/12/668/376/GettyImages-1237200714.jpg?ve=1&tl=1)
MAYFIELD, KENTUCKY - DECEMBER 12: An aerial photo shows a damage as cleanup efforts continue after tornado hit Mayfield, Kentucky, United States on December 12, 2021. (Photo by Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)