CHAPLIN, Ky. (WDRB) -- An EF-1 tornado was confirmed in Nelson County from damage surveys by the National Weather Service in Louisville. 

The preliminary survey showed a tornado with 90 mile per hour winds touched down northeast of Chaplin. Images from the area show a metal building was severely damaged and debris was scattered in the area along Lawrenceburg and Hahn Ridge roads. 

A strong line of storms with high winds and heavy rain moved through parts of Kentucky and southern Indiana on Tuesday morning. 

One Chaplin, Kentucky, family lost their home and is now left picking up the pieces. For much of the morning they, with the help of neighbors and friends, sorted through what was left of the home on Lawrence Road. 

Six people were in the home when the storm hit around 9 a.m., and they all hid in a closet as it approached. As soon as it was over, they said they smelled gas, grabbed their shoes, jumped in their trucks and went to a neighbor's house.

The National Weather Service was in the area conducting surveys, and said the path of destruction from the EF-1 tornado is spotty, covering about one mile. While many homes had shingles ripped off, and a few barns suffered major damage, no injuries were reported.

"It did skip down there on Hahn Ridge Road, but this is very typical. A lot of roof damage, a lot of tree damage, twisting and turning of the debris, mainly toward the northeast, east, and southeasterly direction," said John Gordon, a meteorologist with the NWS. "The tornado pulls in and pulls things away, and spreads out and twists as it's pulling on the foundation, lifts up so you have lost part of the roof, that is due to stress on all of the support beams, the support boards, and it's horrible."

The family said they're just happy to be alive. All of their livestock and pets are OK as well, but cleaning up what's left of their home will take a while. They don't think there is much to salvage and, at this point, will probably have to tear the rest down. 

Beshear declares State of Emergency 

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear declared a state of emergency Tuesday after storms swept through the state starting Monday night. 

The storms produced heavy rain, hail, lightning, possible tornadoes and damaging winds. There have been reports of damage to property, and thousands of Kentuckians are without power. 

"We have reports of substantial damage to a number of structures – and thankfully, as of right now we are not aware of any fatalities," Beshear said in a news release. "We need all Kentuckians to stay weather aware as we brace for more severe weather throughout the afternoon and evening."

Beshear closed all Executive Branch state office buildings at 1 p.m. Tuesday and activated the Kentucky Emergency Operations Center in Frankfort. 

The governor also activated the state's price gouging laws to protect residents from overpriced goods and services, as they recover from the storms. 

More storms are expected to roll in Tuesday afternoon into the evening.

"We have more severe weather on the way, and the most important thing we can do right now is make sure everyone has a plan to stay safe," Beshear said in an updated news release Tuesday afternoon.

As of 3:42 p.m., the governor said no injuries had been reported in the state from the storms. He also said 31,650 power outages were reported statewide.

Just before 4 p.m. Tuesday, Louisville Gas & Electric/Kentucky Utilities reported 9,476 customers without power. Most of those outages are centered around the Lexington area, according to its outage map. To monitor power outages and estimated restoration times through LG&E, click here.

In Indiana, there were less than 1,000 outages, with many of them centered in the area northeast of Seymour, according to Duke Energy's outage map, which you can monitor by clicking here.

Schools, universities dismiss early

Many schools an universities across Kentuckiana also canceled afternoon classes because of the threat of more severe weather Tuesday afternoon and into the evening. That includes the University of Louisville and the University of Kentucky. Many districts dismissed schools early to get ahead of the storms. Greater Clark County Schools in southern Indiana let students out around 12:30 p.m. East and West Washington counties, Scott County, Crawford County, Springs Valley, North Harrison, Jennings County and the Borden-Henryville School corporations all dismissed early.

Dismissals, delays and closings can be monitored by clicking here.

Shelters open in many counties

After a series of storm systems moved through Kentucky and Indiana, shelters opened in many counties. 

Kentucky

Jefferson County: 

A Louisville Metro Emergency Services spokesperson said the public can go to any Metro Government building during regular business hours to seek shelter from inclement weather. 

Oldham County: 

Emergency Management said all Oldham County Fire Departments have temporary safe places for severe weather. Some churches have also been designated as temporary shelters for anyone's home that was destroyed.

Here is a list of all fire departments in Oldham County:

  • LaGrange Fire and Rescue station 1
  • Ballardsville Fire Department
  • South Oldham Fire Department
  • Pewee Valley Fire Department
  • North Oldham Fire Department
  • Westport Fire Department

According to emergency management, these safe places must be activated by the respective department's command staff. They're not open 24/7, but each will typically be available if they know dangerous weather is approaching.

Also, the LaGrange Fire Dept. Station 1 will typically unlock its basement doors before any dangerous or severe storms.

Indiana 

Clark County: 

Clark County Emergency Management said the Arts & Enrichment Center in Charlestown (999 Water Street 47111) is currently open as a storm shelter for this event. This location opens during all severe weather events. No other locations have advised us if they are opening a storm shelter for this event.

Jefferson County: 

Shelters are available at The Salvation Army at Walnut Street and Main Street in Madison, Indiana. There are also several volunteer fire departments and churches that open their doors -- each will announce the individually, since there is not regular staffing.

Washington County: 

Salem Community Schools have safe rooms open when there is inclement weather. Schools closed at 1 p.m. Tuesday, but there will be someone there, if needed, according to emergency officials. 

This story will be updated. 

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