Perilous
Times and Climate Change
Kentucky: Severe Storms, tornadoes damage barns, chapel at
Churchill Downs
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) - A few barns partially collapsed and horses
ran loose for a time Wednesday at Churchill Downs, home of the
Kentucky Derby, after a powerful storm that spawned tornadoes blew
through Louisville.
Officials have no immediate reports of serious injuries to humans
or horses at the track on the southwestern side of Louisville. A
mayor's spokesman said a couple people may have been trapped in
their cars in high water on the east side of the city.
The National Weather Service said radar was tracking a confirmed
tornado near the famed track and the University of Louisville
campus about 8:10 p.m. Though no races are run on Wednesdays,
there was simulcasting of races elsewhere, so people may have been
there, said track President Kevin Flanery.
At least five barns were damaged, as was the chapel. The barn
damage was on the backside of the track where workers live in the
dorms, Flanery said.
"It's a hell of a mess back here,'' track spokesman John Asher
said of the barn area where the damage was concentrated.
The iconic twin spires above the clubhouse overlooking the finish
line were not apparently damaged, Flanery said. A Texas Hold 'em
poker tournament was being held on the front side of the track
when the storm hit, Asher said.
"Clearly we've got several barns with significant damage and we're
just trying to make sure people and the animals are safe first,''
Flanery said.
Some horses had gotten loose for a time, but were later secured,
Asher said. At least 1,300 horses were stable at Churchill, said
vice president of racing Donnie Richardson.
Vans were being brought in to move horses out of torrential
downpours and from the barns, Asher said. At least one barn was
flooded by a water main break and horses were being moved to a
safe area. The nearby state fairgrounds and Keeneland Racetrack in
Lexington offered stall space if it was needed, he said.
The Kentucky Derby, the first leg of horseracing's Triple Crown,
has been run for more than 130 years at the track. Churchill Downs
is in its spring meet, in which racing takes place Thursday
through Sunday until July 4.
The track has a capacity to handle a crowd of some 160,000-plus
for the Kentucky Derby.
The 136-year-old track, owned by Churchill Downs Inc., underwent
extensive renovations in 2002 and 2003 totaling more than $200
million. Thursday's racing card was cancelled because of the
damage.
In August 2009, a flash flood heavily damaged the Kentucky Derby
Museum, situated just off Gate 1 at Churchill Downs. The museum
was closed for nine months while it underwent a $5.5 million
renovation.
No damage has been reported on the university campus, which is
sparsely populated at this time of year, said John Drees, a
university spokesman. Drees said there were reports of power
outages around campus. Dwight Mitchell, spokesman for Louisville
police, said two buildings were damaged near the campus, though.
Eyewitnesses said they saw about a dozen power poles downed near
the track and university. A weather service team will determine
whether a tornado or straight line winds did the damage. More than
7,600 customers were without power in Jefferson County where
Louisville is located.
The worst damage appeared to be in the Churchill Downs area, said
Chris Poynter, a spokesman for Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer
Weather service meteorologist Ryan Sharp said damage also was
reported in the Shively area, west of downtown Louisville.
Storm sirens wailed in Kentucky's largest city as multiple tornado
warnings were issued as the storm went through.
"It looks like we dodged what could have been a really bad ...
evening,'' Poynter said.