A tornado watch is in effect in Kentucky until 4 p.m. according to the National Weather Service and strong winds have already caused damage on WKU’s campus.

Chief Facilities Officer, Bryan Russell, said winds recorded over 60 miles per hour loosened metal panels at the “penthouse” of Bemis Lawrence hall. Hard roofing also came off of WKU’s Owensboro campus.

Russell said he has received photographs of the damage and WKU is already working to make repairs to the buildings.

There have also been power outages on the US 31W Bypass, including traffic lights going out. 

{{tncms-inline account=”BGKYPolice” html=”<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">It’s wind-mageddon 2019! Most of the traffic signals are out on the bypass. Treat them like 4 way stops.</p>— BGKYPolice (@BGKYPolice) <a href="https://twitter.com/BGKYPolice/status/1106244191603081216?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 14, 2019</a></blockquote>” id=”https://twitter.com/BGKYPolice/status/1106244191603081216″ type=”twitter”}}

In an email to the Herald, Bob Skipper, director of WKU media relations, said WKU is monitoring the National Weather Service, Warren County Emergency Management and White Squirrel Weather for incoming hazardous weather.

News reporter Natasha Breu can be reached at 270-745-6011 and [email protected]. Follow Natasha on Twitter @nnbreu.