Storms and high winds damaged many of the barns at Turfway Park Thursday
evening. Although the track is not currently conducting a live race meet,
approximately 700 horses are stabled at the Northern Kentucky track for
training. No injuries to horses or humans were reported.
“We have a mess to clean up, but we’re thankful the damage is not any greater
than it is,” Turfway Park President Robert Elliston said. “Our crews were out
here right away last night going door to door and barn to barn to make sure no
one was hurt.”
Damage to the barns ranged from dangling gutters on some to missing portions
of roofs on others. Most barns with roof damage retained the corrugated underlay
of the roof but lost the top layer of wood and rubber sheeting. One dormitory
also lost part of its roof and residents were temporarily relocated.
Debris was blown onto the track, but the Polytrack surface was not damaged. The grandstand sustained minor damage to neon signage and the third-floor
eaves.
Power was lost in both the grandstand and the stable area, and the latter
remained without power Friday morning.
Repairs will begin immediately and training is expected to resume on Saturday.
Although residents reported funnel formations in the clouds, the National
Weather Service has not confirmed reports of a tornado in the Florence,
Kentucky, area.