Prepare for straight-line winds - some in excess of 70 mph, tornado watch issued

You know it's a bad weather forecast when isolated tornadoes are considered a secondary threat.

But that was the word from the National Weather Service in Wilmington earlier today. It tweeted that straight-line winds - some in excess of 70 mph - are what we should primarily prepare for between 10 p.m. and 4 a.m..

That's the same time period that the weather service had earlier predicted could bring trouble. But the severity of the warnings had grown.

"No change in timing," the weather service in Wilmington tweeted, "but the potential for more significant thunderstorm winds has increased."

However, there was a change in timing in the weather service's most current advisory.

It tweeted about 7:15 p.m. that severe storms are likely after 11 p.m. and thunderstorms moving through the area earlier could bring small wet hail and gusty winds.

Winds could be problematic Saturday, too.

The weather service is predicting winds gusting up to 50 to 60 mph.

Duke warning

Duke Energy is warning customers that saturated grounds combined with severe wind gusts will increase the likelihood for widespread power outages across the region.

"Our crews are ready to respond, but persistent winds can sometimes prevent our crews from raising hydraulic buckets needed for repairs," Duke said in an email.

"In turn, this can result in outage restoration times that are longer than normal. As always, we encourage customers to prepare in advance."

Kentucky prepares

Early this evening, Kentucky Transportation Secretary Jim Gray signed an order in effect through April 30 to suspend certain regulatory restrictions on commercial motor vehicles involved in restoring power and clearing debris in Kentucky and other states impacted by violent storms and destructive winds.

Gray's order complements a state of emergency declared by Gov. Andy Beshear and is designed "to help avoid any delay for utility crews and other responders coming to the aid of storm victims," Gray said.

"It temporarily relieves commercial drivers from maximum driving times and weigh station stops while engaged in the emergency response."