How a Tornado Turned This Kentucky Hidden Gem Into a Haunting Attraction

Not long after Mount St. Helens erupted on May 18th, 1980, and after the dust settled (literally), my aunt and uncle parked their motorhome in Kelso, Washington, for the night. Seeing as how they were only 25 miles west of the volcano, as the crow flies, they collected some ash as a souvenir. My sister now has it.

Disaster Sites as Tourist Attractions

Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument now sees thousands of tourists every year. And if you drive about 4.5 hours southward, you'll find Oregon's Crater Lake National Park and mountains that rise 2,000 feet above its water's surface, a beautiful natural wonder. Crater Lake is also the product of a volcano, although this one occurred several thousand years ago. The point is, when Mother Nature gets angry enough, disaster strikes. And if they're significant enough, they're memorialized.

Broke Leg Falls

Deep in the heart of Appalachia lies a tiny unincorporated town called Wellington, which should not be confused with the incorporated suburb of Louisville. No, the Wellington in question is in Menifee County and is home to a hidden gem whose popularity has only increased ever since a 2012 tornado altered its landscape.

That F3 twister barreled through the area only one year after the park celebrated its restoration. The storm left debris scattered at the bottom of a canyon where water from Broke Leg Falls' main falls plummets 60 feet. Yes, there was a cleanup project after the tornado so that guests could still see the falls, which are only accessible by stairs, but many of the trails are still blocked. But that just creates a creepy setting that features an abandoned walking bridge and several downed trees.

The park, which stopped removing debris and let natural restoration take its course, recommends that visitors wait and come after a period of rain; it's the only thing that drives the falls. But considering the positive scores users gave Broke Leg Falls on Atlas Obscura, I'd imagine those who are curious will make sure they're there at the best time.