Alert archive / Kentucky / Tornado Warnings in 2026
Tornado Warning 34, NWS Charleston, WV
NWS Charleston, WV issued this tornado warning at Aug 16, 2026, 6:44 PM EDT for Carter County, Lawrence County, Kentucky. It was in force for 31 min. 2 reports came from inside the area while it was in force.
The area
The outline as issued, with what was reported inside it.
The facts
- Issued
- Aug 16, 2026, 6:44 PM EDT (22:44 UTC)
- Expired
- Aug 16, 2026, 7:15 PM EDT
- In force
- 31 min
- Issued by
- NWS Charleston, WV
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Tornado
- Radar indicated
- Hail
- 1.0 in
Counties Carter County, KY, Lawrence County, KY
The radar
The Jackson,KY radar (KJKL), 82 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 22:46 UTC, the scan nearest the moment this went out.
Open the radar archive at this moment
The archived warnings, watches and discussions in force at that minute are drawn over the scan, this one among them.
What was reported inside it
| Time | Report | Where | Remark |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 16, 7:07 PM EDT | TSTM WND DMG | 3 Nnw Yatesville Lake S, KY | Tree down blocking both lanes of Kentucky Route 3. Time is estimated by radar. |
| Aug 16, 7:18 PM EDT | TSTM WND DMG | 4 Wsw Yatesville Lake S, KY | Multiple trees down in the Spankem Branch Road area. Time is estimated by radar. |
Local storm reports filed while the alert was in force, from inside its polygon or its counties.
Did it verify
Not verified. The Iowa Environmental Mesonet's Cow found no qualifying storm report inside this tornado warning while it was in force. That is not proof nothing happened: reports are thin where few people live.
Cow counts a report within 15 km of the polygon while the warning was in force: a tornado for a tornado warning; hail of 1 inch or more, a gust of 58 mph or more or wind damage for a severe thunderstorm warning; a flash flood report for a flash flood warning.
The watch it was issued in
The SPC watch in force over the same counties when this warning went out.
| Issued | Product | Office | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 16, 1:05 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Watch | SPC | 9 hr |
The nearest sounding before it
Cncnati-Daytn, OH (KILN), launched 12:00Z, 10.7 hours before the alert went out and 162 km from the middle of its area. This is the routine balloon launch nearest before it, the air the forecaster had in hand, not a measurement taken for the alert.
- Mixed-layer CAPE
- 2282 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- -28 J/kg
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 634 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 28 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 119 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 116 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.0
- Supercell composite
- 5.2
The text
As transmitted.
275
WFUS51 KRLX 162244
TORRLX
KYC043-127-162315-
/O.NEW.KRLX.TO.W.0034.260816T2244Z-260816T2315Z/
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Charleston WV
644 PM EDT Sun Aug 16 2026
The National Weather Service in Charleston West Virginia has issued a
* Tornado Warning for...
Northwestern Lawrence County in northeastern Kentucky...
Southeastern Carter County in northeastern Kentucky...
* Until 715 PM EDT.
* At 643 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located over Webbville, or 8 miles east of Grayson Lake State
Park, moving southeast at 25 mph.
HAZARD...Tornado and quarter size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.
IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without
shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed.
Damage to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree
damage is likely.
* This dangerous storm will be near...
Yatesville Lake State Park around 650 PM EDT.
Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include
Willard, Fallsburg, and Hitchins.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest
floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a
mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter
and protect yourself from flying debris.
&&
LAT...LON 3830 8293 3826 8279 3825 8279 3823 8276
3825 8272 3822 8261 3817 8263 3817 8264
3814 8264 3803 8268 3815 8291 3817 8292
3817 8294 3819 8298
TIME...MOT...LOC 2243Z 296DEG 22KT 3822 8286
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN
$$
011 follow-up statement
508
WWUS51 KRLX 162258
SVSRLX
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Charleston WV
658 PM EDT Sun Aug 16 2026
KYC043-127-162315-
/O.CON.KRLX.TO.W.0034.000000T0000Z-260816T2315Z/
Lawrence KY-Carter KY-
658 PM EDT Sun Aug 16 2026
...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 715 PM EDT FOR
NORTHWESTERN LAWRENCE AND SOUTHEASTERN CARTER COUNTIES...
At 657 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located near Yatesville Lake State Park, moving southeast at 25
mph.
HAZARD...Tornado and quarter size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.
IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without
shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage
to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is
likely.
This dangerous storm will be near...
Yatesville Lake State Park around 705 PM EDT.
Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include
Fallsburg.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest
floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a
mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter
and protect yourself from flying debris.
&&
LAT...LON 3827 8282 3823 8276 3825 8272 3822 8261
3817 8263 3817 8264 3814 8264 3803 8268
3815 8291
TIME...MOT...LOC 2257Z 296DEG 22KT 3818 8276
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN
$$
01What forecasters said that day
The local office's own words before this tornado warning went out, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.
NWS Charleston, WV wrote its last area forecast discussion before this tornado warning went out at Aug 16, 1:38 PM EDT, 5 hours 6 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
- 1) Flash flooding and severe weather are expected today with a lingering, persistent active weather pattern. Repeated rounds of heavy rainfall from training showers and thunderstorms could rapidly lead to flash flooding, especially areas that are already saturated and inundated.
Area forecast discussion, Aug 16, 1:38 PM EDT, 5 hours 6 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Charleston WV
138 PM EDT Sun Aug 16 2026
.WHAT HAS CHANGED...
136 PM Update...
Severe thunderstorm watch issued for all of our SE Ohio
counties and a bulk of our West Virginia counties until 8 PM
tonight. ~18z aviation discussion update.
1204 PM Update...
Updates on flash flooding and severe potential for today and
tonight.
&&
.KEY MESSAGES...
1) Flash flooding and severe weather are expected today with a
lingering, persistent active weather pattern. Repeated rounds of
heavy rainfall from training showers and thunderstorms could
rapidly lead to flash flooding, especially areas that are
already saturated and inundated.
&&
.DISCUSSION...
KEY MESSAGE 1...
136 PM Update...
A severe thunderstorm watch is in effect in til 8 PM tonight.
This is for all of our southeastern Ohio and a majority of our
West Virginia counties, basically the I-64 corridor and north.
Lincoln, Boone, and Raleigh are also included. Seeing generous
convection forming across our western forecast area with
downburst wind gusts reaching the 40-50 mph range as reported by
a few ASOS sites. Expecting these storms to hold together and
even strengthen as they traverse the area ESEward.
The best wind dynamics will be situated across SE'rn Ohio and
northern West Virginia (especially the US-50 corridor) where
better wind shear (20-40 knots) is present. Rapid clearing is
occurring over the central lowlands and coalfields which will
build better instability through the afternoon. This will be
another area to watch later this afternoon and evening.
1204 PM Update...
Flash flooding concerns continue through tonight. Additional
rounds of showers and thunderstorms will move across the area
this afternoon and evening leading to additional or worsening
flooding. ~12z HRRR shows the next round forming to our west in
Ohio and subsequently moving west to east across our area later
this afternoon and evening. The ~12z NAM is concerning as it
shows the next round forming over Ohio and then tracking across
our area between 1 PM and 3 PM, offering only a small break
between our most recent deluge. It then shows another hefty
round later this evening through tonight.
Some of these storms could be on the strong to severe side
containing damaging wind gusts and of course heavy downpours. CAPE
is expected to be between 2,500 and 3,500 J/kg if timely clearing
occurs this afternoon. This is more than sufficient to spawn
widespread showers and thunderstorms, with scattered strong to
severe storms being a possibility.
There is the chance for a tornado or two to occur with any more
organized, clear-air storms. The main driver for this threat would
be if an additional surface low forms along the stationary front
currently bisecting the area. This would cause a backing in the wind
field increasing wind shear from 20-30 knots to at least 40-60
knots. Otherwise, damaging downburst winds and the heavy rainfall
will be the main concerns.
Current guidance suggests that at least another 1-2 inches of
rainfall will fall across the area through tonight. Locally higher
amounts between 3-5 inches could be possible somewhere in Ohio or
central/northern WV if the NAM solution is right. A flood watch goes
until 8 AM Monday to cover the likely additional flash flooding
later this afternoon through tonight. A rare moderate risk
(level 3/4) for excessive rainfall spans the bulk of WV with the
rest of the area in a slight risk (level 2/4).
Showers and thunderstorms are expected again for Monday, but the
severe threat and primary heavy rain threat shifts south of our
area as a cold front crosses. A marginal risk (level 1/4) for
excessive rainfall is still in place across our area for Monday
with a marginal risk (level 1/5) for severe weather covers our
VA and far southern WV counties.
A bit of a reprieve is expected behind this front for Tuesday
and Wednesday until another front crosses Thursday.
&&
.AVIATION /18Z SUNDAY THROUGH FRIDAY/...
VFR and MVFR conditions are being reported across the area with
SCT to BKN CIGs between 1,000 and 9,000 feet AGL. Scattered to
numerous SH and TS expected this afternoon and tonight
containing damaging winds, heavy downpours, and a tornado or
two being possible.
Showers and storms continue tonight with widespread MVFR, IFR,
LIFR conditions expected with and after the activity moves out.
Instances of low stratus and river fog are likely behind these
showers and thunderstorms.
Winds will be mostly SW'rly and breezy this afternoon gusting
between 15 and 20 knots. Winds will be erratic and gusty in and
near any thunderstorms with damaging gusts possible with any
severe storms. Light and SW'rly winds expected tonight.
FORECAST CONFIDENCE AND ALTERNATE SCENARIOS THROUGH 18Z MONDAY...
FORECAST CONFIDENCE: MEDIUM
ALTERNATE SCENARIOS: Timing and location of showers and
thunderstorms will vary this afternoon and evening.
EXPERIMENTAL TABLE OF FLIGHT CATEGORY OBJECTIVELY SHOWS CONSISTENCY
OF WFO FORECAST TO AVAILABLE MODEL INFORMATION:
H = HIGH: TAF CONSISTENT WITH ALL MODELS OR ALL BUT ONE MODEL.
M = MEDIUM: TAF HAS VARYING LEVEL OF CONSISTENCY WITH MODELS.
L = LOW: TAF INCONSISTENT WITH ALL MODELS OR ALL BUT ONE MODEL.
UTC 1HRLY 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 00 01 02 03
EDT 1HRLY 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23
CRW CONSISTENCY H H H H H H H H H H M H
HTS CONSISTENCY H H H H H H H H H H H H
BKW CONSISTENCY H H H H H H H H H H H H
EKN CONSISTENCY H L M M H H H H H H H H
PKB CONSISTENCY M M H H H H H H H H H H
CKB CONSISTENCY M M M H H H H H H H H H
AFTER 18Z MONDAY...
Chances for scattered showers and thunderstorms on Monday
leading to possible IFR CIGs/VIS. IFR or lower possible in
valley fog and low stratus Monday night and Tuesday morning.
&&
.RLX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
WV...Flood Watch through Monday morning for WVZ005>011-013>020-
024>032-034-039-040-515>526.
OH...Flood Watch through Monday morning for OHZ066-067-075-076-
083>087.
KY...Flood Watch through Monday morning for KYZ101>103-105.
VA...None.
&&
DISCUSSION...LTC
AVIATION...LTCIn the hours before
Local storm report, Aug 16, 6:20 PM EDT, 24 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Charleston WV
620 PM EDT Sun Aug 16 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0559 PM Flash Flood 1 SE Cross Lanes 38.43N 81.76W
08/16/2026 Kanawha WV 911 Call Center
High water in the area of 5200 Dalewood
Drive in Cross Lanes. Water rescue currently
in progress.
&&Special weather statement, Aug 16, 6:21 PM EDT, 23 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Charleston WV
621 PM EDT Sun Aug 16 2026
KYZ103-105-WVZ005-006-162245-
Boyd KY-Lawrence KY-Wayne WV-Cabell WV-
621 PM EDT Sun Aug 16 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHEASTERN BOYD...NORTH
CENTRAL LAWRENCE...SOUTH CENTRAL CABELL AND NORTHERN WAYNE COUNTIES
THROUGH 645 PM EDT...
At 620 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Durbin, or 7 miles north of Yatesville Lake State Park, moving
southeast at 20 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and pea size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Wayne, Beech Fork State Park, Durbin, East Lynn Lake, Burnaugh,
Centerville, Lockwood, Lavalette, East Lynn, and Buchanan.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 800 PM EDT for
central West Virginia.
&&
LAT...LON 3827 8273 3835 8269 3832 8224 3810 8236
TIME...MOT...LOC 2220Z 305DEG 19KT 3825 8266
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
04Special weather statement, Aug 16, 6:27 PM EDT, 17 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Charleston WV
627 PM EDT Sun Aug 16 2026
KYZ101-103-OHZ087-162300-
Boyd KY-Greenup KY-Lawrence OH-
627 PM EDT Sun Aug 16 2026
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT NORTHEASTERN BOYD...CENTRAL
GREENUP AND SOUTHWESTERN LAWRENCE COUNTIES THROUGH 700 PM EDT...
At 626 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from near Wheelersburg to near Gesling. Movement was
southeast at 40 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and pea size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Ashland, Ironton, Coal Grove, Lake Vesuvius, Greenup, Load, Greenbo
Lake, Franklin Furnace, Flatwoods, Russell, Raceland, Worthington,
Wurtland, Bellefonte, Westwood, Hanging Rock, Brushart, Grays Branch,
and Pedro.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 800 PM EDT for
southeastern Ohio.
&&
LAT...LON 3869 8289 3869 8287 3866 8286 3860 8285
3857 8282 3860 8274 3865 8277 3866 8276
3862 8256 3847 8260 3852 8314
TIME...MOT...LOC 2226Z 333DEG 36KT 3869 8282 3850 8307
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
04Special weather statement, Aug 16, 6:30 PM EDT, 14 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Charleston WV
630 PM EDT Sun Aug 16 2026
KYZ102-162245-
Carter KY-
630 PM EDT Sun Aug 16 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHWESTERN CARTER COUNTY
THROUGH 645 PM EDT...
At 630 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Haldeman, or near Olive Hill, moving east at 30 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and pea size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Soldier.
This includes Interstate 64 in Kentucky between mile markers 149 and
153.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3833 8332 3833 8327 3834 8323 3828 8327
3825 8320 3823 8322 3819 8323 3819 8326
3822 8329 3821 8330 3825 8331 3829 8333
3830 8333 3832 8334
TIME...MOT...LOC 2230Z 259DEG 24KT 3829 8329
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
04Special weather statement, Aug 16, 6:35 PM EDT, 9 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Charleston WV
635 PM EDT Sun Aug 16 2026
OHZ075-083>087-WVZ006>009-162300-
Jackson OH-Athens OH-Meigs OH-Gallia OH-Lawrence OH-Vinton OH-
Jackson WV-Mason WV-Wood WV-Cabell WV-
635 PM EDT Sun Aug 16 2026
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT MEIGS...GALLIA...SOUTHEASTERN
JACKSON...SOUTHEASTERN VINTON...SOUTHWESTERN ATHENS...CENTRAL
LAWRENCE...MASON...NORTH CENTRAL CABELL...NORTHWESTERN JACKSON AND
SOUTHWESTERN WOOD COUNTIES THROUGH 700 PM EDT...
At 635 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from near Albany to near Lake Vesuvius. Movement was
southeast at 40 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Point Pleasant, Gallipolis, Pomeroy, Oak Hill, Rio Grande, Albany,
Racine, Rutland, Forked Run State Park, Ravenswood, New Haven, Mason,
Tuppers Plains, Gallia, Vernon, Waterloo, Middleport, Chester, Aid,
and Syracuse.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with these storms and may lead
to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 800 PM EDT for
southeastern Ohio...and central, western and northwestern West
Virginia.
&&
LAT...LON 3868 8270 3875 8270 3875 8266 3876 8266
3885 8265 3885 8267 3929 8232 3913 8161
3853 8218 3866 8276 3868 8276
TIME...MOT...LOC 2235Z 309DEG 35KT 3921 8227 3867 8271
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
04Local storm report, Aug 16, 6:40 PM EDT, 4 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Charleston WV
640 PM EDT Sun Aug 16 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0634 PM Flash Flood 1 SSE Pinch 38.39N 81.47W
08/16/2026 Kanawha WV Trained Spotter
Water rushing down the hill and flooding
garage of a residence on Mountaineer Heights
Drive near Indian Creek.
&&The office that day
Everything else NWS Charleston, WV issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 16, 4:35 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | RLX | Lawrence | 25 min |
| Aug 16, 5:07 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | RLX | Martin | 23 min |
| Aug 16, 5:53 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | RLX | Carter | 37 min |
| Aug 16, 6:04 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | RLX | Boyd, Carter, Lawrence | 41 min |
| Aug 16, 6:17 PM EDT | Tornado Warning | RLX | Boyd, Carter, Lawrence | 28 min |
| Aug 16, 6:27 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | RLX | Greenup | 33 min |
| Aug 16, 6:30 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | RLX | Rowan | 15 min |
| Aug 16, 6:40 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | RLX | Boyd | 50 min |
| Aug 16, 6:41 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | RLX | Boyd, Carter, Lawrence | 49 min |
| Aug 16, 6:47 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | RLX | Carter | 28 min |
| Aug 16, 7:01 PM EDT | Flash Flood Warning | RLX | Boyd, Carter, Greenup, Lawrence | 3 hr |
| Aug 16, 7:12 PM EDT | Tornado Warning | RLX | Lawrence | 33 min |
| Aug 16, 7:32 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | RLX | Lawrence | 28 min |
| Aug 16, 7:41 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | RLX | Lawrence | 34 min |
Nearby
Tornado Warnings in Kentucky, 2026Every tornado warning in 2026Tornadoes in 2026
Sources
The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; local storm reports from the same archive; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.