Kentucky, 2000

Tornadoes and Hail in Kentucky, May 23 to 24, 2000

May 23 to 24, 2000 · NWS LMK · 49 events in 15 counties and zones

38 hail, 8 thunderstorm wind, 3 tornado, as filed by the National Weather Service.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it. Tap one for its entry below.

  • Tornadoes
  • Tropical storms and surge
  • Floods
  • Wind
  • Hail
  • Winter weather
  • Heat and drought
  • Cold
  • Fire, smoke and dust
  • Marine and coastal
  • Other

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths
0
Injuries
16
Property damage
$50 million
Crop damage
None recorded
Events
49

Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.

The radar

The Louisville radar (KLVX), 74 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 14:40 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

38 hail, 8 thunderstorm wind, 3 tornado. Local standard time, as filed.

Hail, Hancock

When
May 23, 9:30 AM EST
Where
Hancock County, 9 mi S of Hawesville
Measured
1 in hail
Reported by
GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates
37.767, -86.750

Hail, Ohio

When
May 23, 9:30 AM EST
Where
Ohio County, Pleasant Ridge
Measured
1 in hail
Reported by
TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates
37.600, -86.983

Hail, Breckinridge

When
May 23, 9:45 AM EST
Where
Breckinridge County, Cloverport
Measured
1.75 in hail
Reported by
GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates
37.833, -86.633

Hail, Ohio

When
May 23, 9:50 AM EST
Where
Ohio County, Dundee
Measured
1.75 in hail
Reported by
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates
37.550, -86.783

Hail, Ohio

When
May 23, 9:54 AM EST
Where
Ohio County, Fordsville
Measured
1 in hail
Reported by
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates
37.633, -86.717

Hail, Breckinridge

When
May 23, 10:00 AM EST
Where
Breckinridge County, Irvington
Measured
1.75 in hail
Reported by
BROADCAST MEDIA
Coordinates
37.883, -86.283

Hail, Breckinridge

When
May 23, 10:00 AM EST
Where
Breckinridge County, Hardinsburg
Measured
1.75 in hail
Reported by
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates
37.783, -86.467

Hail, Grayson

When
May 23, 10:10 AM EST
Where
Grayson County, Caneyville
Measured
0.75 in hail
Reported by
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates
37.417, -86.500

Hail, Grayson

When
May 23, 10:35 AM EST
Where
Grayson County, Shrewsbury
Measured
0.75 in hail
Reported by
BROADCAST MEDIA
Coordinates
37.383, -86.383

Hail, Grayson

When
May 23, 10:45 AM EST
Where
Grayson County, Anneta
Measured
1 in hail
Reported by
TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates
37.367, -86.250

Hail, Grayson

When
May 23, 10:47 AM EST
Where
Grayson County, Anneta
Measured
1.75 in hail
Reported by
TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates
37.367, -86.250

Hail, Edmonson

When
May 23, 10:50 AM EST
Where
Edmonson County, Kyrock
Measured
2 in hail
Reported by
OFFICIAL NWS OBS.
Coordinates
37.267, -86.250

Hail, Hart

When
May 23, 11:13 AM EST
Where
Hart County, Priceville
Measured
1.75 in hail
Reported by
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates
37.367, -85.983

Hail, Hart

When
May 23, 11:15 AM EST
Where
Hart County, Munfordville
Measured
1 in hail
Reported by
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates
37.283, -85.900

Hail, Hart

When
May 23, 11:19 AM EST
Where
Hart County, Munfordville
Measured
1.75 in hail
Reported by
OFFICIAL NWS OBS.
Coordinates
37.283, -85.900

Hail, Barren

When
May 23, 11:40 AM EST
Where
Barren County, Hiseville
Measured
1 in hail
Reported by
TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates
37.100, -85.800

Hail, Metcalfe

When
May 23, 11:44 AM EST
Where
Metcalfe County, Savoyard
Measured
1.75 in hail
Reported by
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates
37.117, -85.733

Hail, Barren

When
May 23, 11:45 AM EST
Where
Barren County, 1 mi S of Glasgow
Measured
1 in hail
Reported by
TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates
36.967, -85.900

Hail, Metcalfe

When
May 23, 11:55 AM EST
Where
Metcalfe County, Edmonton
Measured
1.75 in hail
Reported by
TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates
36.983, -85.600

Hail, Metcalfe

When
May 23, 12:35 PM EST
Where
Metcalfe County, Edmonton
Measured
1 in hail
Reported by
GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates
36.983, -85.600

Hail, Barren

When
May 23, 12:40 PM EST
Where
Barren County, Hiseville
Measured
1.75 in hail
Reported by
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates
37.100, -85.800

Hail, Metcalfe

When
May 23, 12:48 PM EST
Where
Metcalfe County, Center
Measured
1.75 in hail
Reported by
GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates
37.133, -85.683

Hail, Barren

When
May 23, 1:05 PM EST
Where
Barren County, Lecta
Measured
0.75 in hail
Reported by
GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates
37.017, -85.850

Thunderstorm Wind, Clinton

When
May 23, 1:05 PM EST
Where
Clinton County, Shipley
Measured
65 kt (75 mph)
Property damage
$15,000
Reported by
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates
36.667, -85.217

Houses were damaged by thunderstorm winds.

Hail, Breckinridge

When
May 23, 1:09 PM EST
Where
Breckinridge County, Hardinsburg
Measured
1.75 in hail
Reported by
EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates
37.783, -86.467

Hail covered the ground.

Hail, Cumberland

When
May 23, 1:15 PM EST
Where
Cumberland County, Burkesville
Measured
1 in hail
Reported by
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates
36.783, -85.367

Hail, Breckinridge

When
May 23, 1:22 PM EST
Where
Breckinridge County, Hardinsburg
Measured
2.75 in hail
Property damage
$15,000
Reported by
EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates
37.783, -86.467

Cars were damaged by hail at Hardinsburg.

Hail, Clinton

When
May 23, 1:30 PM EST
Where
Clinton County, Shipley
Measured
1.75 in hail
Reported by
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates
36.667, -85.217

Hail, Hardin

When
May 23, 1:35 PM EST
Where
Hardin County, Cecilia
Measured
1.75 in hail
Reported by
GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates
37.667, -85.950

Hail covered the ground.

Hail, Breckinridge

When
May 23, 1:50 PM EST
Where
Breckinridge County, Hudson
Measured
1.75 in hail
Reported by
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates
37.650, -86.283

Hail was also reported at Madrid and at Rough River Lake.

Hail, Clinton

When
May 23, 1:55 PM EST
Where
Clinton County, Albany
Measured
1.75 in hail
Reported by
OFFICIAL NWS OBS.
Coordinates
36.683, -85.133

Tornado, Grayson

When
May 23, 2:00 PM EST to 2:10 PM EST
Where
Grayson County, 4 mi N of Leitchfield
Rating
F3
Path length
6 mi
Path width
100 yd
Injuries
16 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage
$50 million
Reported by
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates
37.533, -86.300

A storm survey was done by NWS personnel on Wednesday May 24. The survey found severe damage to residential and industrial structures. Three vortices combined into a single tornado north of Leitchfield, then moved east to southeast at 40 to 45 mph. The path moved through the northeast and east sections of Leitchfield and beyond. (Path length and width are estimated). The structural damaged evidenced the presence of an F3 tornado, with maximum winds around 175 mph. Houses that were virtually destroyed, but still had parts of their structure remaining above the main floor, were the basis of the F3 evaluation. Severe damage to nearby factories also supported the F3 evaluation.

Tornado, Hart

When
May 23, 2:25 PM EST
Where
Hart County, Priceville
Rating
F0
Path length
0.1 mi
Path width
25 yd
Reported by
GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates
37.367, -85.983

The path length and width, along with the intensity are estimates, since no damage was reported with the touchdown.

Hail, Hardin

When
May 23, 2:55 PM EST
Where
Hardin County, Ft Knox
Measured
0.75 in hail
Reported by
OTHER FEDERAL AGENCY
Coordinates
37.900, -85.967

Hail was observed at Godman Army Air Field at Fort Knox.

Hail, Hardin

When
May 23, 3:18 PM EST
Where
Hardin County, Elizabeth Town
Measured
0.75 in hail
Reported by
GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates
37.700, -85.867

Thunderstorm Wind, Taylor

When
May 23, 4:15 PM EST
Where
Taylor County, 4 mi SE of Campbellsville
Measured
70 kt (81 mph)
Property damage
$35,000
Reported by
NWS STORM SURVEY
Coordinates
37.300, -85.300

Numerous trees were downed. A barn had been picked up by an estimated 70 mph wind gust and thrown against a home.

Hail, Green

When
May 23, 4:20 PM EST
Where
Green County, Greensburg
Measured
1 in hail
Reported by
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates
37.267, -85.500

Tornado, Taylor

When
May 23, 4:20 PM EST
Where
Taylor County, Burdick
Measured
50
Rating
F0
Path length
0.1 mi
Path width
25 yd
Property damage
$5,000
Reported by
NWS STORM SURVEY
Coordinates
37.267, -85.383

The NWS survey team concluded that there was a sign of a circulation and that an F0 tornado had touched down briefly. A shed was destroyed. The siding on a house was damaged. A portion of a roof was blown off a commercial building.

Hail, Taylor

When
May 23, 4:20 PM EST
Where
Taylor County, Burdick
Measured
1.75 in hail
Property damage
$5,000
Reported by
NWS STORM SURVEY
Coordinates
37.267, -85.383

Hail damaged siding on a home.

Hail, Adair

When
May 23, 4:25 PM EST
Where
Adair County, Coburg
Measured
1.75 in hail
Reported by
GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates
37.200, -85.333

Thunderstorm Wind, Adair

When
May 23, 4:40 PM EST
Where
Adair County, Columbia
Measured
60 kt (69 mph)
Reported by
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates
37.100, -85.300

Numerous trees were downed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Russell

When
May 23, 5:00 PM EST
Where
Russell County, Russell Spgs
Measured
60 kt (69 mph)
Reported by
GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates
37.050, -85.083

Trees were downed.

Hail, Adair

When
May 23, 6:01 PM EST
Where
Adair County, Fairplay
Measured
1 in hail
Reported by
TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates
37.017, -85.300

Hail, Russell

When
May 23, 8:30 PM EST
Where
Russell County, Olga
Measured
0.75 in hail
Reported by
GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates
36.950, -85.150

Thunderstorm Wind, Ohio

When
May 23, 11:58 PM EST
Where
Ohio County, Hartford
Measured
54 kt (62 mph)
Reported by
BROADCAST MEDIA
Coordinates
37.450, -86.917

Hail, Ohio

When
May 24, 12:05 AM EST
Where
Ohio County, Hartford
Measured
1 in hail
Reported by
TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates
37.450, -86.917

Thunderstorm Wind, Ohio

When
May 24, 12:05 AM EST
Where
Ohio County, Countywide
Measured
60 kt (69 mph)
Reported by
TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates
37.483, -86.867

Numerous trees were downed across the county.

Thunderstorm Wind, Grayson

When
May 24, 12:25 AM EST
Where
Grayson County, Caneyville
Measured
52 kt (60 mph)
Reported by
TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates
37.417, -86.500

Thunderstorm Wind, Hart

When
May 24, 1:05 AM EST
Where
Hart County, Cub Run
Measured
60 kt (69 mph)
Reported by
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates
37.300, -86.067

Trees down across Highway 728 at Cub Run.

What these are

Hail
Hail three-quarters of an inch or larger, or smaller hail that caused damage, filed with the largest stone measured.
Thunderstorm Wind
Winds from a thunderstorm of 50 knots (58 mph) or more, or lower winds that caused damage or casualties. Measured gusts are marked MG, estimated EG.
Tornado
A violently rotating column of air in contact with the ground and extending from a thunderstorm, filed with its path, width and Fujita or Enhanced Fujita rating from the damage survey.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

More

Every storm in Kentucky in 2000Every state in 2000This day in weather historyThe tornado archive for Kentucky, 2000Warnings in Kentucky, May 2000

Sources

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 5149100, 5149101, 5151097, 5151098, 5151099, 5151100, 5151101, 5151102, 5151103, 5151104, 5151105, 5151106, 5151107, 5151108, 5151109, 5151110, 5151111, 5151112, 5151113, 5151114, 5151115, 5151116, 5151117, 5151118, 5151119, 5151120, 5151121, 5151122, 5151194, 5151195, 5151196, 5151471, 5151472, 5151473, 5151474, 5151483, 5151484, 5151556, 5151557, 5151475, and more.