Tornadoes and Hail in Kentucky, October 18, 2007

Name: Tornadoes and Hail in Kentucky, October 18, 2007
Start: 2007-10-18T16:05
End: 2007-10-18T21:00
Location: Kentucky

October 18, 2007 · NWS PAH · 38 events in 16 counties and zones

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: 19
Property damage: $16 million
Crop damage: $200,000
Events: 38

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.

What happened

The episode as NWS PAH wrote it up.

The second and more significant severe weather outbreak of the day occurred as a cold front swept east across the Mississippi Valley. Scattered thunderstorms developed along and ahead of the front late in the afternoon. The storms organized into supercells and short lines during the evening. Over a dozen tornadoes occurred in western Kentucky.

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Paducah, KY wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Oct 18, 2:15 PM CST, 1 hour 50 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Oct 18, 2:15 PM CST, 1 hour 50 minutes before

AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PADUCAH KY
315 PM CDT THU OCT 18 2007

.SHORT TERM...TONIGHT THROUGH SUNDAY NIGHT.
MAIN CONCERN FOR THIS PERIOD CONTINUES TO BE SEVERE WEATHER
POTENTIAL THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING.

RADAR IMAGERY FINALLY SHOWING SOME DEVELOPMENT JUST WEST OF CARTER
COUNTY MISSOURI...ALONG WITH SOME SCATTERED ECHOES NEAR THE
MISSISSIPPI RIVER IN WEST KENTUCKY AND A STRAY APPARENTLY ELEVATED
SHOWER OVER THE PENNYRILE. TAMDAR SOUNDINGS FROM KPAH AROUND NOON
INDICATED A SIZABLE CAP...WHICH IS LIKELY CAPPING THE SHOWER
DEVELOPMENT OVER WEST KENTUCKY.

FEEL THAT SCATTERED THUNDERSTORMS WILL SLOWLY DEVELOP OVER SOUTHEAST
MISSOURI...AS THE UPDRAFTS STRUGGLE AGAINST THE IMMENSE DEEP LAYER
SHEAR. AS THEY MOVE FURTHER EAST THEY WILL BECOME MORE NUMEROUS AND
SUPERCELLULAR...AS THEY ENCOUNTER BETTER LOW-LEVEL MOISTURE AND
INSTABILITY. STRAIGHT-LINE HODOGRAPHS INDICATE SOME POTENTIAL FOR
SPLITTING STORMS...ESPECIALLY IN THE ORGANIZING STAGE. SO LONG AS
THE STORMS CAN STAY ISOLATED...DAMAGING WINDS...TORNADOES AND LARGE
HAIL WILL ALL BE POSSIBLE.

IF THE STORMS FORM INTO LINE SEGMENTS AS THEY PROGRESS INTO BETTER
MOISTURE OVER WEST KENTUCKY AND SOUTHWEST INDIANA THIS
EVENING...INTENSE BOW ECHOES WOULD BE THE DOMINANT SEVERE WEATHER
MODE. THE BEST LOW-LEVEL SHEAR AND INSTABILITY LOCATED OVER WEST
KENTUCKY AND SOUTHWEST INDIANA...WILL RESULT IN THIS AREA HAVING THE
GREATEST THREAT FOR A HIGH END SEVERE EVENT IN THE FORM OF TORNADOES
OR BOW ECHOES.

AS FOR THE GRIDS...GIVEN ONLY SCATTERED STORMS INITIALLY...WILL KEEP
POPS IN THE LIKELY CATEGORY...CENTERED OVER THE PURCHASE AREA AND
SOUTHERN ILLINOIS BEFORE 00Z...WITH CHANCE POPS FURTHER WEST NEAR
THE INITIAL DEVELOPMENT. WILL THEN FOCUS LIKELIES EASTERN HALF AFTER
00Z WITH ONLY A SLIGHT CHANCE OVER WESTERN SOUTHEAST MISSOURI
COUNTIES. WILL KEEP CHANCE POPS EAST OVERNIGHT...JUST IN CASE A FEW
SHOWERS OR STORMS LINGER OVER THE PENNYRILE.

AS FOR THE WIND ADVISORY...WILL KEEP IT GOING THROUGH 6 PM...EVEN
THOUGH WE HAVE NOT QUITE REACHED CRITERIA. THE 30+KT GUSTS SHOULD
SETTLE DOWN SOME WITH SUNSET...BUT WILL LIKELY STILL SEE SOME DECENT
SOUTH TO SOUTHWEST WINDS WELL INTO THE EVENING...WITH OR WITHOUT
CONVECTION.

FOR FRIDAY AND BEYOND...BASICALLY JUST FOLLOWED THE 12Z GFS AND ITS
MAV TEMPERATURE GUIDANCE. AFTER A COOLISH DAY FRIDAY...THE WEEKEND
WILL BE MOSTLY SUNNY WITH CONTINUED ABOVE NORMAL TEMPERATURES. THE
12Z GFS SUPPORTS THE POPS OVER THE WESTERN HALF OF THE AREA SUNDAY
NIGHT...SO LEFT THAT ALONE.

.LONG TERM...MONDAY THROUGH THURSDAY.
MODELS ARE IN SLIGHTLY BETTER AGREEMENT REGARDING THE SYSTEM TO
AFFECT THE REGION EARLY NEXT WEEK. THE ECMWF IS STILL FAR FROM THE
00Z GFS AND GFS ENSEMBLES. FORECAST WILL BE WEIGHTED MORE HEAVILY
TOWARD THE GFS/GFS ENSEMBLES...IN LINE WITH HPC GUIDANCE. THE GFS
PUTS MUCH MORE EMPHASIS ON THE NORTHERN BRANCH OF THE 500 MB
JET...DIGGING A FULL LATITUDE TROUGH THROUGH THE CENTRAL STATES.
THIS TROUGH THEN SHEARS OUT GRADUALLY DURING MID WEEK. AS A
RESULT...HIGHEST PRECIP CHANCES WILL BE MONDAY ASSOCIATED WITH THE
PROGRESSIVE COLD FRONT PASSING THROUGH THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY. LOWER
PRECIP CHANCES WILL LINGER INTO TUESDAY NIGHT AS THE WEAKENING 500
MB TROUGH PERSISTS NEAR OR JUST EAST OF THE FORECAST AREA.
CONFIDENCE DECREASES AFTER MONDAY SINCE MODEL VARIABILITY BECOMES
MUCH GREATER. TEMPS WILL BE CLOSE TO SEASONAL NORMS IN THE WAKE OF
THE COLD FRONT PASSAGE ON MONDAY.

&&

.AVIATION...
TIMING OF CONVECTION IS THE MAIN AVIATION CONCERN. HIGHEST
PROBABILITIES ARE IN EVV/OWB TAF AREAS...WHERE MOISTURE IS
RELATIVELY DEEP. THE DEEPER MOISTURE IS EVIDENT IN VISIBLE SATELLITE
IMAGERY...WITH MORE IMPRESSIVE CUMULUS DEVELOPMENT SOUTH AND EAST OF
PAH. INSTABILITY WILL WANE QUICKLY AFTER SUNSET...WHEN DRIER AIR
WILL CONTINUE TO INVADE FROM THE WEST. CONVECTIVE POTENTIAL SHOULD
BE MAINLY EAST OF THE TAF SITES BY 03Z...FOLLOWED BY A PERIOD OF
MOSTLY CLEAR SKIES AND DIMINISHING WINDS. WRAPAROUND LOW CLOUDINESS
OVER IOWA AND NW MISSOURI MAY OVERSPREAD THE REGION WELL AFTER 06Z.
CIGS ARE EXPECTED TO BE IN THE MVFR RANGE AT WORST.

&&

.PAH WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
KY...NONE.
MO...NONE.
IL...NONE.
IN...NONE.
&&

SHORT TERM......DRS
LONG TERM.......MY
AVIATION........MY

Hazardous weather outlook, Oct 18, 11:11 AM CST, 4 hours 54 minutes before

HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PADUCAH KY
1211 PM CDT THU OCT 18 2007

ILZ075>078-080>094-INZ081-082-085>088-KYZ001>022-MOZ076-086-087-
100-107>112-114-191715-
JEFFERSON-WAYNE IL-EDWARDS-WABASH-PERRY IL-FRANKLIN-HAMILTON-
WHITE-JACKSON-WILLIAMSON-SALINE-GALLATIN-UNION IL-JOHNSON-POPE-
HARDIN-ALEXANDER-PULASKI-MASSAC-GIBSON-PIKE-POSEY-VANDERBURGH-
WARRICK-SPENCER-FULTON-HICKMAN-CARLISLE-BALLARD-MCCRACKEN-GRAVES-
LIVINGSTON-MARSHALL-CALLOWAY-CRITTENDEN-LYON-TRIGG-CALDWELL-
UNION KY-WEBSTER-HOPKINS-CHRISTIAN-HENDERSON-DAVIESS-MCLEAN-
MUHLENBERG-TODD-PERRY MO-BOLLINGER-CAPE GIRARDEAU-WAYNE MO-CARTER-
RIPLEY-BUTLER-STODDARD-SCOTT-MISSISSIPPI-NEW MADRID-
1211 PM CDT THU OCT 18 2007

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR PORTIONS OF SOUTHERN
ILLINOIS...SOUTHWEST INDIANA...WESTERN KENTUCKY AND SOUTHEAST
MISSOURI.

.DAY ONE...THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT

THERE IS A MODERATE RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS THIS AFTERNOON
AND EVENING ACROSS THE ENTIRE REGION.

STRONG TO SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS ARE EXPECTED TO DEVELOP OVER
SOUTHEAST MISSOURI AND SOUTHERN ILLINOIS DURING THE MID AFTERNOON
HOURS. THESE STORMS WILL MOVE RAPIDLY TO THE NORTHEAST AND SPREAD
SOUTHWARD INTO WESTERN KENTUCKY. THE STORMS WILL CONTINUE TO MOVE
EAST AND SHOULD EXIT THE AREA AROUND MIDNIGHT.

THE STORMS WHICH DEVELOP WILL QUICKLY BECOME SUPERCELLS WITH
DAMAGING WINDS THE MAIN RISK. TORNADOES ARE POSSIBLE AS WELL.

A WIND ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM TODAY. THE LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM
WHICH WILL SPAWN THE THUNDERSTORMS...IS EXPECTED TO INTENSIFY AND
PRODUCE GUSTY WINDS EVEN OUTSIDE THE THUNDERSTORMS. THE RECENT
DROUGHT HAS WEAKENED MANY TREES IN THE REGION...LEAVING THEM MORE
SUSCEPTIBLE TO DAMAGE.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...FRIDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY

A SMALL CHANCE OF THUNDERSTORMS IS FORECAST THROUGHOUT THE QUAD
STATE SUNDAY NIGHT THROUGH MONDAY NIGHT. HOWEVER...SEVERE WEATHER
IS NOT EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SKYWARN SPOTTERS SHOULD BE PREPARED FOR ACTIVATION TODAY AND
TONIGHT.

PS

In the hours before

Local storm report, Oct 18, 11:37 AM CST, 4 hours 28 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT...SUMMARY
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE
1237 PM CDT THU OCT 18 2007

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

1020 PM     TSTM WND DMG     NEW MADRID              36.59N 89.55W
10/17/2007                   NEW MADRID         MO   TRAINED SPOTTER

            LATE REPORT. TWO TREES BLOWN DOWN IN COMMUNITY ASSOCIATED
            WITH BAND OF THUNDERSTORMS AND HEAVY RAIN.

0124 AM     TSTM WND GST     DONIPHAN                36.62N 90.82W
10/18/2007  M56.00 MPH       RIPLEY             MO   LAW ENFORCEMENT

0126 AM     NON-TSTM WND DMG DONIPHAN                36.62N 90.82W
10/18/2007                   RIPLEY             MO   EMERGENCY MNGR

            WIDESPREAD MINOR DAMAGE WITH LINE OF THUNDERSTORMS. TREES
            AND POWER LINES DOWN. DAMAGE TO MOBILE HOME. EM TEAM
            CONDUCTING SURVEY AT THIS TIME. RADAR INDICATED STORM
            MOVED THROUGH COMMUNITY AT 126 AM.

0145 AM     TSTM WND DMG     3 N POPLAR BLUFF        36.81N 90.41W
10/18/2007                   BUTLER             MO   LAW ENFORCEMENT

            DOWNED POWER LINES NORTH OF POPLAR BLUFF. ESTIMATED WINDS
            IN POPLAR BLUFF 65-70 MPH.

0222 AM     TSTM WND DMG     4 SE MARBLE HILL        37.26N 89.93W
10/18/2007                   BOLLINGER          MO   LAW ENFORCEMENT

            DOWNED POWER LINES IN THE LEOPOLD AREA. NUMEROUS POWER
            OUTAGES REPORTED.

0230 AM     TSTM WND DMG     BENTON                  37.10N 89.56W
10/18/2007                   SCOTT              MO   LAW ENFORCEMENT

            NUMEROUS TREES REPORTED DOWN THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY.

0235 AM     TSTM WND DMG     DEXTER                  36.79N 89.96W
10/18/2007                   STODDARD           MO   LAW ENFORCEMENT

            ROOF DAMAGE TO BUILDING ALONG EAST STODDARD STREET. NO
            INJURIES REPORTED AT THIS TIME. POWER LINES DOWN JUST
            EAST OF HIGHWAY 25.

0240 AM     TSTM WND DMG     MILLERSVILLE            37.42N 89.80W
10/18/2007                   CAPE GIRARDEAU     MO   EMERGENCY MNGR

            BUILDING AND VEHICLE DAMAGE REPORTED IN COMMUNITY. EM
            TEAM RESPONDING AT THIS TIME. MUCH OF NORTHEAST CAPE
            GIRARDEAU COUNTY WITHOUT POWER.

0240 AM     TSTM WND DMG     2 N MOUNDS              37.14N 89.20W
10/18/2007                   PULASKI            IL   LAW ENFORCEMENT

            DOWNED TREES BLOCKING HIGHWAY 51 NORTH OF MOUNDS.

0250 AM     TSTM WND DMG     MURPHYSBORO             37.77N 89.34W
10/18/2007                   JACKSON            IL   EMERGENCY MNGR

            WINDOWS BROKEN BY WIND...POWER OUTAGES.

0255 AM     TSTM WND DMG     CARBONDALE              37.72N 89.22W
10/18/2007                   JACKSON            IL   EMERGENCY MNGR

            TREE DOWN ON TWO CARS...BROKEN POWER POLE...TREES DOWN ON
            POWER LINES. ELECTRIC SERVICE TORN OFF POLE.

0255 AM     TSTM WND DMG     DE SOTO                 37.82N 89.23W
10/18/2007                   JACKSON            IL   EMERGENCY MNGR

            TREE FELL ON A HOUSE.

0255 AM     TSTM WND DMG     ANNA                    37.46N 89.24W
10/18/2007                   UNION              IL   LAW ENFORCEMENT

            WIDESPREAD DOWNED TREES AND POWERLINES THROUGHOUT THE
            COUNTY.

0300 AM     TSTM WND DMG     CAPE GIRARDEAU          37.31N 89.55W
10/18/2007                   CAPE GIRARDEAU     MO   TRAINED SPOTTER

            TWO TREES DOWN IN THE CITY OF CAPE GIRARDEAU

0300 AM     TSTM WND DMG     EAST PRAIRIE            36.78N 89.38W
10/18/2007                   MISSISSIPPI        MO   UTILITY COMPANY

            POWER LINES DOWN

0302 AM     TSTM WND GST     1 NE CAPE GIRARDEAU     37.32N 89.54W
10/18/2007  E60.00 MPH       CAPE GIRARDEAU     MO   TRAINED SPOTTER

            60 MPH WIND GUST ESTIMATED 1 MI NORTHEAST OF CAPE
            GIRARDEAU

0310 AM     TSTM WND DMG     MOREHOUSE               36.85N 89.69W
10/18/2007                   NEW MADRID         MO   LAW ENFORCEMENT

            TWO TELEPHONE POLES AND THREE TREES DOWN.

0314 AM     TSTM WND DMG     4 N EDDYVILLE           37.56N 88.59W
10/18/2007                   POPE               IL   EMERGENCY MNGR

            TREE BLOCKING SOUTH BOUND LANE OF IL RT 145 4 MI NORTH OF
            EDDYVILLE, IL

0315 AM     TSTM WND DMG     JOHNSTON CITY           37.82N 88.93W
10/18/2007                   WILLIAMSON         IL   TRAINED SPOTTER

            TWO TREES DOWN IN JOHNSTON CITY, IL

0315 AM     TSTM WND DMG     2 N BUCKNER             38.01N 89.02W
10/18/2007                   FRANKLIN           IL   EMERGENCY MNGR

            42 BY 48 FOOT POLE BARN DESTROYED.

0318 AM     TSTM WND DMG     2 N MOUNDS              37.14N 89.20W
10/18/2007                   PULASKI            IL   EMERGENCY MNGR

            TWO TREES DOWN ON HWY 936...JUST SOUTH OF VILLA RIDGE.
            OTHER SMALL TREES DOWN ACROSS SOUTHERN EDGE OF COUNTY.

0324 AM     TSTM WND GST     VALIER                  38.02N 89.04W
10/18/2007  E60.00 MPH       FRANKLIN           IL   TRAINED SPOTTER

            ESTIMATED 60 MPH WIND GUST IN VALIER, IL

0327 AM     TSTM WND GST     MARION                  37.73N 88.94W
10/18/2007  E60.00 MPH       WILLIAMSON         IL   TRAINED SPOTTER

            60 MPH WIND GUST ESTIMATED BY STORM CHASER...LIMBS DOWN
            AND POWER OUT IN THE TOWN OF MARION, IL

0330 AM     TSTM WND DMG     BENTON                  38.01N 88.92W
10/18/2007                   FRANKLIN           IL   LAW ENFORCEMENT

            WIDESPREAD DOWN TREES AND POWER LINES COUNTY WIDE.

0332 AM     TSTM WND DMG     WEST FRANKFORT          37.90N 88.93W
10/18/2007                   FRANKLIN           IL   EMERGENCY MNGR

            TREE DOWN ON TOP OF HOUSE IN WEST FRANKFORT, IL

0337 AM     TSTM WND DMG     6 N MARION              37.82N 88.94W
10/18/2007                   WILLIAMSON         IL   TRAINED SPOTTER

            DOWNED TREES REPORTED IN JOHNTSON CITY. WINDS MEASURED AT
            62 MPH.

0340 AM     TSTM WND DMG     5 S MCLEANSBORO         38.02N 88.53W
10/18/2007                   HAMILTON           IL   LAW ENFORCEMENT

            DOWNED TREES BLOCKING HIGHWAY 142S.

0345 AM     TSTM WND GST     CAIRO                   37.00N 89.18W
10/18/2007  E60.00 MPH       ALEXANDER          IL   LAW ENFORCEMENT

0348 AM     TSTM WND DMG     SIMS                    38.36N 88.54W
10/18/2007                   WAYNE              IL   LAW ENFORCEMENT

            FEW TREES AND POWER LINES DOWN. MORE POWER LINES DOWN IN
            RINARD AT ABOUT THE SAME TIME.

0355 AM     TSTM WND DMG     1 SE BARLOW             37.04N 89.03W
10/18/2007                   BALLARD            KY   TRAINED SPOTTER

            TREES DOWN IN SLATER ROAD AREA.

0445 AM     TSTM WND DMG     MOUNT CARMEL            38.42N 87.77W
10/18/2007                   WABASH             IL   LAW ENFORCEMENT

            DOWNED TREE BLOCKING INTERSECTION OF 12TH STREET AND
            WALNUT.

&&

MIKEN

Local storm report, Oct 18, 11:47 AM CST, 4 hours 18 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PADUCAH KY
1247 PM CDT THU OCT 18 2007

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0314 AM     TSTM WND DMG     MASONVILLE              37.67N 87.03W
10/18/2007                   DAVIESS            KY   EMERGENCY MNGR

            *** 2 INJ *** TREE DOWN ON MOBILE HOME. TWO OTHER TREES
            DOWN BLOCKING ROADS IN THE SAME AREA. TWO ADULTS WERE
            BRIEFLY TRAPPED IN THE MOBILE HOME.

&&

PATS

Local storm report, Oct 18, 3:58 PM CST, 7 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PADUCAH KY
458 PM CDT THU OCT 18 2007

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0455 PM     TORNADO          CLAY                    37.48N 87.82W
10/18/2007                   WEBSTER            KY   EMERGENCY MNGR

            REPORTED TO EM BY PUBLIC. TORNADO NEAR CLAY AT
            INTERSECTION OF HIGHWAYS 109 AND 270W MOVING TOWARD
            DIXON.

&&

SMITTY

Local storm report, Oct 18, 4:02 PM CST, 3 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PADUCAH KY
502 PM CDT THU OCT 18 2007

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0450 PM     HAIL             4 SE STURGIS            37.51N 87.94W
10/18/2007  M0.50 INCH       UNION              KY   EMERGENCY MNGR

            HAIL REPORTED NEAR SULLIVAN.

&&

SMITTY

The radar

The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

16 tornado, 11 hail, 11 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.

Hail, Webster

When: October 18, 4:05 PM CST
Where: Webster County, Poole
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 37.630, -87.650

Thunderstorm Wind, Carlisle

When: October 18, 4:20 PM CST
Where: Carlisle County, Bardwell to Milburn
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $12,000
Reported by: Newspaper
Coordinates: 36.870, -89.020

Two trees were blown down across Highway 1377, blocking the road. In Milburn, a large tree fell on a house. A barn was unroofed. Power lines were down.

Hail, Carlisle

When: October 18, 4:20 PM CST
Where: Carlisle County, Bardwell
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 36.870, -89.020

Hail, Webster

When: October 18, 4:44 PM CST
Where: Webster County, Dixon
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 37.520, -87.700

Thunderstorm Wind, Fulton

When: October 18, 4:45 PM CST
Where: Fulton County, 1 mi N of Cayce
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $3,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 36.565, -89.030

Highway 239 was blocked by downed trees.

Hail, Daviess

When: October 18, 4:46 PM CST
Where: Daviess County, Sorgho
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 37.750, -87.250

Thunderstorm Wind, Hickman

When: October 18, 4:55 PM CST
Where: Hickman County, 3 mi E of Clinton
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $35,000
Reported by: Utility Company
Coordinates: 36.670, -88.926

A shed and a barn were blown away. Two roads were impassable due to trees across them. Several other trees were down in the same area. A power pole was broken.

Hail, Daviess

When: October 18, 5:02 PM CST
Where: Daviess County, Owensboro
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 37.770, -87.120

Quarter-size hail was reported in the downtown area.

Thunderstorm Wind, Graves

When: October 18, 5:05 PM CST to 5:18 PM CST
Where: Graves County, 3 mi N of Water Vly to Mayfield
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $20,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 36.613, -88.800

Trees were blown down on a secondary road a few miles north of Water Valley. Several trees and numerous tree limbs were blown down in Mayfield, primarily on the west side of town. A tree landed on a house in Mayfield.

Thunderstorm Wind, Livingston

When: October 18, 5:05 PM CST
Where: Livingston County, Tiline
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $8,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 37.180, -88.270

A 500-gallon propane tank was flipped over. A 15 by 20 foot outbuilding was destroyed.

Tornado, Daviess

When: October 18, 5:07 PM CST to 5:10 PM CST
Where: Daviess County, 6.5 mi NE of Owensboro to 8.5 mi NE of Owensboro
Rating: EF1
Path length: 2 mi
Path width: 90 yd
Property damage: $50,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 37.837, -87.036

Numerous trees and a few structures were damaged. The average path width was 75 yards. Peak wind speeds were estimated at 95 mph.

Tornado, Daviess

When: October 18, 5:10 PM CST to 5:18 PM CST
Where: Daviess County, 2 mi ENE of Thurston to 0.5 mi ENE of Gatewood
Rating: EF2
Path length: 7.5 mi
Path width: 180 yd
Continued into: Hancock, Ky (LMK)
Property damage: $50,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 37.811, -86.996

Numerous trees and a few structures were damaged. The tornado damage path continued into Hancock County. Peak winds were estimated near 130 mph where the EF-2 damage occurred between Spice Knob and Scythia. The average path width was 150 yards.

Tornado, Daviess

When: October 18, 5:15 PM CST to 5:16 PM CST
Where: Daviess County, 2.5 mi SW of Gatewood to 2.3 mi SW of Gatewood
Rating: EF0
Path length: 0.2 mi
Path width: 20 yd
Property damage: $3,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 37.804, -86.902

Several trees were damaged. Peak wind speeds in this brief tornado were estimated at 65 mph.

Hail, Daviess

When: October 18, 5:20 PM CST to 5:29 PM CST
Where: Daviess County, Rome to Thurston
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 37.720, -87.180

Large hail fell across the Owensboro area with a supercell thunderstorm. Golf-ball size hail fell in Thurston. Dime-size hail fell in Rome.

Thunderstorm Wind, Marshall

When: October 18, 5:45 PM CST
Where: Marshall County, Benton
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $20,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 36.870, -88.350

Trees were blown down on West 8th, 9th, and 12th Streets. Roads were blocked for a short period of time. The SWAT trailer was overturned at the sheriff department.

Thunderstorm Wind, Livingston

When: October 18, 5:55 PM CST
Where: Livingston County, Grand Rivers
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $2,000
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 37.000, -88.230

At a marina on Kentucky Lake, a sailboat was blown off a trailer onto its side.

Tornado, Webster

When: October 18, 6:09 PM CST to 6:25 PM CST
Where: Webster County, 1 mi NE of Dixon to 1 mi SE of Sebree
Rating: EF2
Path length: 10.19 mi
Path width: 300 yd
Injuries: 5 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $2.5 million
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 37.530, -87.687

Three residences were destroyed, and ten others were damaged. Four of the damaged residences were deemed uninhabitable. Six chicken houses were destroyed. A rehabilitation center for troubled young adults received about 2 million dollars in damage. Four persons were seriously injured, and a fifth person received minor injuries. One of the injuries occurred when the tornado picked up a vehicle and tossed it. The occupant of the vehicle was ejected. The other four injuries occurred at a modular home on Kentucky 494. The modular home was nearly obliterated, with debris blown across nearby fields. The home's steel frame was thrown about 300 feet. All four occupants were seriously injured, including broken vertebrae and a punctured lung. Numerous roads were blocked by downed trees. Peak winds were estimated at 135 mph. The average path width was 250 yards.

Hail, Webster

When: October 18, 6:15 PM CST
Where: Webster County, Sebree
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 37.600, -87.530

Tornado, Caldwell

When: October 18, 6:16 PM CST to 6:23 PM CST
Where: Caldwell County, 1 mi E of Creswell to 2.5 mi NNE of Fryer
Rating: EF1
Path length: 5.2 mi
Path width: 100 yd
Property damage: $25,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 37.270, -87.902

Numerous trees were snapped or uprooted. Much of the damage path was in forest inaccessible by vehicle. No structures were known to be in the path of this tornado. Secondary roads were blocked by downed trees. The peak estimated wind speed was 90 mph. The damage path ended in the vicinity of the intersection of Highways 293 and 1592.

Tornado, Caldwell

When: October 18, 6:25 PM CST to 6:37 PM CST
Where: Caldwell County, 1.2 mi W of Otter Pond to 3.6 mi ENE of Friendship
Rating: EF2
Path length: 8.83 mi
Path width: 300 yd
Property damage: $250,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 37.030, -87.842

Numerous trees were snapped or uprooted. Trees landed across roads. At least a half dozen small barns were destroyed. Several roofs were lifted and torn off houses. Major structural damage was reported to seven homes. Windows were broken in houses. Peak winds were estimated near 110 mph. The damage path ended very close to the boundary of the Pennyrile State Forest.

Tornado, McLean

When: October 18, 6:32 PM CST to 6:44 PM CST
Where: McLean County, 4.2 mi W of Beech Grove to 0.6 mi NNE of Elba
Rating: EF2
Path length: 6.62 mi
Path width: 360 yd
Continued into: Daviess, Ky (PAH)
Property damage: $400,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 37.620, -87.477

Twelve to fifteen farm buildings were damaged. Six to eight barns were destroyed. One home received heavy damage. Three to four more houses received minor damage. A garage and several vehicles were destroyed. A pontoon boat loaded on a trailer was moved 15 to 20 feet. Numerous trees and power lines were down. The funnel was photographed by a resident of the Beech Grove area. Peak winds were estimated at 120 mph. The average path width was 300 yards. The tornado continued into Daviess County.

Thunderstorm Wind, Fulton

When: October 18, 6:40 PM CST
Where: Fulton County, 2 mi SW of Hickman
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $35,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 36.550, -89.206

Numerous trees and power lines were down. One home received damage.

Tornado, Christian

When: October 18, 6:40 PM CST to 6:42 PM CST
Where: Christian County, 3.6 mi NW of Macedonia to 3.6 mi NNW of Macedonia
Rating: EF2
Path length: 1.4 mi
Path width: 300 yd
Injuries: 1 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $120,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 37.117, -87.716

A large area of trees was snapped and uprooted in the Pennyrile State Forest. Some of the trees were 50 to 60 feet tall. A clear path was seen through the forest. A mobile home was blown down a hill and smashed as the tornado crossed Highway 109. An occupant of the mobile home was briefly trapped and sustained lacerations and bruises. The road to the mobile home was blocked by numerous downed trees and trailer debris. Two other mobile homes were severely damaged. A barn were destroyed. Peak winds were estimated near 115 mph.

Tornado, Daviess

When: October 18, 6:44 PM CST to 7:05 PM CST
Where: Daviess County, 3 mi SW of St Joseph to 5 mi SW of Owensboro
Rating: EF2
Path length: 10.64 mi
Path width: 360 yd
Injuries: 4 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $500,000
Crop damage: $200,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 37.669, -87.369

The tornado crossed into Daviess County from Mclean County. Numerous structures were damaged or destroyed, mostly barns and outbuildings. Several residences were destroyed, and about two dozen others were damaged. Four persons were injured in the West Louisville area when their mobile home was destroyed. Their injuries were mostly minor, although a 4-year-old child was hospitalized in fair condition. The peak winds were estimated at 120 mph. The average path width was 300 yards.

Tornado, Hopkins

When: October 18, 6:48 PM CST to 6:51 PM CST
Where: Hopkins County, 4.3 mi SW of St Charles to 3.1 mi SSW of St Charles
Rating: EF2
Path length: 1.86 mi
Path width: 300 yd
Injuries: 1 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $150,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 37.136, -87.625

Numerous trees were snapped and uprooted as the tornado touched down. Three mobile homes were destroyed, including one with a bent frame. Debris from mobile homes was thrown several hundred yards. A resident of one of the mobile homes received a minor head injury when a tree fell into his residence. Another resident was briefly pinned under debris but was not injured. Rescue crews had difficulty reaching the scene due to trees across roads. Barns and one house were damaged. The damaged house suffered major roof damage, a destroyed porch, and siding damage. Numerous trees fell across roads and power lines. Peak winds were estimated near 120 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind, Marshall

When: October 18, 6:55 PM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Marshall County, Fairdealing to 2 mi ENE of Fairdealing
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $35,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 36.850, -88.230

Numerous trees were down. Several large trees were snapped off or uprooted. Most of the tree damage was in a subdivision on Kentucky Lake, where one tree fell on a house and caused significant roof damage. A shed was destroyed by a fallen tree.

Tornado, Trigg

When: October 18, 6:56 PM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Trigg County, 2.5 mi N of Canton to 4.2 mi NE of Canton
Rating: EF1
Path length: 3 mi
Path width: 75 yd
Property damage: $150,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 36.836, -87.950

Many large trees were downed. A boat dock was damaged by a falling tree. Part of a garage was damaged by a large tree limb. Part of a roof was blown off a house. The northeast corner of a tin roof garage was peeled back. One home sustained tree damage. Two cabins in Lake Barkley State Resort Park sustained roof damage. The state park was closed for most of the following day, mostly due to trees and power lines blocking access to the park. Peak winds were estimated up to 100 mph. The tornado occurred near the east shore of Lake Barkley.

Tornado, Hopkins

When: October 18, 6:58 PM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Hopkins County, 0.5 mi W of Nortonville to 1.5 mi NE of Nortonville
Rating: EF1
Path length: 2 mi
Path width: 100 yd
Property damage: $80,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 37.200, -87.479

Wooden roofs were removed from two masonry buildings. One tree fell on a house. A gas station canopy was damaged. Power lines were downed due to fallen trees. Tops of trees were torn off, and some trees were uprooted. Peak winds were estimated near 95 mph.

Hail, Calloway

When: October 18, 7:00 PM CST
Where: Calloway County, 1 mi S of Murray
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: Amateur Radio
Coordinates: 36.605, -88.320

Hail, Marshall

When: October 18, 7:00 PM CST
Where: Marshall County, 2 mi ENE of Fairdealing
Measured: 1.25 in hail
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 36.861, -88.197

Thunderstorm Wind, Hopkins

When: October 18, 7:04 PM CST
Where: Hopkins County, Mortons Gap
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 37.230, -87.480

Tornado, Calloway

When: October 18, 7:07 PM CST to 7:17 PM CST
Where: Calloway County, 8 mi ESE of Murray to 1.5 mi N of Hamlin
Rating: EF1
Path length: 7.23 mi
Path width: 180 yd
Property damage: $60,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 36.576, -88.187

Hundreds of trees were snapped and uprooted. One home received major roof damage, primarily from falling trees. Roads were blocked by downed trees. The average path width was 150 yards. Peak winds were estimated near 95 mph. The tornado path ended at the shore of Kentucky Lake.

Tornado, Daviess

When: October 18, 7:09 PM CST to 7:20 PM CST
Where: Daviess County, 2.5 mi W of Owensboro to 5 mi NE of Owensboro
Rating: EF3
Path length: 6.99 mi
Path width: 360 yd
Injuries: 8 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $12 million
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 37.770, -87.166

About a dozen homes were destroyed, and close to 150 others were damaged. An additional 20 public or commercial buildings were destroyed or condemned. Damage to commercial and public buildings, including churches and schools, was estimated near 10.5 million dollars. Residential structures sustained about 1 million dollars in damage. Two historic churches suffered severe damage. The steeple of one church collapsed into the sanctuary. About 125 people were in the church at the time of the collapse, including 25 where the steeple fell into the sanctuary. They all moved to the basement 5 or 10 minutes before the storm hit, sparing anyone from death or serious injury. On the west side of Owensboro, a man was trapped in his overturned mobile home. He received only minor injuries. A motel was heavily damaged, with nearly the entire roof blown off. Several guests at the motel were treated for injuries, mostly abrasions from falling debris. Almost every building at Brescia University was damaged, mostly to the roofs. Windows were blown out of the science building. Elsewhere, a delivery truck was overturned. Piles of debris from collapsed garages, warehouses, and roofs lined downtown streets during the cleanup. Tobacco warehouses downtown were destroyed or heavily damaged. The most serious damage was in a 12 to 15 square block area in and near downtown. Nearly all city streets were reopened and nearly all power was restored within a few days after the tornado. Peak winds were estimated at 155 mph where the EF-3 damage occurred in downtown Owensboro. The damage path began just northeast of the Owensboro-Daviess County Airport, then curved northeast through the riverfront area of downtown Owensboro. The average path width was 300 yards.

Hail, Graves

When: October 18, 7:10 PM CST
Where: Graves County, Mayfield
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 36.730, -88.630

Tornado, Trigg

When: October 18, 7:23 PM CST to 7:24 PM CST
Where: Trigg County, 2.5 mi SW of Linton to 1.5 mi SW of Linton
Rating: EF0
Path length: 1 mi
Path width: 50 yd
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 36.654, -87.932

Several trees were uprooted. The tornado occurred just south of Pryor Bay on the west side of Lake Barkley. This location is in the Land Between The Lakes National Recreation Area, very close to the Tennessee state line. Peak winds were estimated near 80 mph.

Tornado, Trigg

When: October 18, 7:32 PM CST to 7:45 PM CST
Where: Trigg County, 3.6 mi NE of Linton to 9 mi SE of Cadiz
Rating: EF2
Path length: 9.28 mi
Path width: 200 yd
Property damage: $120,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 36.717, -87.854

Numerous trees were uprooted and blown down. Metal debris was embedded in several trees. Two barns were destroyed. One large garage was destroyed. Debris from the garage was blown up to three quarters of a mile, and projectiles were embedded in the ground up to 200 yards away. Four power poles were snapped. Peak winds were estimated near 120 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind, Todd

When: October 18, 8:50 PM CST to 9:00 PM CST
Where: Todd County, Trenton to Guthrie
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $75,000
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 36.720, -87.270

Trees fell on a trailer in Trenton. Two homes, one business, a car, and a truck were damaged by falling trees in Guthrie.

Hail, Muhlenberg

When: October 18, 8:51 PM CST
Where: Muhlenberg County, Beech Creek
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 37.180, -87.070

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

Every storm in Kentucky in 2007 Every state in 2007 This day in weather history The tornado archive for Kentucky, 2007 Warnings in Kentucky, October 2007

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 2026-09-30. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 59800, 59799, 59801, 59803, 59798, 59802, 59796, 59804, 59795, 59837, 59842, 59841, 59843, 59806, 59838, 59836, 59844, 59807, 59853, 59849, 59845, 59791, 59857, 59846, 59858, 59793, 59855, 59854, 59808, 59839, 59784, 59859, 59840, 59809, 59860, 59856, 59783, 59810.