Kentucky, 2009

Ice Storm and Winter Storm in Kentucky, January 27 to 29, 2009

January 27 to 29, 2009 · NWS JKL · 60 events in 28 counties and zones

A major winter storm affected Eastern Kentucky beginning on January 27th. A low pressure system moved northeast from the Gulf Coast States, reaching Eastern Kentucky by the morning of the 28th.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 60 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. 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
0
Property damage
None recorded
Crop damage
None recorded
Events
60

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 JKL wrote it up.

A major winter storm affected Eastern Kentucky beginning on January 27th. A low pressure system moved northeast from the Gulf Coast States, reaching Eastern Kentucky by the morning of the 28th. Snow, sleet, and freezing rain overspread the area during the early morning hours on the 27th. The precipitation gradually changed to all freezing rain, with some plain rain closer to the Tennessee border. By the morning of the 28th, numerous trees and power lines were brought down due to the weight of the ice from freezing rain. An estimated 100,000 people were without power. Some were without power for more than a week. Communications systems were affected, with both land line and cellular service inoperative. FEMA estimated that over $13 million in damage occurred as a result of the ice storm in eastern Kentucky alone. Estill, Johnson, Magoffin, and Morgan counties all received over $1 million dollars in federal aid respectively to help with recovery and cleanup.

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 Jackson, KY wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Jan 26, 9:11 PM EST, 2 hours 49 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Jan 26, 9:11 PM EST, 2 hours 49 minutes before
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The radar

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

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

43 ice storm, 10 winter weather, 3 heavy snow, 2 winter storm, 2 sleet. Local standard time, as filed.

Winter Weather, Rowan

When
January 27, 12:00 AM EST to January 28, 6:00 PM EST
Where
Rowan forecast zone
Reported by
CoCoRaHS
Coordinates
38.196, -83.421 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Three inches of snow and sleet accumulated 6 miles northeast of Morehead.

Heavy Snow, Fleming

When
January 27, 12:30 AM EST to January 28, 7:00 PM EST
Where
Fleming forecast zone
Reported by
County Official
Coordinates
38.370, -83.697 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Five inches of snow and sleet accumulated in Flemingsburg.

Heavy Snow, Bath

When
January 27, 1:00 AM EST to January 28, 8:00 PM EST
Where
Bath forecast zone
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
38.145, -83.743 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The public estimated that 4 inches of snow and sleet had accumulated 3 miles northeast of Sharpsburg.

Winter Weather, Bath

When
January 27, 1:00 AM EST to January 28, 8:00 PM EST
Where
Bath forecast zone
Reported by
Law Enforcement
Coordinates
38.145, -83.743 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Dispatch estimated that 2 inches of snow and sleet had accumulated in Owingsville along with a thin glaze of ice.

Ice Storm, Knott

When
January 27, 1:00 AM EST to 11:00 AM EST
Where
Knott forecast zone
Reported by
Law Enforcement
Coordinates
37.354, -82.954 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Dispatch estimated that between one eigth and one quarter of an inch of ice from freezing rain had accumulated on trees around the dispatch office.

Winter Storm, Montgomery

When
January 27, 1:00 AM EST to January 29, 4:00 PM EST
Where
Montgomery forecast zone
Reported by
Law Enforcement
Coordinates
38.034, -83.913 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Dispatch estimated that three inches of snow and one-half inch of ice had accumulated in Mount Sterling.

Winter Storm, Menifee

When
January 27, 1:00 AM EST to January 28, 6:00 PM EST
Where
Menifee forecast zone
Reported by
Law Enforcement
Coordinates
37.941, -83.599 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Over two inches of snow had fallen with more than one half inch of sleet/ice accumulation.

Ice Storm, Estill

When
January 27, 2:00 AM EST to January 28, 7:00 PM EST
Where
Estill forecast zone
Reported by
Law Enforcement
Coordinates
37.693, -83.964 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Ice accumulation of one quarter of an inch was reported in Irvine.

Ice Storm, Estill

When
January 27, 2:00 AM EST to January 28, 7:00 PM EST
Where
Estill forecast zone
Reported by
COOP Observer
Coordinates
37.693, -83.964 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A volunteer weather observer reported an fourth tenths of an inch of ice accumulation due to freezing rain at Cressy.

Ice Storm, Estill

When
January 27, 2:00 AM EST to January 28, 7:00 PM EST
Where
Estill forecast zone
Reported by
CoCoRaHS
Coordinates
37.693, -83.964 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A volunteer weather observer reported fourth tenths of an inch of ice accumulation due to freezing rain 9 miles north northwest of Irvine.

Winter Weather, Rowan

When
January 27, 2:00 AM EST to January 28, 6:00 PM EST
Where
Rowan forecast zone
Reported by
County Official
Coordinates
38.196, -83.421 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Two inches of snow and sleet accumulated in Morehead.

Ice Storm, Powell

When
January 27, 2:00 AM EST to January 28, 6:00 PM EST
Where
Powell forecast zone
Reported by
CoCoRaHS
Coordinates
37.831, -83.824 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A volunteer weather observer reported a half an inch of snow and three tenths of an inch of ice accumulation in Stanton.

Ice Storm, Rockcastle

When
January 27, 2:00 AM EST to January 28, 7:00 PM EST
Where
Rockcastle forecast zone
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
37.365, -84.316 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

One quarter of an inch of ice accumulation due to freezing rain occurred in valley locations around the county. Ridgetop locations experiences ice accumulations of three eights to one quarter of an inch.

Ice Storm, Estill

When
January 27, 2:00 AM EST to January 28, 7:00 PM EST
Where
Estill forecast zone
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
37.693, -83.964 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

One quarter of an inch of ice accretion from freezing rain was reported in the northern portion of the county.

Ice Storm, Powell

When
January 27, 2:05 AM EST to January 28, 6:00 PM EST
Where
Powell forecast zone
Reported by
Law Enforcement
Coordinates
37.831, -83.824 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Dispatch estimated one quarter of an inch of ice due to freezing rain accumulated in Clay City.

Ice Storm, Rockcastle

When
January 27, 2:30 AM EST to January 28, 7:00 PM EST
Where
Rockcastle forecast zone
Reported by
Department of Highways
Coordinates
37.365, -84.316 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Rockcastle County Highway Dept estimated one quarter to one half of an inch of ice accumulation from freezing rain in Mount Vernon.

Ice Storm, Laurel

When
January 27, 2:30 AM EST to 12:00 PM EST
Where
Laurel forecast zone
Reported by
CoCoRaHS
Coordinates
37.111, -84.118 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A weather observer reported one quarter of an inch of ice accumulation from freezing rain near London.

Heavy Snow, Bath

When
January 27, 2:30 AM EST to January 28, 8:00 PM EST
Where
Bath forecast zone
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
38.145, -83.743 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

An estimated 4 inches of snow and sleet had accumulated 3 miles northeast of Sharpsburg.

Ice Storm, Rowan

When
January 27, 2:30 AM EST to January 28, 6:00 PM EST
Where
Rowan forecast zone
Reported by
CoCoRaHS
Coordinates
38.196, -83.421 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Three eights of an inch of ice accumulation occurred 5 miles west southwest of Morehead.

Winter Weather, Fleming

When
January 27, 2:30 AM EST to January 28, 5:30 PM EST
Where
Fleming forecast zone
Reported by
COOP Observer
Coordinates
38.370, -83.697 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Three inches of snow and sleet accumulated in Hillsboro.

Winter Weather, Rowan

When
January 27, 2:30 AM EST to January 28, 6:00 PM EST
Where
Rowan forecast zone
Reported by
County Official
Coordinates
38.196, -83.421 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Two inches of sleet and snow, along with one tenth of an inch of ice from freezing rain, had accumulated in Morehead.

Winter Weather, Powell

When
January 27, 2:30 AM EST to January 28, 6:00 PM EST
Where
Powell forecast zone
Reported by
CoCoRaHS
Coordinates
37.831, -83.824 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A volunteer weather observer reported sixth tenths of an inch of snow accumulation and one tenth of an inch of ice accumulation in Stanton.

Ice Storm, Jackson

When
January 27, 2:30 AM EST to January 28, 7:00 PM EST
Where
Jackson forecast zone
Reported by
Law Enforcement
Coordinates
37.420, -84.006 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Jackson county dispatch reported around one quarter of an inch of ice accumulation from freezing rain in McKee.

Ice Storm, Powell

When
January 27, 2:30 AM EST to January 28, 6:00 PM EST
Where
Powell forecast zone
Reported by
Law Enforcement
Coordinates
37.831, -83.824 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Dispatch estimated one quarter of an inch of ice accumulation, with only a trace of sleet, in Clay City.

Ice Storm, Lee

When
January 27, 2:45 AM EST to January 28, 6:45 PM EST
Where
Lee forecast zone
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
37.595, -83.716 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Three quarters of an inch of ice accretion from freezing rain was reported. Several large trees were brought down due to the weight of the ice.

Ice Storm, Owsley

When
January 27, 3:00 AM EST to January 28, 6:00 PM EST
Where
Owsley forecast zone
Reported by
Law Enforcement
Coordinates
37.419, -83.683 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Owsley County dispatch estimated that a quarter to a half inch of ice had accumulated from freezing rain in Booneville.

Ice Storm, Leslie

When
January 27, 3:00 AM EST to 3:00 PM EST
Where
Leslie forecast zone
Reported by
Law Enforcement
Coordinates
37.094, -83.381 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The Leslie County Highway Dept. estimated that one quarter of an inch of ice from freezing rain in Hyden.

Ice Storm, Clay

When
January 27, 3:00 AM EST to 6:00 PM EST
Where
Clay forecast zone
Reported by
Law Enforcement
Coordinates
37.160, -83.715 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Clay county dispatch in Manchester estimated that one quarter of an inch of ice from freezing rain had accumulated in their parking lot.

Sleet, Morgan

When
January 27, 3:00 AM EST to 1:00 PM EST
Where
Morgan forecast zone
Reported by
NWS Employee
Coordinates
37.922, -83.259 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

An NWS employee reported one half inch of sleet accumulation. The precipitation had changed over to freezing rain by the time the report was phoned in.

Ice Storm, Morgan

When
January 27, 3:00 AM EST to 1:00 PM EST
Where
Morgan forecast zone
Reported by
COOP Observer
Coordinates
37.922, -83.259 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A cooperative weather observer measured one quarter of an inch of ice accumulation from freezing rain in Ezel.

Ice Storm, Floyd

When
January 27, 3:00 AM EST to January 28, 6:00 PM EST
Where
Floyd forecast zone
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
37.557, -82.746 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The public estimated that half an inch of ice accumulation from freezing rain had occurred in Prestonsburg.

Ice Storm, Lee

When
January 27, 3:00 AM EST to January 28, 6:00 PM EST
Where
Lee forecast zone
Reported by
COOP Observer
Coordinates
37.595, -83.716 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

One half of inch of ice accumulation due to freezing rain was reported to the Jackson weather office by a coop-erative weather observer near Heidelberg.

Ice Storm, Wolfe

When
January 27, 3:00 AM EST to 1:00 PM EST
Where
Wolfe forecast zone
Reported by
COOP Observer
Coordinates
37.739, -83.493 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A weather observer reported one quarter of an inch of ice accumulation due to freezing rain in Rogers.

Ice Storm, Pulaski

When
January 27, 3:00 AM EST to 12:00 PM EST
Where
Pulaski forecast zone
Reported by
COOP Observer
Coordinates
37.104, -84.577 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

At least one quarter of an inch of ice from freezing rain had accumulated on trees and sidewalks near Somerset.

Ice Storm, Perry

When
January 27, 3:00 AM EST to 6:00 PM EST
Where
Perry forecast zone
Reported by
NWS Employee
Coordinates
37.244, -83.221 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

At least one quarter of an inch of ice accumulation due to freezing rain occurred 3 miles northwest of Hazard.

Ice Storm, Breathitt

When
January 27, 3:00 AM EST to January 28, 7:00 PM EST
Where
Breathitt forecast zone
Reported by
Official NWS Observations
Coordinates
37.522, -83.324 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

One quarter of an inch of glaze from freezing rain had accumulated at the Jackson weather office, along with four tenths of an inch of sleet and snow.

Ice Storm, Knott

When
January 27, 3:00 AM EST to 4:00 PM EST
Where
Knott forecast zone
Reported by
Law Enforcement
Coordinates
37.354, -82.954 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Dispatch estimated that between one eighth and one quarter of an inch of ice from freezing rain had accumulated on trees around the dispatch office.

Ice Storm, Magoffin

When
January 27, 3:00 AM EST to January 28, 7:00 PM EST
Where
Magoffin forecast zone
Reported by
Fire Department/Rescue
Coordinates
37.707, -83.065 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Search and rescue estimated that one quarter of an inch of ice from freezing rain had accumulated on trees near the station in Salyersville.

Winter Weather, Magoffin

When
January 27, 3:00 AM EST to January 28, 7:00 PM EST
Where
Magoffin forecast zone
Reported by
Law Enforcement
Coordinates
37.707, -83.065 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Dispatch estimated that one to one and a half inches of snow and sleet had accumulated in Salyersville.

Winter Weather, Breathitt

When
January 27, 3:00 AM EST to January 28, 7:00 PM EST
Where
Breathitt forecast zone
Reported by
CoCoRaHS
Coordinates
37.522, -83.324 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A volunteer weather observer reported one tenth of an inch of ice acccumulation and one tenth of an inch of sleet accumulation near Talbert.

Ice Storm, Breathitt

When
January 27, 3:00 AM EST to January 28, 7:00 PM EST
Where
Breathitt forecast zone
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
37.522, -83.324 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A trained spotter estimated three tenths of an inch of ice accumulation from freezing rain at Davis Fork.

Ice Storm, Wolfe

When
January 27, 3:00 AM EST to January 28, 6:00 PM EST
Where
Wolfe forecast zone
Reported by
County Official
Coordinates
37.739, -83.493 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

An estimated one half inch of ice accumulation occurred in Campton. Trees were downed around the county due to the weight of the ice.

Ice Storm, Lee

When
January 27, 3:00 AM EST to January 28, 6:00 PM EST
Where
Lee forecast zone
Reported by
NWS Employee
Coordinates
37.595, -83.716 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

One half inch of ice accumulation from freezing rain occurred in Beattyville. Numerous tree limbs were brought down due to the weight of the ice.

Ice Storm, Breathitt

When
January 27, 3:00 AM EST to January 28, 7:00 PM EST
Where
Breathitt forecast zone
Reported by
NWS Employee
Coordinates
37.522, -83.324 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Three tenths of an inch of ice accumulation due to freezing rain occurred in Jackson.

Ice Storm, Breathitt

When
January 27, 3:00 AM EST to January 28, 7:00 PM EST
Where
Breathitt forecast zone
Reported by
NWS Employee
Coordinates
37.522, -83.324 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Fourth tenths of an inch of ice accretion from freezing rain was measured at the Jackson weather office.

Ice Storm, Morgan

When
January 27, 3:00 AM EST to January 28, 7:00 PM EST
Where
Morgan forecast zone
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
37.922, -83.259 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

One half inch of ice accretion from freezing rain. One to two inches of snow and sleet fell across the county as well. Numerous trees were downed due to the weight of the ice.

Ice Storm, Morgan

When
January 27, 3:00 AM EST to 1:00 PM EST
Where
Morgan forecast zone
Reported by
NWS Employee
Coordinates
37.922, -83.259 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

An NWS employee reported one half inch of sleet accumulation. The precipitation had changed over to freezing rain by time the report was phoned in.

Ice Storm, Magoffin

When
January 27, 3:00 AM EST to January 28, 7:00 PM EST
Where
Magoffin forecast zone
Reported by
Fire Department/Rescue
Coordinates
37.707, -83.065 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Search and rescue estimated that one quarter of an inch of ice had accumulated on trees in the area.

Winter Weather, Wayne

When
January 27, 3:15 AM EST to 11:15 AM EST
Where
Wayne forecast zone
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
36.801, -84.829 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Up to one tenth of an inch of ice accumulation due to freezing was reported 9 miles west of Monticello.

Ice Storm, Jackson

When
January 27, 3:30 AM EST to January 28, 7:00 PM EST
Where
Jackson forecast zone
Reported by
Law Enforcement
Coordinates
37.420, -84.006 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The Jackson County dispatch reported around a quarter of an inch of ice accumulation from freezing rain in McKee.

Sleet, Elliott

When
January 27, 3:30 AM EST to January 28, 7:30 PM EST
Where
Elliott forecast zone
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
38.118, -83.098 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

One and a half inches of snow and sleet accumulated in Sandy Hook.

Ice Storm, Martin

When
January 27, 3:30 AM EST to January 28, 6:30 PM EST
Where
Martin forecast zone
Reported by
COOP Observer
Coordinates
37.802, -82.513 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

One quarter of an inch of ice accumulation from freezing rain occured 2 miles east of Inez.

Ice Storm, Johnson

When
January 27, 3:30 AM EST to January 28, 7:30 PM EST
Where
Johnson forecast zone
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
37.847, -82.831 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Trees and power lines down county wide due to the weight of ice on them. More than 8000 customers without power. At least three quarters to one inch of ice accumulation across portions of the county.

Ice Storm, Floyd

When
January 27, 3:30 AM EST to January 28, 7:00 PM EST
Where
Floyd forecast zone
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
37.557, -82.746 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The public estimated a half an inch of ice accumulation from freezing rain in Prestonsburg.

Ice Storm, Elliott

When
January 27, 3:30 AM EST to January 28, 7:30 PM EST
Where
Elliott forecast zone
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
38.118, -83.098 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

An emergency manager reported one and a half inches of snow and sleet accumulation in Sandy Hook. The precipitation had changed over to all sleet by the time of the report.

Winter Weather, Magoffin

When
January 27, 3:30 AM EST to January 28, 7:30 PM EST
Where
Magoffin forecast zone
Reported by
Law Enforcement
Coordinates
37.707, -83.065 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Dispatch estimated one to one and a half inches of snow and sleet accumulation with a half inch of that being sleet in Salyersville.

Ice Storm, Floyd

When
January 27, 3:45 AM EST to January 28, 6:45 PM EST
Where
Floyd forecast zone
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
37.557, -82.746 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Numerous trees and power lines were brought down by the weight of ice accretion due to freezing rain. At least one quarter of an inch of ice accumulation occurred.

Ice Storm, Johnson

When
January 27, 4:00 AM EST to 2:30 PM EST
Where
Johnson forecast zone
Reported by
COOP Observer
Coordinates
37.847, -82.831 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A weather observer reported one quarter of an inch of ice accumulation due to freezing rain near Paintsville.

Ice Storm, Pike

When
January 27, 4:00 AM EST to 2:00 PM EST
Where
Pike forecast zone
Reported by
COOP Observer
Coordinates
37.469, -82.396 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A cooperative weather observer reported one quarter of an inch of ice accumulation due to freezing rain 1 mile west of Belcher.

Ice Storm, Letcher

When
January 27, 4:15 AM EST to 1:30 PM EST
Where
Letcher forecast zone
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
37.121, -82.855 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A trained spotter estimated a quarter of an inch of ice on surfaces from freezing rain 3 miles northwest of Blackey.

What these are

Winter Weather
Snow, sleet or freezing rain below warning levels that still caused disruption, damage or casualties.
Heavy Snow
Snowfall reaching the local warning threshold without the other hazards of a winter storm.
Ice Storm
Freezing rain accumulating a quarter inch or more of ice, or less where it caused significant damage.
Winter Storm
A storm that brought snow, sleet or freezing rain at warning levels, usually over several hours or days.
Sleet
Sleet accumulating half an inch or more.

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

The same day elsewhere

More

Every storm in Kentucky in 2009Every state in 2009This day in weather historyWarnings in Kentucky, January 2009

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: 144859, 145592, 145874, 145877, 145879, 160167, 160180, 144669, 145589, 145590, 145594, 145611, 145619, 145622, 145600, 144675, 144678, 144867, 144868, 144869, 145596, 145604, 145870, 145880, 145625, 144670, 144671, 144673, 144674, 144676, 144677, 144844, 144848, 144853, 144864, 144866, 145598, 145601, 145602, 145603, and more.