A deepening low pressure center tracked north-northeast from northeast Texas to eastern Missouri. A strong southerly wind flow brought abundant moisture northward across the Lower Ohio Valley and southeast Missouri.
Every event with a place to put it. Tap one for its entry below.
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 episode as NWS PAH wrote it up.
A deepening low pressure center tracked north-northeast from northeast Texas to eastern Missouri. A strong southerly wind flow brought abundant moisture northward across the Lower Ohio Valley and southeast Missouri. Widespread rainfall amounts from two to four inches occurred, with up to six inches in the hilly terrain north and west of Poplar Bluff.
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 Dec 24, 5:49 AM CST, 5 hours 11 minutes earlier.
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PADUCAH KY
549 AM CST THU DEC 24 2009
.UPDATE...
UPDATED AVIATION SECTION FOR 12Z TAF ISSUANCE. DISCUSSION SECTION IS
UNCHANGED FROM THE 252 AM ISSUANCE.
&&
.DISCUSSION...
INTENSE UPPER LEVEL SHORTWAVE WILL ACQUIRE A STRONG NEGATIVE TILT AS
IT MOVES NORTHEAST ACROSS OUR REGION THIS EVENING. ASSOCIATED
SURFACE LOW WILL DEEPEN TO AROUND 990 MB AS IT TRACKS NORTH ACROSS
EASTERN MISSOURI TONIGHT. THIS SYSTEM WILL BE ACCOMPANIED BY STRONG
DEEP FORCING FOR ASCENT...RESULTING IN HEAVY RAINFALL. MOST GUIDANCE
REMAINS IN GOOD AGREEMENT THAT AXIS OF HEAVIEST QPF WILL BE ACROSS
SOUTHEAST MISSOURI...CLOSEST TO THE SURFACE LOW TRACK AND POSSIBLY
AIDED BY OROGRAPHIC EFFECTS WITH EAST/SOUTHEAST FLOW ENCOUNTERING
THE OZARK FOOTHILLS. LOCATION AND TIMING OF FLOOD WATCH LOOKS VERY
GOOD. TOTAL RAINFALL STILL LOOKS ON THE ORDER OF A COUPLE OR THREE
INCHES IN THE WATCH AREA...LOCALLY HIGHER IN THE HILLY TERRAIN OF SE
MISSOURI.
AS FOR THE WIND THREAT...THERE WILL BE A STRONG LOW LEVEL FRONTAL
INVERSION. DESPITE TREMENDOUS LOW LEVEL WIND FIELDS /80 KNOTS AT 850
MB/...MIXING THIS WIND DOWN WILL BE DIFFICULT. GFS HAS BEEN
INDICATING 40 KNOTS BARELY OFF THE SURFACE...SO EVEN THE WEAKEST
MIXING CONDITIONS COULD STILL YIELD ADVISORY LEVEL WIND GUSTS.
FOLLOWING THE PASSAGE OF THE OCCLUDED FRONT LATER TONIGHT...MIXING
HEIGHTS WILL RISE RAPIDLY. HOWEVER...WIND FIELDS WILL BE DECREASING
STEADILY. AS A RESULT...WIND GUSTS SHOULD BE MARGINAL FOR AN
ADVISORY. COULD SEE A MESOSCALE TYPE WIND EVENT IMMEDIATELY BEHIND
THE FRONT TONIGHT...BUT THIS IS TOUGH FOR MOST CONVENTIONAL MODELS
TO PICK UP.
ONCE THE OCCLUDED FRONT PASSES...COLDER AIR WILL RUSH IN LATER
TONIGHT AND REMAIN THROUGH THE NEXT SEVERAL DAYS. THE UPPER LOW WILL
BECOME QUASI STATIONARY OVER THE UPPER MISSISSIPPI VALLEY INTO THE
WEEKEND. MODELS ARE INCREASINGLY SHOWING STRONGER IMPULSES ROTATING
AROUND THE LOW...WHICH RESULT IN SOME SPOTTY QPF AND HIGHER MODEL
POPS. DUE TO LIMITED MOISTURE AND MODEL DIFFERENCES IN THE STRENGTH
AND TIMING OF THESE IMPULSES...FLURRIES OR A SLIGHT CHANCE OF LIGHT
SNOW WILL BE FORECAST FRIDAY NIGHT THROUGH SUNDAY.
TEMPS WILL BE A BLEND OF GFS MOS AND SREF 2 METER TEMPS THROUGH
CHRISTMAS NIGHT...THEN AT OR SLIGHTLY BELOW GFS MOS THIS WEEKEND.
AT LONGER RANGES...HIGH PRESSURE WILL MOVE EAST ACROSS THE REGION
EARLY IN THE WEEK. A 500 MB SHORTWAVE OF PACIFIC ORIGIN WILL
APPROACH FROM THE SOUTHWEST ABOUT MID WEEK. THIS SHORTWAVE WILL
INCREASE CLOUDS...BUT FORECAST WILL BE KEPT DRY DUE TO CONCERNS
ABOUT MOISTURE AVAILABILITY AND LACK OF LOW LEVEL FORCING.
&&
.AVIATION...
EMPHASIZED THE FIRST 3-4 HOURS OF THE PERIOD FOR WIDESPREAD MVFR
CONDITIONS IN MODERATE TO HEAVY RAINFALL. IFR CONDITIONS WILL BE
VERY POSSIBLE IN THE WEST INCLUDING KCGI AND KPAH. THE MIDDLE PART
OF THE DAY SHOULD SEE AN IMPROVEMENT...AS WE SHOULD BE BETWEEN WAVES
OF PRECIPITATION WITH MVFR TO VFR CONDITIONS.
IFR OR LOW MVFR CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED WITH THE PRIMARY FRONTAL
BAND OF RAINS WHICH WILL PASS THROUGH THE AREA FROM MID AFTERNOON IN
THE FAR WEST THROUGH AROUND MIDNIGHT IN THE EAST.
TRIED TO KEEP GUSTS IN REASONABLE CHECK THROUGH THE DAY...AND THEN
HIT THEM HARDEST BEHIND THE FRONT TONIGHT...WHEN THE BOUNDARY/MIXED
LAYER DEEPENS AND STRONGER WINDS WILL BE ABLE TO REACH THE GROUND.
&&
.PAH WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
KY...WIND ADVISORY FROM 6 AM THIS MORNING TO 6 AM CST FRIDAY FOR
BALLARD-CALDWELL-CALLOWAY-CARLISLE-CHRISTIAN-CRITTENDEN-
DAVIESS-FULTON-GRAVES-HENDERSON-HICKMAN-HOPKINS-LIVINGSTON-
LYON-MARSHALL-MCCRACKEN-MCLEAN-MUHLENBERG-TODD-TRIGG-UNION
KY-WEBSTER.
MO...FLOOD WATCH THROUGH THIS EVENING FOR BOLLINGER-BUTLER-CAPE
GIRARDEAU-CARTER-MISSISSIPPI-NEW MADRID-PERRY MO-RIPLEY-
SCOTT-STODDARD-WAYNE MO.
WIND ADVISORY FROM 6 AM THIS MORNING TO 6 AM CST FRIDAY FOR
BOLLINGER-BUTLER-CAPE GIRARDEAU-CARTER-MISSISSIPPI-NEW
MADRID-PERRY MO-RIPLEY-SCOTT-STODDARD-WAYNE MO.
IL...FLOOD WATCH THROUGH THIS EVENING FOR ALEXANDER-EDWARDS-FRANKLIN-
HAMILTON-JACKSON-JEFFERSON-JOHNSON-PERRY IL-PULASKI-SALINE-
UNION IL-WABASH-WAYNE IL-WHITE-WILLIAMSON.
WIND ADVISORY FROM 6 AM THIS MORNING TO 6 AM CST FRIDAY FOR
ALEXANDER-EDWARDS-FRANKLIN-GALLATIN-HAMILTON-HARDIN-JACKSON-
JEFFERSON-JOHNSON-MASSAC-PERRY IL-POPE-PULASKI-SALINE-UNION
IL-WABASH-WAYNE IL-WHITE-WILLIAMSON.
IN...WIND ADVISORY FROM 6 AM THIS MORNING TO 6 AM CST FRIDAY FOR
GIBSON-PIKE-POSEY-SPENCER-VANDERBURGH-WARRICK.
&&
PUBLIC...MY
AVIATION...DRSHAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PADUCAH KY 950 AM CST THU DEC 24 2009 ILZ075>078-080>094-INZ081-082-085>088-KYZ001>022-MOZ076-086-087- 100-107>112-114-251100- 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- 950 AM CST THU DEC 24 2009 THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR PORTIONS OF SOUTHERN ILLINOIS...SOUTHWEST INDIANA...WESTERN KENTUCKY...AND SOUTHEAST MISSOURI. .DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT A FLOOD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR SOUTHEAST MISSOURI AND ALL BUT EXTREME SOUTHEAST ILLINOIS THROUGH THIS EVENING. MOST WATCH RELATED FLOODING WILL BE MINOR FLOOD ISSUES RELATED TO THE RECEIPT OF WHAT WILL BE STORM TOTALS MAINLY IN THE 2 TO 3 INCH RANGE...THOUGH ISOLATED HIGHER AMOUNTS ARE POSSIBLE. REFER TO THE WATCH FOR MORE DETAILS. A WIND ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT THROUGH TONIGHT. WINDS WONT REALLY PICK UP IN EARNEST UNTIL THIS EVENING...BUT SUSTAINED WINDS 15 TO 30 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 45 MPH ARE STILL FORECAST BY TONIGHT. REFER TO THE ADVISORY FOR MORE DETAILS. ANY THUNDERSTORMS WILL BE ISOLATED WITH HEAVY RAIN AND LIGHTNING THE PRIMARY ASSOCIATED HAZARDS. SEVERE WEATHER IS NOT EXPECTED. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...FRIDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY WINDS WILL REMAIN BRISK CHRISTMAS DAY WITH GUSTS IN THE 30 TO 40 MPH RANGE POSSIBLE. COMBINED WITH COLDER TEMPERATURES...WIND CHILLS IN THE TEENS AND 20S CAN BE EXPECTED CHRISTMAS DAY AND NIGHT. LIGHT SNOW OR FLURRIES IS A POSSIBILITY BUT NO ACCUMULATION IS EXPECTED. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... SPOTTER RELAY OF WIND AND RAIN REPORTS IS APPRECIATED.
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PADUCAH KY 930 AM CST THU DEC 24 2009 ILZ075>078-080>094-INZ081-082-085>088-KYZ001>006-MOZ076-086-087- 100-107>112-114-241900- 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- PERRY MO-BOLLINGER-CAPE GIRARDEAU-WAYNE MO-CARTER-RIPLEY-BUTLER- STODDARD-SCOTT-MISSISSIPPI-NEW MADRID- INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...MOUNT VERNON...FAIRFIELD...ALBION... MOUNT CARMEL...PINCKNEYVILLE...WEST FRANKFORT...MCLEANSBORO... CARMI...CARBONDALE...HERRIN...HARRISBURG...SHAWNEETOWN... JONESBORO...VIENNA...GOLCONDA...ELIZABETHTOWN...CAIRO... MOUND CITY...METROPOLIS...FORT BRANCH...PETERSBURG...POSEYVILLE... EVANSVILLE...BOONVILLE...ROCKPORT...HICKMAN...CLINTON... BARDWELL...WICKLIFFE...PADUCAH...MAYFIELD...PERRYVILLE... MARBLE HILL...CAPE GIRARDEAU...PIEDMONT...VAN BUREN...DONIPHAN... POPLAR BLUFF...BLOOMFIELD...SIKESTON...CHARLESTON...NEW MADRID 930 AM CST THU DEC 24 2009 ...WET ROADS AND FULL DITCHES LEADING TO DANGEROUS DRIVING CONDITIONS... MODERATE TO HEAVY RAINFALL...COMBINED WITH POOR DRAINAGE...HAS CAUSED MANY DITCHES TO BECOME FULL ACROSS SOUTHEAST MISSOURI...SOUTHERN ILLINOIS...AND FAR WEST KENTUCKY THIS MORNING. THOUGH NO FLOODING HAS BEEN REPORTED...FULL DITCHES ARE CAUSING DEEP PUDDLES ALONG THE EDGES OF SOME ROADWAYS. THESE PUDDLES...AND ALSO AREAS OF HEAVY RAINFALL...WILL LEAD TO INCREASED HYDROPLANING DANGER ACROSS THE REGION THROUGH THE DAY. USE EXTRA CAUTION ON THIS BUSY TRAVEL DAY BY SLOWING DOWN...AND BE ALERT FOR WATER HAZARDS ON AREA ROADS. RST
The Memphis radar (KNQA), 138 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 17:01 UTC.
9 flood, 2 flash flood. Local standard time, as filed.
King Creek rose up to the bridge on County Road 421.
A few state roads were closed due to flooding, including sections of Routes EE, H, and PP.
Several state roads were closed due to flooding, including sections of Routes C, E, FF, KK, and M. Most of these closures were off Route 34 in the northern part of the county.
Near Bernie, a woman drowned when her vehicle hydroplaned off Highway U and into a water-filled drainage ditch. The car drifted downstream over 400 feet until it lodged on a large culvert. Two passers-by tried to rescue her as she exited the partially submerged vehicle, but the strong current swept her away. Elsewhere in the county, a few state roads were closed due to flooding, including sections of Routes O, T, U, and Z. Overflowing creeks prompted the closure of T Highway from Highway 51 to J Highway.
A few state roads were closed due to flooding. State Route K was closed just north of Route B. State Route M was closed seven miles north of U.S. Highway 60. State Route Z was closed two miles south of Route 103.
Harris Creek overflowed its banks onto Highway 142 at Oxly. Water was over Highway A several miles southwest of Doniphan.
To the north of State Highway UU, County Routes 351 and 350 were impassable due to flooding from the Whitewater River.
Numerous state roads were closed due to flooding. State Route 51 was closed near Highway FF. State Route 53 was closed at Route 51. State Route AA was closed at Route 51. State Route CC was closed between Highways 51 and 53. State Route DD was closed at Route 51. Sections of Routes H, FF, N, OO, U, and UU were also closed.
A few state roads were closed due to flooding, including Routes 91, W, and Z.
A few state roads were closed due to flooding, including sections of Routes D and E.
A few state roads were closed by flooding, including sections of Routes NN, H, and K.
As the offices recorded each death: direct deaths were caused by the weather itself, indirect ones by something it set in motion.
| Event | Date | Age | Sex | Where | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood, Butler | 2009-12-24 | 39 | Female | Vehicle/Towed Trailer | Indirect |
| Flood, Stoddard | 2009-12-24 | 39 | Female | Vehicle/Towed Trailer | Direct |
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Missouri in 2009Every state in 2009This day in weather historyWarnings in Missouri, December 2009
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: 202334, 202356, 202351, 202358, 202341, 202335, 202337, 202349, 202344, 202355, 202361.