A stalled cold front over the Mississippi Valley spawned thunderstorms producing heavy rain from northern Mississippi through middle Tennessee and central Kentucky into southern Indiana. With little movement of the front, training of storms produced record or near-record 2-day rainfall totals from 8 to 10+ inches in many locations across central Kentucky.
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 LMK wrote it up.
A stalled cold front over the Mississippi Valley spawned thunderstorms producing heavy rain from northern Mississippi through middle Tennessee and central Kentucky into southern Indiana. With little movement of the front, training of storms produced record or near-record 2-day rainfall totals from 8 to 10+ inches in many locations across central Kentucky. Major flooding occurred in at least 40 Kentucky counties, washing out roads and inundating municipal water treatment plants. Four lives were lost in Kentucky - three in vehicles and one in a home, where the resident was apparently electrocuted in high water. Over the following days, most area rivers were in flood, including some flooding along the main stem of the Ohio River.
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 Louisville, KY wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at May 1, 1:54 AM EST, 2 hours 21 minutes earlier.
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LOUISVILLE KY
254 AM EDT SAT MAY 1 2010
.SHORT TERM (EARLY THIS MORNING THROUGH SUNDAY NIGHT)...
...HEAVY RAINFALL EVENT THROUGH THE WEEKEND STILL ON TRACK...
EARLY THIS MORNING AND TODAY...
A BUSY SHORT TERM FORECAST IS IN STORE AS THIS WEEKEND SHOULD BRING
VERY HEAVY AMOUNTS OF RAINFALL AND THE CHANCE AT SOME SEVERE WEATHER
AS WELL. CURRENTLY...LINE OF THUNDERSTORMS IS STRETCHING FROM THE
GREAT LAKES SOUTHWESTWARD TO EASTERN TEXAS AND IS PRODUCING A
TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF LIGHTNING ALONG WITH SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS. THIS
LINE WILL MOVE INTO OUR AREA THIS MORNING AND A TORNADO WATCH HAS
BEEN ISSUED FOR OUR WESTERN COUPLE OF TIERS OF COUNTIES UNTIL 8 AM
EDT. LINE SHOULD WEAKEN AS IT MOVES EAST OF INTERSTATE 65 CORRIDOR
BY EARLY THIS AFTERNOON. HOW FAR EAST THE PROGRESSION MAKES IT WILL
PROVIDE TWO POSSIBLE SCENARIOS FOR LOUISVILLE METRO WEATHER THIS
AFTERNOON. HI RESOLUTION NMM MODEL HAS HANDLED CONVECTION THE BEST
TO THIS POINT AND HAVE RELIED ON ITS SOLUTION. THIS WOULD MOVE
SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS THROUGH THE AREA BY 2 PM OR A LITTLE
AFTER...OFFERING A RELATIVE BREAK IN PRECIPITATION FROM 2 PM THROUGH
ABOUT 10 PM THIS EVENING. THIS IS GOOD NEWS...HOWEVER IF SKIES ARE
ABLE TO CLEAR OUT A BIT THIS WILL PROVIDE THE OPPORTUNITY TO
DESTABILIZE THE ATMOSPHERE AND FORECAST SOUNDINGS INDICATE AN
ENVIRONMENT CONDUCIVE FOR SEVERE WEATHER. WILL HAVE TO MONITOR
SATELLITE TRENDS THIS AFTERNOON. OVERALL RAINFALL THROUGH THIS
EVENING SHOULD NOT AMOUNT TO MORE THAN AN INCH TO INCH AND A
HALF...ALTHOUGH LOCALIZED SPOTS COULD SEE AMOUNTS OVER 2 INCHES.
TONIGHT THROUGH SUNDAY NIGHT...
THE MAIN EVENT AS FAR AS RAINFALL IS CONCERNED WILL ARRIVE LATE
TONIGHT AND TOMORROW AS FRONTAL BOUNDARY STALLS NEAR THE AREA AND A
150 KNOT JET ROUNDS THE BASE OF A FULL LATITUDE TROUGH. THE RIGHT
REAR QUADRANT OF THIS JET STREAK WILL AID IN UPPER LEVEL DIVERGENCE
ALONG WITH DEEP LIFT/MOISTURE AS INDICATED ON MODEL TIME HEIGHTS.
ALSO...PWATS LOOK TO BE AROUND 2 INCHES THROUGHOUT THE COLUMN.
CONTINUED STRONG H85 LOW LEVEL JET WILL AID IN ENHANCING SHOWERS AND
THUNDERSTORMS AND MOISTURE TRANSPORT. THE OVERALL RESULT FROM ALL OF
THIS WILL BE AN ADDITIONAL 2 TO 4 INCHES OF RAINFALL WITH LOCALIZED
HIGHER AMOUNTS. OVERALL RAINFALL TOTALS FOR THE ENTIRE WEEKEND STILL
LOOK TO BE 2 TO 4 INCHES NORTH OF THE OHIO RIVER AND 4 TO 6 INCHES
SOUTH OF THE OHIO RIVER. LOCALLY HIGHER AMOUNTS ARE POSSIBLE. A
FLASH FLOOD WATCH GOES INTO EFFECT AT 8 AM THIS MORNING AND WILL
LAST UNTIL 8 AM MONDAY MORNING WHEN THE COLD FRONT FINALLY SWINGS
THROUGH AND SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS DECREASE.
ONE MORE ITEM OF NOTE...THE STORM PREDICTION CENTER HAS PLACED
CENTRAL KENTUCKY AND SOUTHERN INDIANA IN A SLIGHT RISK FOR SEVERE
WEATHER TODAY AND TONIGHT...INTO SUNDAY. THE MAIN THREATS SHOULD BE
DAMAGING WINDS...LARGE HAIL AND ISOLATED TORNADOES.
.LONG TERM (MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY)...
MON-FRI...
WELL...VERY PITHY AFD DUE TO LINE OF STORMS APPROACHING WRN CWA.
MON...
MODELS ARE STILL SUGGESTING SOME LIGHT RAIN POSSIBLE ON MONDAY IN
THE WAKE OF THE MAIN SYSTEM AS CAA ENCROACHES THE CWA...BUT LEFT
WHAT THE DAY SHIFT HAD IN FCST CHC-SLGT CHC.
MON NIGHT-THU...
DRY CONDITIONS AND ABOVE NORMAL TEMPERATURES WILL DOMINATE WITH
DECENT AGREEMENT BETWEEN MODELS...AND FOLLOWED HPC MODEL CONSENSUS.
WITH SFC HIGH OVER ERN CWA WED AM...LOWERED TEMPS A FEW
DEGREES...VALLEY AREAS WILL BE IN THE UPPER 40S. FOG COULD BE A
PROBLEM ON TUE AND WED AM WITH CLOUDS CLEARING...LIGHTER WINDS AND A
SATURATED GROUND ESPECIALLY ON WED.
FRIDAY...FROM PREVIOUS DISCUSSION 324 PM EDT FRI APR 30 2010
ON FRIDAY ANOTHER WEATHER SYSTEM MAY APPROACH THE REGION BUT MODELS
ARE IN DISAGREEMENT AS FAR AS TIMING. TEMPS LOOK TO STAY 5-10
DEGREES ABOVE NORMAL FOR NEXT WEEK.
&&
.AVIATION (06Z TAF ISSUANCE)...
MANY ISSUES FOR THIS TAF PERIOD.
WELL...WINDS ARE THE 1ST ISSUE. SLY WINDS ARE RUNNING 7-12 MPH AT
SFC...HOWEVER AT 2K THEY ARE 180/30KTS AND 3K 195/55KTS. THIS WILL
CAUSE MAINLY LLVL SPEED SHEAR...WITH A SLIGHT DIRECTIONAL
COMPONENT. WINDS WILL ONCE AGAIN GUST DURING THE DAY (10-20MPH)
FROM THE SOUTH DURING THE DAY...BUT NOT AS STRONG AS ON FRIDAY.
2ND...LINE OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS STRETCHING FROM BMI-POF-LIT
TO JUST N OF TXK WILL CONTINUE TO MOVE E. THE WRF NMM NCEP IS
HANDLING THE LINE OVER AR/MO THE BEST...WHICH BRINGS STEADY PRECIP
TO:
SDF 1330-1800Z
BWG 1230-1700Z
LEX 1530-2000Z
THE LINE WILL WEAKEN AS IT ENCOUNTERS MORE STABLE AIR OVER OHIO
VALLEY AND SUBSIDENCE FROM E COAST RIDGE. THE HEAVIEST RAIN AND
LOWEST CIGS WILL BE AT BWG AND SDF WITH MVFR CIGS AND VSBYS.
WE EXPECT SCT SHRA AND ISOL TSRA FROM MID AFTERNOON INTO THE MID
EVENING HOURS WITH AREAL COVERAGE SHOULD WILL BE MUCH LESS THAN
MORNING CONVECTION (ONLY 30-40%)
LLVL WIND SHEAR WILL ONCE AGAIN LIKELY RETURN TO CENTRAL KENTUCKY
SATURDAY EVENING.
MUCH STRONGER PERSISTENT CONVECTION WILL MOVE INTO ALL 3 TAF SITES
OVERNIGHT SAT NIGHT 9ESPECIALLY SDF AND BWG...WITH VERY HEAVY
RAINFALL...STRONG DOWNDRAFT WINDS IN TSRA (30-50 MPH)...AND A BUNCH
OF LIGHTNING. CIGS AND VSBYS WILL BE BORDER LINE IFR/MVFR WITH 100%
POPS OVERNIGHT.
&&
.LMK WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
KY...FLASH FLOOD WATCH FROM 8 AM EDT /7 AM CDT/ THIS MORNING THROUGH
MONDAY MORNING FOR KYZ023>043-045>049-053>057-061>067-
070>078-081-082.
IN...FLASH FLOOD WATCH FROM 8 AM EDT /7 AM CDT/ THIS MORNING THROUGH
MONDAY MORNING FOR INZ076>079-083-084-089>092.
&&
SHORT TERM........BJS
LONG TERM.........JDG
AVIATION..........JDGHAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LOUISVILLE KY 400 AM EDT SAT MAY 1 2010 INZ078-079-091-092-KYZ028>043-045>049-053>057-062>067-071>078-081- 082-020800- SCOTT IN-JEFFERSON IN-FLOYD IN-CLARK IN-HARDIN KY-BULLITT KY- JEFFERSON KY-OLDHAM KY-TRIMBLE KY-HENRY KY-SHELBY KY-FRANKLIN KY- SCOTT KY-HARRISON KY-SPENCER KY-ANDERSON KY-WOODFORD KY- FAYETTE KY-BOURBON KY-NICHOLAS KY-NELSON KY-WASHINGTON KY- MERCER KY-JESSAMINE KY-CLARK KY-LARUE KY-MARION KY-BOYLE KY- GARRARD KY-MADISON KY-EDMONSON KY-HART KY-GREEN KY-TAYLOR KY- CASEY KY-LINCOLN KY-WARREN KY-SIMPSON KY-ALLEN KY-BARREN KY- MONROE KY-METCALFE KY-ADAIR KY-RUSSELL KY-CUMBERLAND KY- CLINTON KY- 400 AM EDT SAT MAY 1 2010 /300 AM CDT SAT MAY 1 2010/ THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR PORTIONS OF SOUTH CENTRAL INDIANA AND CENTRAL KENTUCKY. .DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT. A LINE OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS WILL PRODUCE LOCALLY HEAVY RAIN...SOME LIGHTNING...AND 30 TO 50 MPH WINDS THIS MORNING. THE MAIN THREAT WILL BE WITH HEAVY RAIN OF 1 TO 2 INCHES ALONG WITH CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING. SCATTERED STORMS WILL REFIRE DURING THE AFTERNOON BRINGING MORE MODERATE TO LOCALLY HEAVY RAINFALL TO SMALLER COVERAGE AREAS. IF CLOUD COVER DECREASES...MORE INSTABILITY WILL ALLOW MORE AREAL COVERAGE OF STORMS AND ALSO ALLOW SOME OF THE STORMS TO BECOME SEVERE WITH DAMAGING WINDS THE MAIN THREAT. A MORE SIGNIFICANT PERIOD OF STORMY WEATHER IS EXPECTED TO DEVELOP SATURDAY NIGHT AFTER MIDNIGHT AS A COLD FRONT FINALLY PUSHES THROUGH THE REGION. STRONG TO SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS ARE LIKELY DURING THIS TIME PERIOD WITH DAMAGING WINDS...ISOLATED TORNADOES...AND VERY HEAVY RAINFALL. ANOTHER 2 TO 4 INCHES OF RAIN IS LIKELY OVERNIGHT WHICH COULD LEAD TO FLASH FLOODING. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...SUNDAY THROUGH FRIDAY. THE SEVERE WEATHER WILL CONTINUE THROUGH SUNDAY MORNING WITH MORE STRONG TO SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING DAMAGING WINDS...ISOLATED TORNADOES...AND VERY HEAVY RAINFALL. RAINFALL TOTALS THROUGH THE WEEKEND ARE EXPECTED TO TOTAL BETWEEN 3 AND 6 INCHES SOUTH OF THE OHIO RIVER....WITH THE HEAVIEST AMOUNTS NEAR LAKE CUMBERLAND. THIS EXCESSIVE RAINFALL WILL LIKELY RESULT IN FLOODING PROBLEMS...THEREFORE A FLASH FLOOD WATCH IS IN EFFECT. IF YOU LIVE IN A FLOOD PRONE AREA...STAY ABREAST OF THE LATEST FORECASTS THROUGH THE WEEKEND. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... SPOTTER ACTIVATION IS ANTICIPATED THIS WEEKEND. SPOTTERS AND EMERGENCY MANAGERS ARE ASKED TO REPORT INSTANCES OF HEAVY RAINFALL...FLASH FLOODING...AND SEVERE WEATHER TO THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN LOUISVILLE. INZ076-077-083-084-089-090-KYZ023>027-061-070-020800- ORANGE IN-WASHINGTON IN-DUBOIS IN-CRAWFORD IN-PERRY IN- HARRISON IN-HANCOCK KY-BRECKINRIDGE KY-MEADE KY-OHIO KY- GRAYSON KY-BUTLER KY-LOGAN KY- 400 AM EDT SAT MAY 1 2010 /300 AM CDT SAT MAY 1 2010/ THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR PORTIONS OF SOUTH CENTRAL INDIANA AND CENTRAL KENTUCKY. .DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT. A LINE OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS WILL PRODUCE LOCALLY HEAVY RAIN...FREQUENT LIGHTNING...40 TO 60 MPH WINDS AND ISOLATED TORNADOES THROUGH 8 AM. THE MAIN THREAT WILL BE WITH HEAVY RAIN OF 1 TO 2 INCHES ALONG WITH COPIOUS CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING. A TORNADO WATCH IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 AM EDT. SCATTERED STORMS WILL REFIRE DURING THE AFTERNOON BRINGING MORE MODERATE LOCALLY HEAVY RAINFALL TO SMALLER COVERAGE AREAS. IF CLOUD COVER DECREASES...MORE INSTABILITY WILL ALLOW MORE COVERAGE OF STORMS AND ALSO ALLOW SOME OF THE STORMS TO BECOME SEVERE WITH DAMAGING WINDS THE MAIN THREAT. A MORE SIGNIFICANT PERIOD OF STORMY WEATHER IS EXPECTED TO DEVELOP SATURDAY NIGHT AFTER MIDNIGHT AS A COLD FRONT FINALLY PUSHES THROUGH THE REGION. STRONG TO SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS ARE LIKELY DURING THIS TIME PERIOD WITH DAMAGING WINDS...ISOLATED TORNADOES...AND VERY HEAVY RAINFALL. ANOTHER 1 TO 2 INCHES OF RAIN IS LIKELY OVERNIGHT WHICH COULD LEAD TO FLASH FLOODING. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...SUNDAY THROUGH FRIDAY. THE SEVERE WEATHER WILL CONTINUE THROUGH SUNDAY MORNING WITH MORE STRONG TO SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING WITH DAMAGING WINDS...ISOLATED TORNADOES...AND VERY HEAVY RAINFALL. RAINFALL TOTALS THROUGH THE WEEKEND ARE EXPECTED TO TOTAL BETWEEN 2 AND 4 INCHES NORTH OF THE OHIO RIVER. THIS EXCESSIVE RAINFALL WILL LIKELY RESULT IN FLOODING PROBLEMS...THEREFORE A FLASH FLOOD WATCH IS IN EFFECT. IF YOU LIVE IN A FLOOD PRONE AREA...STAY ABREAST OF THE LATEST FORECASTS THROUGH THE WEEKEND. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... SPOTTER ACTIVATION IS ANTICIPATED THIS WEEKEND. SPOTTERS AND EMERGENCY MANAGERS ARE ASKED TO REPORT INSTANCES OF HEAVY RAINFALL...FLASH FLOODING...AND SEVERE WEATHER TO THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN LOUISVILLE. JDG
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LOUISVILLE KY 216 AM EDT SAT MAY 1 2010 INZ076-083-084-089-KYZ023-024-026-061-070-010815- ORANGE IN-DUBOIS IN-CRAWFORD IN-PERRY IN-HANCOCK KY- BRECKINRIDGE KY-OHIO KY-BUTLER KY-LOGAN KY- INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...PAOLI...JASPER...MARENGO...TELL CITY... HAWESVILLE...HARDINSBURG...BEAVER DAM...MORGANTOWN...RUSSELLVILLE 216 AM EDT SAT MAY 1 2010 /116 AM CDT SAT MAY 1 2010/ ...STRONG STORMS MOVING TOWARDS JASPER TO TELL CITY TO HARTFORD... AT 215 AM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR DETECTED A LINE OF STRONG STORMS NEAR OWENSBORO...AND MOVING NORTHEAST AT 50 MPH. THIS LINE OF STORMS WILL BE LOCATED FROM JASPER TO TELL CITY TO HARTFORD BY 415 AM. THIS LINE CONTAINS LARGE QUANTITIES OF CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING...HEAVY RAIN WITH RAINFALL RATES OF AROUND ONE INCH PER HOUR...AND STRONG GUSTY WINDS OF 30 TO 40 MPH...ARE EXPECTED WITH THIS LINE OF STORMS. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... FREQUENT LIGHTNING IS OCCURRING WITH THIS STORM. MOVE INDOORS IF POSSIBLE. STAY AWAY FROM WINDOWS AND DOORS...AND AVOID USING THE TELEPHONE UNLESS IT IS AN EMERGENCY. JDG
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LOUISVILLE KY
254 AM EDT SAT MAY 01 2010
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0241 AM HAIL IRELAND 38.42N 87.00W
05/01/2010 E0.88 INCH DUBOIS IN EMERGENCY MNGR
&&
EVENT NUMBER LMK1000229
JDGPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LOUISVILLE KY
306 AM EDT SAT MAY 01 2010
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0302 AM HAIL 1 W IRELAND 38.42N 87.02W
05/01/2010 M1.00 INCH DUBOIS IN EMERGENCY MNGR
&&
EVENT NUMBER LMK1000230
JDGPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LOUISVILLE KY
333 AM EDT SAT MAY 01 2010
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0320 AM TSTM WND DMG HOLLAND 38.25N 87.04W
05/01/2010 DUBOIS IN EMERGENCY MNGR
TREE DOWN ON HIGHWAY 161
&&
EVENT NUMBER LMK1000231
JDGPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LOUISVILLE KY
431 AM EDT SAT MAY 01 2010
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0417 AM HAIL SCOTTSBURG 38.69N 85.78W
05/01/2010 E0.88 INCH SCOTT IN TRAINED SPOTTER
HAIL LASTED FOR FIVE MINUTES.
&&
EVENT NUMBER LMK1000232
SCHOETTMERThe Louisville radar (KLVX), 19 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 09:16 UTC.
44 flash flood, 29 flood, 4 lightning, 3 thunderstorm wind, 3 heavy rain, 2 hail, 1 tornado. Local standard time, as filed.
A lightning strike caused limbs to fly. Some of the limbs broke windows in homes along Rogers St. off West Pages Ln.
Multiple power outages due to lightning were reported in Jefferson County.
Multiple power outages were reported in the area due to lightning.
Multiple power outages were reported in the area due to lightning.
Heavy rains caused flash flood on Snake Creek Road near Maple Grove Church Road. One person died when he reportedly got out of a vehicle that was overcome by flood waters and was swept away. M34VE.
Local law enforcement from the towns of Hartford, Beaver Dam, and Rockport in Ohio County reported quarter size hail.
The Rough River at Dundee crested at 28.7 feet around noon EST on May 3. Flood stage at Dundee is 25 feet. Moderate flooding occurs at this level, with the post office at Barretts Ferry flooded.
Water was flowing over the road at 10th and College St., Fairview Rd. and 31W, and from Mt. Victor Rd. to Lovers Ln.
Water was flowing over the road at Thames Valley Rd. and Veterans Memorial and at Robin Ave. and Jennings Dr.
Logan county dispatch reported flash flooding had caused problems along Main St. in Auburn.
Power lines were reported down due to strong winds.
Flash flooding led to the closure of New Grove Rd. and Chalybeate School Rd. near 31W in southern Edmonson County.
Larue county dispatch reported flash flooding affecting Highways 61 and 470 in southeastern Larue county near the towns of Buffalo and Mount Sherman.
Taylor County law enforcement reported six inches of water in a home and a driveway flooded by water. The resident was not able to leave due to the driveway being washed out.
Heavy rainfall caused water to flow over a bridge on St. Francis Highway near Raywick. Debris from the water also blocked the roadway.
Ohio county dispatch reported numerous road closures from Beaver Dam to Dundee.
The Green River at Woodbury crested at 49.5 feet around 2 PM EST on May 5. Flood stage at Woodbury is 33 feet. Major flooding occurs at this level. Woodbury was nearly cut off, and parts of the town were flooded. U.S. Highway 231 near the William Natcher Parkway was flooded and Morgantown High School was cut off.
Several barns and sheds received structural damage. A mobile home was also moved off its foundation. Several trees were also blown down.
The Green River at Rochester Ferry crested at 28.6 feet around 6 AM EST on May 7. Flood stage at Rochester is 17 feet. Moderate flooding occurs at this level, with water in basements of some homes in Rochester. Sections of Kentucky Highway 70 and Highway 1117 were closed by high water.
Three to six inches of rain across Scott county May 1-2 led to areal flooding in spots across the county on the 2nd.
Four to six inches of rain across Shelby county May 1-2 led to areal flooding in spots across the county on the 2nd.
Four to six inches of rain across Spencer county May 1-2 led to areal flooding in spots across the county on the 2nd.
Six to eight inches of rain across Spencer county May 1-2 led to areal flooding in spots across the county on the 2nd.
A couple of county roads were temporarily obstructed by debris and rocks from water flowing over the roads.
Six to seven inches of rain across Fayette county May 1-2 led to areal flooding in spots across the county on the 2nd.
Six to eight inches of rain across Clark county May 1-2 led to areal flooding in spots across the county on the 2nd.
Water was covering both of the eastbound lanes of the Bluegrass Parkway between mile markers 5 and 8.
Kentucky 335 between the 2 and 3 mile markers was closed due to high water.
Water was rapidly rising near KY 44 and Knob Creek Rd. The public reported that water was covering Highway 44.
A NWS storm survey confirmed that a tornado touched down around 835 am CDT 4.3 miles west of Tompkinsville. A tobacco barn and several trees were damaged. The tornado then traveled east around 5.7 miles and lifted 1.4 miles east of Tompkinsville after damaging several trees. The tornado was rated EF-0 with estimated winds of 80 to 85 mph.
A long time resident noted that water in the fiels was the highest he had seen in decades. The observer measured 5.7 inches in storm total precipitation since early May 1st.
There were numerous reports of flooded and closed roads countywide. Five homes were evacuated due to rising water in a subdivision of Perryville.
Dallam Creek Bridge Rd. was closed between mile markers 4 and 6.
Segal Rd. was closed between mile marker 4 and 5.
Deerlick Rd. was closed between mile markers 4 and 5. Cooperstown-Quality Rd. was closed due to high water. Beechland and Gordonsville roads were closed due to high water.
Springfield Rd. was closed between mile markers 4 and 6.
Jackson Bridge Rd. was closed between mile marker 3 and 4.
A CoCoRaHS observer reported 5.23 inches of rain during the previous 24 hours.
Six inches of water was flowing over Frog Branch Rd. near Hustonville resulting in a road closure. Flooding was also occurring in Stanford at the intersection of State Roads 27 and 78.
Numerous roads across the county were closed due to flash flooding. A total of eight to ten inches of rain fell across Adair county from May 1-2.
The public reported water covering streets and bridges.
Kentucky 90 was closed due to high water.
Kentucky 61 was closed from mile marker 1 to 2 due to high water. KY 487 was also closed at the 1 mile marker due to flooding.
Numerous roads across the county were closed due to flash flooding. A total of eight to ten inches of rain fell across Russell county from May 1-2.
Multiple roads across the county were closed due to flash flooding. A total of three to four inches of rain fell across Trimble county from May 1-2.
One lane of KY 245 was blocked due to high water near Bernheim Forest.
The public reported flooding in Waynesburg with water entering buildings.
The Green River at Brownsville crested at 37.5 feet around 645 AM EST on May 5. Flood stage at Brownsville is 18 feet. Moderate flooding occurs at this level, with homes in the bottom land flooded.
Numerous roads across the county were closed due to flash flooding. A total of seven to ten inches of rain fell across Clinton county from May 1-2.
Numerous roads across the county were closed due to flash flooding, and Dunham Lake dam on the north side of Edmonton was in danger of failing when water surging over the spillway eroded up to 7 feet of earth away from both sides of the concrete spillway. The rushing water also washed away the shoulder of a roadway immediately downstream of the dam. A total of eight to ten inches of rain fell across Metcalfe county from May 1-2.
Numerous roads across the county were closed due to flash flooding. A total of five to eight inches of rain fell across Cumberland county from May 1-2.
Numerous roads across the county were closed due to flash flooding. A total of six to ten inches of rain fell across Monroe county from May 1-2.
The Licking River at Blue Licks Spring crested around 41.0 feet at 945 AM EST on May 5. Flood stage at Blue Licks Spring is 25 feet. Minor flooding occurs at this level, but the moderate level is at 42 feet, where water begins to enter the observer's house. At 30 feet, there is some flooding of crop land.
The fire department responded to flooded homes and mobile homes where people were trapped due to rising water. Evacuations also took place.
Heavy rains continued to send flash flood waters over many roads in the county. A 72-year old male sustained a broken arm when flood waters washed his pickup off of KY Highway 482 near a bridge on Pleasant Ridge Church Road by the raging flood waters of Drakes Creek. A daring ladder truck rescue of the man from his truck - which was wedged into a fence by the flood waters - was captured on film by the editor of the local newspaper.
A water rescue was in progress at the time of the call with a car trapped on Lincoln Ave. The rescue was successful.
Stoner Creek at Paris crested around 26.2 feet at noon EST on May 3. Flood stage at Paris is 18 feet. Major flooding occurs at this level, with water entering homes and businesses.
Two feet of water was covering US 127 at KY 906 in Casey County.
Flash flooding caused flooding on portions of Dover Church Road. One fatality occurred when a person reportedly got out of her vehicle, was overcome by flood waters and was swept away. F27VE.
A woman and her child were swept away by flood waters. They were successfully rescued by law enforcement.
There were several houses with water in the basement. Bethel Christian Church had 6 feet of water inside.
Multiple roads were closed countywide due to flood waters, including KY 333 between mile markers 15 and 16, KY 690 between the 16 and 17 mile markers, and KY 2199 between the 1 and 2 mile markers.
Multiple roads were closed due to high water in Grayson County including KY 878 between mile markers 2 and 3, US 62 between the 7 and 8 mile markers, and portions of KY 224.
Kentucky 261 at mile marker 1 was closed due to high water.
A tree was blown down and it was blocking Fountain Run Rd.
A swift water rescue occurred on Highway 70 east of Campbellsville. Two people were successfully rescued from their vehicle.
National Turnpike at the Gene Snyder Freeway was closed due to standing water. National Turnpike was also closed at Outer Loop.
The Green River at Munfordville crested at 51.9 feet around 5 AM EST on May 4. Flood stage at Munfordville is 28 feet. Moderate flooding occurs at this level, with the city park below the U.S. 31W bridge flooded, and most agricultural bottom land flooded.
Kentucky 70 at KY 1649 near Liberty was closed with 6 inches of water covering the intersection.
The Barren River at Bowling Green crested at 43.7 feet around 315 PM EST on May 3. Flood stage at Bowling Green is 28 feet. Moderate flooding occurs at this level, which is about 1.3 feet below the major flood stage. Several homes were flooded, the Beech Bend Racetrack was flooded, as were the approaches to the Kentucky 185 bridge.
A trained spotter reported a total of 8 inches of rain measures since early May 1.
The Rolling Fork River at Boston crested around 50.7 feet at 730 PM EST on May 4. Flood stage at Boston is 35 feet. Major flooding occurs at this level, with water in businesses and homes in Boston and New Haven.
At the time of the call a swift water rescues were taking place on Tates Creek Rd. in Richmond and at Simpson Ln. west of Ford.
The Kentucky River at Ford Lock crested at 32.3 feet around 1015 AM EST on May 3. Flood stage at Ford is 26 feet. At this level, some offices at the Fort Boonesborough State Park are flooded, and some homes along Kentucky Highway 388 are threatened by flood waters.
At the time of the call a swift water rescue was taking place on Concord Rd.
Multiple roads were closed throughout Casey county. Several residences were flooded and several motorists were stranded. Highways 127, 70, and 501 were all impassable in spots.
The heavy rains over the previous 24 hours caused the creek flowing by a home to flood the house. One person died in the home when they began shaking and collapsed in the water. The cause of death was found to be drowning and electrocution due to submersion. M65PH.
Six to seven inches of rain fell over Mercer county from May 1-2. This caused major flooding on the Kentucky River that lasted many days before receding.
Six to seven inches of rain fell over Anderson county from May 1-2. This caused major flooding on the Kentucky River that lasted many days before receding.
Six to seven inches of rain fell over Mercer county from May 1-2. This caused major flooding on the Kentucky River that lasted many days before receding.
Six to eight inches of rain fell over Mercer county from May 1-2. This caused major flooding on the Kentucky River that lasted many days before receding.
The Kentucky River at High Bridge Lock crested around 42.6 feet at 1 PM EST on May 4. Flood stage at High Bridge is 30 feet. Major flooding occurs at this level, with a large section of Wilmore flooded.
Heavy rains caused flash flooding of the Hanging Fork River on KY 300 near Stanford. One person died when a van with multiple passengers was swept off the road into the river. The driver of the van exited the vehicle and climbed onto the roof. He then lost his grip and fell into the rushing water. M47VE.
The Kentucky River at Frankfort crested at 42.8 feet around 7 PM EST on May 4. Flood stage at Frankfort is 31 feet. Major flooding occurs at this level with basements of homes and businessed in downtown Frankfort flooded. The Bellepoint area was cut off by high water.
The South Fork Licking River at Cynthiana crested at 21.9 feet around 9 AM EST on May 4. Flood stage is 20 feet. This is just short of moderate flooding for Cynthiana. Large sections of the city park were flooded. Water begins to back up in streets in the west side of town. The river is at bankfull on the south side of town.
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, Allen | 2010-05-01 | 34 | Male | Vehicle/Towed Trailer | Direct |
| Flash Flood, Barren | 2010-05-02 | 27 | Female | Vehicle/Towed Trailer | Direct |
| Flash Flood, Madison | 2010-05-02 | 65 | Male | Permanent Home | Direct |
| Flash Flood, Lincoln | 2010-05-02 | 47 | Male | Vehicle/Towed Trailer | Direct |
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Kentucky in 2010Every state in 2010This day in weather historyThe tornado archive for Kentucky, 2010Warnings in Kentucky, May 2010
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: 236447, 237274, 237275, 237276, 237147, 236449, 234719, 236451, 236116, 236118, 236121, 237277, 236122, 236124, 236125, 236139, 236141, 234748, 237278, 234749, 237246, 237248, 237251, 237254, 236143, 237242, 237245, 236199, 236205, 236210, 237297, 236453, 236214, 236424, 236426, 236432, 236433, 236434, 236455, 236444, and more.