Tornadoes and Flash Flood in Kentucky, April 19 to 20, 2011

Name: Tornadoes and Flash Flood in Kentucky, April 19 to 20, 2011
Start: 2011-04-19T21:54
End: 2011-04-20T01:42
Location: Kentucky

April 19 to 20, 2011 · NWS LMK · 66 events in 32 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: 0
Property damage: $35,000
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 66

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 LMK wrote it up.

Over the space of about four hours from late on April 19 into the early morning hours of April 20, 2011, a squall line brought a historic number of tornadoes to southern Indiana and central Kentucky. Storm surveys over the subsequent few days uncovered 25 tornadoes -the most ever recorded here in one outbreak. On the 19th, low pressure had organized over southeast Kansas with a stationary front reaching east into the central Appalachians. Plentiful moisture streamed northward from the Gulf of Mexico ahead of the system. The Kansas low moved along the front and swung a cold front eastward. Instability, strong upper level winds, and significant changes in wind speed and direction with height helped cause a large squall line to develop ahead of the low and its cold front. The squall line caused severe weather from the eastern Great Lakes to the Red River Valley. Over two dozen tornadoes spun up along the line as it crossed southern Indiana and central Kentucky. Despite the numerous twisters and the fact that they struck during the overnight hours, there were no fatalities or injuries.

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 Louisville, KY wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Apr 19, 9:38 PM CST, 16 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Apr 19, 9:38 PM CST, 16 minutes before

AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LOUISVILLE KY
1138 PM EDT TUE APR 19 2011

...MESOSCALE UPDATE...

...WIDESPREAD DAMAGING WIND EVENT UNFOLDING ACROSS SOUTHERN INDIANA
AND WEST-CENTRAL KENTUCKY...

WELL DEVELOPED QUASI-LINEAR CONVECTIVE SYSTEM CONTINUES TO MATURE
AND SURGE EASTWARD ACROSS SOUTHERN INDIANA AND WEST-CENTRAL
KENTUCKY.  THE LINE IS NOW ENTERING OUR NORTHWEST PORTION OF THE
SERVICE AREA.  REPORTS COMING OUT OF OWENSBORO INDICATE THAT 75-80
MPH WINDS ARE OCCURING WITH THIS LINE.  MULTIPLE WARNINGS ARE IN
EFFECT TO THE WEST OF INTERSTATE 65.

MESOSCALE ANALYSIS CONTINUE TO SHOW A VERY UNSTABLE AND MOIST
ATMOSPHERE ACROSS SOUTHERN INDIANA AND CENTRAL KENTUCKY.  OVERALL
ENVIRONMENT CONTINUES TO BE STRONGLY SUPPORTIVE OF WIDESPREAD
DAMAGING WINDS ALONG WITH MESOVORTICES WITHIN THE SQUALL LINE ITSELF.

BASED ON THE LATEST RADAR SCANS...THIS LINE WILL BE IMPACTING THE
LOUISVILLE METRO AREA BETWEEN WITHIN THE NEXT HOUR...MAINLY BETWEEN
MIDNIGHT AND 100 AM EDT.  WITH THIS LINE CONTINUING TO MAINTAIN ITS
STRENGTH...WIDESPREAD DAMAGING WINDS ARE EXPECTED TO IMPACT THE
LOUISVILLE METRO AREA AND SURROUNDING SUBURBS WITHIN THE NEXT 60
MINUTES.  WINDS OF 70 MPH OR MORE WILL LIKELY RESULT IN WIDESPREAD
TREES COMING DOWN ALONG WITH LARGE AREAS OF POWER OUTAGES.

.SHORT TERM (TONIGHT AND WEDNESDAY)...

...SEVERE WEATHER EPISODE LIKELY LATE THIS EVENING INTO THE
OVERNIGHT PERIOD. WIND DAMAGE...SOME OF IT POTENTIALLY
SIGNIFICANT...AND ISOLATED TORNADOES EXPECTED...

PARAMETERS STILL IN PLACE FOR A SEVERE WEATHER OUTBREAK OVER
S-CENTRAL IND AND CENTRAL KY TONIGHT. LOW CLOUDS TRAPPED UNDERNEATH
CAPPING INVERSION HAVE BEEN SLOW TO CLEAR THIS AFTERNOON...BUT ARE
STARTING TO ERODE. TEMPS NOW WARMING NICELY WITH READINGS NOW IN MID
70S TO MID 80S. WARM FRONT...RESPONSIBLE FOR TSTMS THIS MORNING OVER
PARTS OF SRN IND...HAS LIFTED JUST N OF AREA. AT THIS TIME...ANOTHER
AXIS OF ENHANCED CLOUDS WAS LOCATED OVER SRN IL INTO SW IND WHERE
SCT SHOWERS AND TSTMS COULD DEVELOP THIS AFTERNOON WITHIN AREA OF
SLOWLY ERODING CAPPING INVERSION ALOFT. 12Z NAM ACTUALLY RESOLVED
THIS FEATURE AND DEVELOPS SOME WARM-SECTOR CONVECTION LATE THIS
AFTERNOON AND EARLY EVENING. WILL CONTINUE TO INCLUDE A CHANCE OF
TSTMS OVER S-CENTRAL IND AND N-CENTRAL KY THROUGH EARLY EVENING TO
ACCOUNT FOR THIS FEATURE.

SPC HAS JUST ISSUED THE FIRST TORNADO WATCH FOR PARTS OF CENTRAL IL
TO SRN/SW MO...THE AREA WHERE THE SEVERE WEATHER OUTBREAK WILL
BEGIN. IN THIS AREA...INSTABILITY...INCREASING LOW-LEVEL SHEAR...AND
INCREASING FORCING ALONG THE COLD FRONT WILL ALLOW TSTMS TO EXPAND
RAPIDLY AS THE CAP IS BROKEN. CELLULAR-BASED CONVECTION (I.E.
SUPERCELLS) IS LIKELY IN THIS AREA. THIS AREA WILL CONGEAL INTO A
LINEAR MODE OF CONVECTION (I.E., SQUALL LINE) WITH BOWING SEGMENTS
INCREASING IN NUMBER WITH TIME AS THE LINE MOVES E INTO THE LOWER OH
VALLEY THIS EVENING. THE MODELS ARE USUALLY SLOW IN THE TIMING OF
THE LINE AS THE COLD POOL ASSOCIATED WITH RAIN WITH THE STORMS HELPS
TO ACCELERATE THE LINE FASTER THAN WOULD BE EXPECTED GIVEN AMBIENT
WIND FIELDS. AS A RESULT...EXPECT LINE TO REACH OUR FAR NW COUNTY
(DUBOIS) IN IND BY ABOUT 10 PM EDT...LOUISVILLE TO BOWLING GREEN
AXIS ABOUT 11 PM OR MIDNIGHT...FRANKFORT ABOUT 12-2 AM AND LEXINGTON
AROUND 2-3 AM EDT.

ALTHOUGH CONVECTION WILL FORM ALONG AND JUST E OF THE FRONT IN MO
THIS AFTERNOON...AFTER THE STORMS BECOME AN ORGANIZED LINE...THE
LINE WILL RACE AHEAD OF THE COLD FRONT. MODELS HINT THAT A SECONDARY
LINE OF AT LEAST SCT TSTMS COULD FORM ALONG THE ACTUAL FRONT A
COUPLE/FEW HOURS AFTER THE INITIAL LINE. HOWEVER...THE INITIAL LINE
WILL BE THE MAIN ONE TO BE CONCERNED ABOUT FOR SEVERE WEATHER...
DESPITE THE TIME OF DAY (I.E. LATE EVENING/OVERNIGHT).

AS FAR AS SEVERE POTENTIAL...TYPICALLY LINES OF STORMS DO NOT
PRODUCE WIND DAMAGE ALONG THEIR ENTIRE LENGTH...ALTHOUGH GUSTY WINDS
DO OCCUR ALONG MOST OF IT. THIS IS LIKELY TO BE THE CASE AGAIN
TONIGHT. NEVERTHELESS...ORGANIZED BOW ECHOES ARE LIKELY TO OCCUR
TONIGHT AND IN THIS CASE HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO PRODUCE SIGNIFICANT
WIND DAMAGE (70-80 MPH WINDS) ALONG WITH ISOLATED/WIDELY SCATTERED
TORNADOES. ANY TORNADOES WHICH FORM WILL LIKELY BE SHORT IN DURATION
BUT COULD FORM QUICKLY AND DO DAMAGE. SOME CELLS MAY ALSO PRODUCE
LARGE HAIL...BUT HAIL WILL BE A SECONDARY CONCERN TO THE WIND DAMAGE
AND TORNADO POTENTIAL. ALSO...RAINFALL RATES WILL BE HIGH...BUT
INTENSE RAINFALL WILL BE BRIEF SO NOT EXPECTING A WIDESPREAD FLOOD/
FLASH FLOOD EVENT AT THIS TIME...ALTHOUGH ISOLATED PROBLEMS MAY
OCCUR.

SINCE THE STORMS WILL BE OCCURRING LATE THIS EVENING INTO THE
OVERNIGHT PERIOD...A MORE ATYPICAL TIME OF OCCURRENCE FOR US...AND
SINCE PEOPLE MAY BE SLEEPING...PEOPLE ARE ENCOURAGED TO HAVE A
DEFINITE PLAN OF ACTION AND KNOW WHAT TO DO WHEN WARNINGS ARE ISSUED
OR WEATHER CONDITIONS DETERIORATE RAPIDLY. THE SEVERE POTENTIAL WILL
NOT LAST LONG AT ANY ONE LOCATION SINCE STORMS WILL BE RACING EWD.

AFTER THE COLD FRONT MOVES THROUGH WED MORNING...MODELS SHOW
LOW-LEVEL CLOUDS HANGING IN DURING THE MORNING BEFORE CLEARING
STARTS TO RETURN BY AFTERNOON AS SURFACE HIGH PRESSURE BUILDS IN.
IN OTHER WORDS...IT WILL BE A MUCH CALMER DAY AFTER A POTENTIALLY
BUSY AND STORMY NIGHT.

.LONG TERM (WEDNESDAY NIGHT - TUESDAY)...

DIDN/T SPEND AS MUCH TIME ON THE LONG TERM TODAY DUE TO SIGNIFICANT
CONCERNS IN THE SHORT TERM...BUT WAS ABLE TO GIVE IT A QUICK LOOK.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT INTO THURSDAY STILL LOOK PRIMARILY DRY. CAN/T
COMPLETELY RULE OUT A STRAY POP-UP THUNDERSTORM THURSDAY AFTERNOON
IN THE SOUTH SO WILL HOLD ON TO TINY POPS THEN.

THUNDERSTORM COVERAGE STILL EXPECTED TO INCREASE THURSDAY NIGHT AS
LOW PRESSURE MOVES ALONG THE KANSAS/OKLAHOMA BORDER AND A WARM FRONT
SHARPENS FROM THE LOW TO THE CENTRAL APPALACHIANS. THUNDERSTORMS
WILL CONTINUE THROUGH FRIDAY IN A MOIST UNSTABLE ATMOSPHERE WITH
THE WARM FRONT NEARBY. WE MAY GET A BRIEF BREAK FRIDAY EVENING AS
THE WARM FRONT LIFTS TO THE NORTH. THUNDERSTORMS WILL THEN RETURN
LATE FRIDAY NIGHT INTO SATURDAY MORNING AS LOW PRESSURE MOVES BY TO
OUR NORTHWEST AND SWINGS A COLD FRONT INTO THE REGION. MODELS
CONTINUE TO GROW MORE SHEEPISH ABOUT THE CHANCES OF SEVERE WEATHER
WITH THIS SYSTEM.  A COUPLE OF DAYS AGO SEVERE WEATHER LOOKED LIKE A
GOOD BET...BUT NOW THERE IS MORE UNCERTAINTY.

THE FUTURE OF THIS SYSTEM IS IN QUESTION AS WELL. THE GFS STILL
WANTS TO STALL IT OUT ROUGHLY ALONG THE OHIO RIVER KEEPING US WET.
THE ECMWF STILL WANTS TO LIFT IT BACK NORTH OUT OF THE REGION
KEEPING US DRY. THE GFS SOLUTION DOES HAVE SOME WEAK SUPPORT FROM
THE GEM ENSEMBLE MEAN AND GFS ENSEMBLE MEAN. THE ECMWF HAS TRENDED
JUST A BIT CLOSER TO THE GFS AND WE ARE CURRENTLY IN A WET PATTERN.
THUS...WILL HOLD ON TO THE SMALL POPS WE ALREADY HAD GOING THROUGH
SUNDAY NIGHT.

MONDAY-MONDAY NIGHT STAND A DECENT CHANCE AT BEING RELATIVELY
DRY...THEN A COLD FRONTAL PASSAGE IS ON TAP FOR TUESDAY.

&&

.AVIATION (00Z TAF ISSUANCE)...

A SQUALL LINE OF STRONG TO SEVERE TSTMS EXPECTED TO MOVE THRU ALL
TAF SITES LATE THIS EVENING/EARLY WED MORNING...RESULTING IN ABOUT A
2-HR WINDOW OF LIFR TO IFR VSBY AND MVFR CIGS AS WELL AS WIND GUSTS
0F 40-50KTS. CDFNT WILL FOLLOW LINE AND MOVE THRU ALL TAF SITES BY
13Z.

AFTERWARD...MVFR CIGS AND WEST WINDS WILL PREVAIL WITH CLEARING BY
MIDDAY/EARLY AFTERNOON.

&&

.LMK WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
KY...NONE.
IN...NONE.
&&

MESOSCALE......MJ
SHORT TERM.....TWF
LONG TERM......13
AVIATION.......DK/11

Hazardous weather outlook, Apr 19, 3:35 PM CST, 6 hours 19 minutes before

HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LOUISVILLE KY
535 PM EDT TUE APR 19 2011

INZ076>079-083-084-089>092-KYZ023>043-045>049-053>057-061>067-
070>078-081-082-200830-
ORANGE IN-WASHINGTON IN-SCOTT IN-JEFFERSON IN-DUBOIS IN-
CRAWFORD IN-PERRY IN-HARRISON IN-FLOYD IN-CLARK IN-HANCOCK KY-
BRECKINRIDGE KY-MEADE KY-OHIO KY-GRAYSON KY-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-BUTLER KY-EDMONSON KY-HART KY-GREEN KY-
TAYLOR KY-CASEY KY-LINCOLN KY-LOGAN KY-WARREN KY-SIMPSON KY-
ALLEN KY-BARREN KY-MONROE KY-METCALFE KY-ADAIR KY-RUSSELL KY-
CUMBERLAND KY-CLINTON KY-
535 PM EDT TUE APR 19 2011 /435 PM CDT TUE APR 19 2011/

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR PORTIONS OF SOUTH CENTRAL
INDIANA AND CENTRAL KENTUCKY.

.DAY ONE...TONIGHT.

SEVERE WEATHER OUTBREAK EXPECTED LATE THIS EVENING AND OVERNIGHT
OVER SOUTH CENTRAL INDIANA AND CENTRAL KENTUCKY.

A COLD FRONT WILL APPROACH THE REGION LATE TONIGHT. THUNDERSTORMS
WILL MOVE INTO THE WESTERN PORTIONS OF THE AREA AROUND 10 PM EDT
TONIGHT. THE STORMS WILL RACE EASTWARD BETWEEN 10 PM AND 4 AM
ACROSS THE FORECAST AREA. THE STORMS WILL BE CAPABLE OF PRODUCING
DAMAGING WINDS OVER 60 MPH...WITH ISOLATED DESTRUCTIVE WINDS OF 70
TO 80 MPH. ISOLATED TORNADOES ARE ALSO EXPECTED...ALONG WITH SOME
HAIL. HEAVY RAINFALL WITH TOTALS OF 1 TO 1.5 INCHES WITH LOCALLY
HIGHER AMOUNTS...IS ALSO LIKELY.

SINCE THESE SEVERE AND POTENTIALLY FLASH FLOOD PRODUCING STORMS ARE
EXPECTED TO AFFECT THE OUTLOOK AREA AT NIGHT...WE HIGHLY ENCOURAGE
YOU TO SET YOUR NOAA WEATHER RADIO TO ALERT MODE SO THAT YOU CAN BE
AWAKENED IN THE EVENT THAT A WARNING IS ISSUED WHILE YOU ARE ASLEEP.
MANY SEVERE WEATHER AS WELL AS FLASH FLOOD FATALITIES OCCUR LATE AT
NIGHT.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...WEDNESDAY THROUGH MONDAY.

A FEW LINGERING THUNDERSTORMS WILL BE POSSIBLE IN THE BLUEGRASS
AND LAKE CUMBERLAND REGIONS EARLY WEDNESDAY MORNING BUT WILL MOVE
QUICKLY OFF TO THE EAST.

SCATTERED STORMS WILL RETURN TO THE AREA THURSDAY NIGHT AND
FRIDAY AHEAD OF THE NEXT SYSTEM...WHICH MAY BRING A ROUND OF
STRONG STORMS MAINLY FROM FRIDAY NIGHT INTO SATURDAY. THIS SYSTEM
HAS LOST SOME OF ITS POTENCY IN RECENT FORECASTS...STAY TUNED TO
SEE HOW THIS NEXT SYSTEM SHAPES UP.

SCATTERED THUNDERSTORMS WILL CONTINUE TO BE POSSIBLE THROUGH THE
REST OF THE WEEKEND AND INTO EARLY NEXT WEEK.

HEAVY RAINS FROM THE STORMS ARE EXPECTED TO CAUSE RISING WATER
LEVELS ON AREA RIVERS...INCLUDING THE OHIO...AND MAY RESULT IN
FLASH FLOODS AND AREAL FLOODING AS WELL.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SPOTTER ACTIVATION IS REQUESTED FOR TONIGHT AND MAY BE NEEDED LATE
IN THE WEEK THROUGH THE WEEKEND.

KIRKPATRICK

In the hours before

Local storm report, Apr 19, 9:36 PM CST, 18 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LOUISVILLE KY
1136 PM EDT TUE APR 19 2011

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

1135 PM     TSTM WND DMG     JASPER                  38.39N  86.94W
04/19/2011                   DUBOIS             IN   LAW ENFORCEMENT

            OVERTURNED MOBILE HOMES REPORTED IN THE CITY OF JASPER.

&&

EVENT NUMBER LMK1100402

SZAPPANOS

Local storm report, Apr 19, 9:42 PM CST, 12 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LOUISVILLE KY
1142 PM EDT TUE APR 19 2011

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

1138 PM     TSTM WND GST     TASWELL                 38.33N  86.57W
04/19/2011  M65 MPH          CRAWFORD           IN   TRAINED SPOTTER

&&

EVENT NUMBER LMK1100403

SZAPPANOS

Local storm report, Apr 19, 9:44 PM CST, 10 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LOUISVILLE KY
1144 PM EDT TUE APR 19 2011

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

1143 PM     TSTM WND DMG     3 NW TELL CITY          37.98N  86.80W
04/19/2011                   PERRY              IN   LAW ENFORCEMENT

            TREES REPORTED DOWN.

&&

EVENT NUMBER LMK1100404

SZAPPANOS

Local storm report, Apr 19, 9:51 PM CST, 3 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LOUISVILLE KY
1151 PM EDT TUE APR 19 2011

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

1150 PM     TSTM WND GST     PAOLI                   38.56N  86.47W
04/19/2011  M60 MPH          ORANGE             IN   TRAINED SPOTTER

&&

EVENT NUMBER LMK1100405

SZAPPANOS

Local storm report, Apr 19, 9:52 PM CST, 2 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT...SUMMARY
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LOUISVILLE KY
1152 PM EDT TUE APR 19 2011

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

1125 PM     TSTM WND GST     JASPER                  38.39N  86.94W
04/19/2011  M67 MPH          DUBOIS             IN   MESONET

            MEASURED AT JASPER MIDDLE SCHOOL

1134 PM     TSTM WND DMG     JASPER                  38.39N  86.94W
04/19/2011                   DUBOIS             IN   LAW ENFORCEMENT

            NUMEROUS TREES AND POWER LINES DOWN ACROSS THE CITY.

1135 PM     TSTM WND DMG     JASPER                  38.39N  86.94W
04/19/2011                   DUBOIS             IN   LAW ENFORCEMENT

            OVERTURNED MOBILE HOMES REPORTED IN THE CITY OF JASPER.

1138 PM     TSTM WND GST     TASWELL                 38.33N  86.57W
04/19/2011  M65 MPH          CRAWFORD           IN   TRAINED SPOTTER

1143 PM     TSTM WND DMG     3 NW TELL CITY          37.98N  86.80W
04/19/2011                   PERRY              IN   LAW ENFORCEMENT

            TREES REPORTED DOWN.

1150 PM     TSTM WND GST     PAOLI                   38.56N  86.47W
04/19/2011  M60 MPH          ORANGE             IN   TRAINED SPOTTER

1151 PM     TSTM WND GST     ENGLISH                 38.33N  86.46W
04/19/2011  M65 MPH          CRAWFORD           IN   TRAINED SPOTTER

&&

EVENT NUMBER LMK1100400 LMK1100401 LMK1100402 LMK1100403 LMK1100404
LMK1100405 LMK1100406

SZAPPANOS

Local storm report, Apr 19, 9:53 PM CST, 1 minute before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LOUISVILLE KY
1153 PM EDT TUE APR 19 2011

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

1149 PM     TSTM WND DMG     TELL CITY               37.95N  86.76W
04/19/2011                   PERRY              IN   LAW ENFORCEMENT

            TREES AND POWER LINES DOWN ACROSS THE CITY.

&&

EVENT NUMBER LMK1100407

SZAPPANOS

The radar

The Louisville radar (KLVX), 43 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 03:54 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

50 thunderstorm wind, 9 hail, 6 tornado, 1 flash flood. Local standard time, as filed.

Tornado, Breckinridge

When: April 19, 9:54 PM CST to 9:58 PM CST
Where: Breckinridge County, 0.8 mi NNE of Mystic to 1.61 mi NNE of Raymond
Rating: EF0
Path length: 4.74 mi
Path width: 50 yd
Continued into: Meade, Ky (LMK)
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 37.911, -86.427

Tornado, Meade

When: April 19, 10:58 PM EST to 11:04 PM EST
Where: Meade County, 2.81 mi SW of Payneville to 2.3 mi NE of Sirocco
Rating: EF0
Path length: 6.72 mi
Path width: 150 yd
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 37.950, -86.355

A NWS storm survey confirmed an EF-0 tornado with wind speeds estimated to be 65-80 mph touched down in Breckinridge county. The tornado lifted in several locations along the 11 mi. path, with the greatest width of 50 yards. The tornado continued into Meade county where it last lifted 4 miles west of Brandenburg. The worst damage with this tornado occurred at a house in an elevated location along Sirocco Road in Meade County. At that location a carport that was attached to the house blew across the field behind it. Trees were snapped or uprooted, a barn door was blown in, and shingles were blown off of the roof of another nearby house.

Thunderstorm Wind, Hancock

When: April 19, 10:03 PM CST
Where: Hancock County, Lewisport
Measured: 57 kt (66 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 37.930, -86.900

The Kentucky mesonet site in Hancock county measured a wind gust of 66 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind, Breckinridge

When: April 19, 10:07 PM CST
Where: Breckinridge County, Hardinsburg Arpt
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 37.780, -86.450

Trees were down west of Hardinsburg.

Thunderstorm Wind, Breckinridge

When: April 19, 10:12 PM CST
Where: Breckinridge County, Hardinsburg Arpt
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 37.780, -86.450

A trained spotter reported a measured gust of 60 mph as well as trees down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Ohio

When: April 19, 10:14 PM CST
Where: Ohio County, Deanefield
Measured: 51 kt (59 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 37.670, -86.820

A trained spotter reported a measured gust of 59 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind, Jefferson

When: April 19, 11:15 PM EST
Where: Jefferson County, 1.29 mi ESE of Harrods Creek
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: NWS Employee
Coordinates: 38.320, -85.610

A tree was blown down and siding blown off a house near the Fincastle area.

Thunderstorm Wind, Breckinridge

When: April 19, 10:17 PM CST
Where: Breckinridge County, 1.32 mi SSE of Webster
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 37.861, -86.324

Trees were blown down across highway 333.

Thunderstorm Wind, Meade

When: April 19, 11:17 PM EST
Where: Meade County, 0.54 mi W of Brandenburg
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 38.000, -86.180

Trees were blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Ohio

When: April 19, 10:21 PM CST
Where: Ohio County, Olaton
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 37.530, -86.700

Trees and power lines were down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Henry

When: April 19, 11:30 PM EST
Where: Henry County, New Castle
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 38.430, -85.170

Trees were blown down county-wide.

Thunderstorm Wind, Jefferson

When: April 19, 11:30 PM EST
Where: Jefferson County, 1.48 mi NNW of Audubon Park
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 38.220, -85.740

The city of Louisville reported numerous trees down throughout the metro area.

Thunderstorm Wind, Bullitt

When: April 19, 11:39 PM EST
Where: Bullitt County, 1.09 mi W of Brooks
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 38.070, -85.720

A trained spotter reported wind gusts to 60 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind, Grayson

When: April 19, 10:44 PM CST
Where: Grayson County, 0.55 mi E of Leitchfield
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 37.480, -86.290

Law enforcement reported a gust to 60 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind, Oldham

When: April 19, 11:46 PM EST
Where: Oldham County, 0.88 mi NW of Glenarm
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 38.360, -85.480

An NWS storm survey confirmed straight-line wind damage with winds estimated to be 60-70 mph. There was mainly tree damage with some power lines down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Bullitt

When: April 19, 11:49 PM EST
Where: Bullitt County, 0.54 mi E of Brooks
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 38.070, -85.690

Numerous trees were blown down.

Tornado, Oldham

When: April 19, 11:49 PM EST to 11:50 PM EST
Where: Oldham County, 1.88 mi WNW of La Grange to 1.72 mi NW of La Grange
Rating: EF1
Path length: 0.26 mi
Path width: 80 yd
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 38.413, -85.411

An NWS Storm Survey confirmed an EF-1 tornado with winds estimated to be 90 mph. The path length was approximately a quarter of a mile with a width of 80 yards. A barn was destroyed and large hardwood trees were snapped 30 feet off the ground. It later damaged the roof of a house and another barn.

Thunderstorm Wind, Oldham

When: April 19, 11:50 PM EST
Where: Oldham County, 0.69 mi N of La Grange
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 38.410, -85.380

An NWS storm survey confirmed straight line wind damage with winds estimated at 60-70 mph. There was mainly tree damage with some power lines down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Grayson

When: April 19, 10:51 PM CST
Where: Grayson County, 0.55 mi E of Leitchfield
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 37.480, -86.290

Trees were blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Hardin

When: April 19, 11:52 PM EST
Where: Hardin County, Elizabeth Town
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 37.700, -85.870

Trees and power lines were reported down.

Hail, Grayson

When: April 19, 11:03 PM CST
Where: Grayson County, 0.55 mi E of Leitchfield
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 37.480, -86.290

Thunderstorm Wind, Shelby

When: April 20, 12:04 AM EST
Where: Shelby County, Simpsonville
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 38.220, -85.350

The Shelby county emergency manager reported wind gusts to 60 mph.

Hail, Hardin

When: April 20, 12:04 AM EST
Where: Hardin County, Elizabeth Town
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 37.700, -85.870

Thunderstorm Wind, Jefferson

When: April 20, 12:05 AM EST
Where: Jefferson County, 0.54 mi E of Prospect
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 38.350, -85.610

Trees and power lines were reported down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Nelson

When: April 20, 12:06 AM EST
Where: Nelson County, 0.88 mi SE of Bardstown
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 37.810, -85.460

Trees were down in the city of Bardstown.

Thunderstorm Wind, Larue

When: April 20, 12:10 AM EST
Where: Larue County, 1.38 mi S of Jericho
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: NWS Employee
Coordinates: 37.500, -85.650

A newly constructed metal garage work building was destroyed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Simpson

When: April 19, 11:15 PM CST
Where: Simpson County, 1.31 mi ESE of Middleton
Measured: 87 kt (100 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 36.740, -86.700

An NWS storm survey found four damaged barns, as well as one destroyed barn. A lot of trees were blown down as well. Winds were estimated to be 95 to 100 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind, Logan

When: April 19, 11:15 PM CST
Where: Logan County, 1.66 mi E of Halls Store
Measured: 87 kt (100 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 36.770, -86.820

An NWS storm survey found both structural and tree damage. Winds were estimated to be 100 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind, Washington

When: April 20, 12:23 AM EST
Where: Washington County, 1.04 mi NNE of St Catherine
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 37.714, -85.242

A tree was down and blocking Hwy. 55.

Thunderstorm Wind, Franklin

When: April 20, 12:26 AM EST
Where: Franklin County, 0.42 mi NW of Frankft Cptl City Ar
Measured: 59 kt (68 mph) measured gust
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 38.184, -84.906

The ASOS at Capital City Airport in Frankfort measured a gust of 68 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind, Franklin

When: April 20, 12:27 AM EST
Where: Franklin County, 1.29 mi WSW of Frankfort
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 38.190, -84.870

Capital Ave. was closed by a downed tree.

Tornado, Franklin

When: April 20, 12:28 AM EST to 12:33 AM EST
Where: Franklin County, 0.64 mi NNE of Frankft Cptl City Ar to 1.16 mi SSE of Stedmantown
Rating: EF0
Path length: 4.81 mi
Path width: 30 yd
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 38.189, -84.897

An NWS Storm Survey confirmed an EF-0 tornado with estimated wind speeds of 70 mph. Several trees were damaged and shingles were knocked off of houses. The most intense damage was found near the Frankfort cemetery and the Frankfort capitol building.

Thunderstorm Wind, Oldham

When: April 20, 12:29 AM EST
Where: Oldham County, La Grange
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 38.400, -85.380

Trees and power lines were down in the city.

Thunderstorm Wind, Franklin

When: April 20, 12:29 AM EST
Where: Franklin County, 1.29 mi WSW of Frankfort
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 38.190, -84.870

Trees were down on roadways throughout the city. A sign was blown into a window at a business in the 800 block of Louisville Rd.

Thunderstorm Wind, Edmonson

When: April 19, 11:30 PM CST
Where: Edmonson County, 0.88 mi NE of Brownsville
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 37.190, -86.260

A trained spotter reported wind gusts to 60 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind, Edmonson

When: April 19, 11:30 PM CST
Where: Edmonson County, 0.88 mi NE of Brownsville
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 37.190, -86.260

A trained spotter reported wind gusts to 60 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind, Franklin

When: April 20, 12:30 AM EST
Where: Franklin County, 1.29 mi WSW of Frankfort
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 38.190, -84.870

Multiple trees were downed countywide. Power outages were reported both east and west of Frankfort.

Hail, Butler

When: April 19, 11:36 PM CST
Where: Butler County, Morgantown
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 37.220, -86.700

Thunderstorm Wind, Shelby

When: April 20, 12:39 AM EST
Where: Shelby County, Waddy
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 38.130, -85.070

Trees were blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Larue

When: April 20, 12:44 AM EST
Where: Larue County, Magnolia
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 37.450, -85.750

Trees were blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Scott

When: April 20, 12:48 AM EST
Where: Scott County, 0.74 mi N of Georgetown
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 38.211, -84.548

Trees were down on Paris Pike and on Newtown Pike near county fire number 4.

Tornado, Scott

When: April 20, 12:54 AM EST to 12:55 AM EST
Where: Scott County, 2.44 mi NNE of Newtown to 2.6 mi NE of Newtown
Rating: EF1
Path length: 0.51 mi
Path width: 50 yd
Property damage: $35,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 38.252, -84.450

An NWS storm survey confirmed an EF-1 tornado with winds up to 95 mph touched down in an open field northeast of Georgetown and moved quickly east, overturning a tied-down trailer and destroying or damaging several outbuildings. After passing over Leesburg Road, the tornado buckled the brick garage wall of a well built home and snapped several tres along a fence line before dissipating.

Thunderstorm Wind, Fayette

When: April 20, 1:04 AM EST
Where: Fayette County, 1.72 mi SSE of Lexington
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 38.028, -84.486

A tree was down at the intersection of McDowell and Fontaine Roads.

Thunderstorm Wind, Jessamine

When: April 20, 1:05 AM EST
Where: Jessamine County, 2.28 mi N of Nicholasville
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 37.903, -84.565

A light pole was blown down near the north junction of US 27 in Nicholasville. Trees were also blown down at Allen Dr.

Thunderstorm Wind, Harrison

When: April 20, 1:06 AM EST
Where: Harrison County, 1.08 mi W of Garnett
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 38.450, -84.340

Several trees were blown down just north of Breckinridge.

Thunderstorm Wind, Scott

When: April 20, 1:17 AM EST
Where: Scott County, Georgetown
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 38.200, -84.550

Four trees and a power line were blown down. A trampoline was blown into a roadway.

Thunderstorm Wind, Logan

When: April 20, 12:21 AM CST
Where: Logan County, 1.3 mi ESE of Jerico
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 36.990, -86.950

A tree was down on Hwy. 431.

Thunderstorm Wind, Simpson

When: April 20, 12:30 AM CST
Where: Simpson County, 0.69 mi N of Franklin
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 36.730, -86.570

Trees were snapped and downed.

Hail, Edmonson

When: April 20, 12:30 AM CST
Where: Edmonson County, 0.88 mi NE of Brownsville
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 37.190, -86.260

Tornado, Simpson

When: April 20, 12:30 AM CST to 12:33 AM CST
Where: Simpson County, 1.37 mi NW of Franklin Whak Arpt to 1.39 mi NNW of Franklin
Rating: EF1
Path length: 3.67 mi
Path width: 100 yd
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 36.736, -86.644

An NWS Storm Survey confirmed an EF-1 tornado with estimated wind speeds of 90-95 mph. When the tornado touched down it destroyed a barn and threw debris about a quarter mile. The tornado then damaged the roof of another barn and uprooted or snapped at least a hundred trees. The tornado lifted near the intersection of US 31W and Ogles Street.

Thunderstorm Wind, Warren

When: April 20, 12:35 AM CST
Where: Warren County, 0.88 mi SW of Bowling Green
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 36.970, -86.440

Trees were down- some on power lines. Power lines were also down and trees were blocking roads.

Hail, Warren

When: April 20, 12:35 AM CST
Where: Warren County, 1.49 mi SSW of Memphis Jct
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 36.930, -86.490

Up to quarter size hail was reported in the Memphis Junction area.

Thunderstorm Wind, Madison

When: April 20, 1:35 AM EST
Where: Madison County, Bybee
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue
Coordinates: 37.730, -84.120

The fire department reported a measured gust of 58 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind, Madison

When: April 20, 1:38 AM EST
Where: Madison County, 0.55 mi E of Middletown
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 37.580, -84.290

A tree was blown down in Berea. Power lines were also reported down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Bourbon

When: April 20, 1:39 AM EST
Where: Bourbon County, 0.88 mi SW of Paris
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 38.210, -84.260

A tree was down on Georgetown Rd.

Hail, Warren

When: April 20, 12:43 AM CST
Where: Warren County, Plano
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 36.880, -86.420

Hail, Warren

When: April 20, 12:45 AM CST
Where: Warren County, 0.88 mi SW of Bowling Green
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 36.970, -86.440

Thunderstorm Wind, Barren

When: April 20, 12:50 AM CST
Where: Barren County, 1.77 mi NW of Glasgow
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph) measured gust
Reported by: AWOS
Coordinates: 37.000, -85.920

The AWOS at Glasgow Municipal Airport, Moore Field, measured a wind gust of 69 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind, Barren

When: April 20, 12:50 AM CST
Where: Barren County, 1.77 mi NW of Glasgow
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 37.000, -85.920

Trees an power lines were down countywide. A tree was blocking Cherry St. in the town of Glasgow.

Thunderstorm Wind, Allen

When: April 20, 12:52 AM CST
Where: Allen County, 0.61 mi SE of Holland
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 36.693, -86.064

Trees were reported down across southern Allen county. A tree was blocking the road at the 800 block of Holland Rd. A tree also blocked the intersections of Walkers Chapel and Pleasant Ridge Roads, as well as Highland Church and Bandy Roads.

Thunderstorm Wind, Edmonson

When: April 20, 12:57 AM CST
Where: Edmonson County, 0.88 mi NE of Brownsville
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 37.190, -86.260

Trees were down on homes in the southern part of the county.

Hail, Green

When: April 20, 1:00 AM CST
Where: Green County, 0.69 mi N of Webbs Xrds
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 37.260, -85.600

Flash Flood, Ohio

When: April 20, 1:00 AM CST
Where: Ohio County, 0.61 mi SE of Hartford to 0.32 mi S of Hartford
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 37.444, -86.912

Roads were flooded and a few were impassable west of Beaver Dam.

Thunderstorm Wind, Metcalfe

When: April 20, 1:15 AM CST
Where: Metcalfe County, 1.1 mi W of Edmonton
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 36.980, -85.620

Trees were blown down.

Hail, Adair

When: April 20, 1:25 AM CST
Where: Adair County, 1.38 mi S of Milltown
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 37.100, -85.400

Quarter sized hail was reported in Milltown, just west of Columbia. Multiple trees were also down and power outages were reported in Columbia.

Thunderstorm Wind, Russell

When: April 20, 1:42 AM CST
Where: Russell County, Russell Spgs
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 37.050, -85.080

Trees were blown down.

What these are

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.
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.
Hail: Hail three-quarters of an inch or larger, or smaller hail that caused damage, filed with the largest stone measured.
Flash Flood: Flooding that begins within six hours of the rain that causes it, or of a dam or levee failure or ice jam release, often with deadly speed.

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

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Kentucky in 2011 Every state in 2011 This day in weather history The tornado archive for Kentucky, 2011 Warnings in Kentucky, April 2011

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: 304886, 304888, 304793, 304795, 304797, 304798, 304808, 304799, 304809, 304800, 304812, 304814, 304818, 304802, 304819, 304820, 304891, 304822, 304803, 304827, 304804, 304830, 304831, 304832, 304833, 304835, 304805, 304807, 304840, 304842, 304844, 304894, 304845, 304846, 304810, 304811, 304849, 304816, 304853, 304855, and more.