Tornadoes and Flood in Kentucky, March 2, 2012

Name: Tornadoes and Flood in Kentucky, March 2, 2012
Start: 2012-03-02T15:44
End: 2012-03-02T17:22
Location: Kentucky

March 2, 2012 · NWS ILN · 19 events in 9 counties and zones

Thunderstorms developed during the afternoon in a high wind shear environment ahead of a strengthening low pressure system. Many of these storms became severe, with large hail, damaging thunderstorm winds, and tornadoes all being the main threats.

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: 4
Injuries: 11
Property damage: $25 million
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 19

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 ILN wrote it up.

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 Wilmington, OH wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Mar 2, 3:27 PM EST, 17 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Mar 2, 3:27 PM EST, 17 minutes before

AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WILMINGTON OH
327 PM EST FRI MAR 2 2012

.SYNOPSIS...
RAPIDLY DEEPENING LOW PRESSURE WILL SWING NORTHEAST ACROSS THE
GREAT LAKES TONIGHT...PUSHING A STRONG COLD FRONT EAST THROUGH THE
OHIO VALLEY REGION THIS EVENING. WEAK HIGH PRESSURE WILL BUILD IN
THE WAKE OF THE WEATHER SYSTEM ON SATURDAY. DEVELOPING UPPER LEVEL
TROUGH WILL DIG INTO THE GREAT LAKES AND OHIO VALLEY SATURDAY
NIGHT AND SUNDAY.

&&

.NEAR TERM /UNTIL 6 AM SATURDAY MORNING/...
A PDS CAN BE EXPECTED ACRS THE REGION BETWEEN NOW AND 7/8 PM AS
PREFRONTAL TROF AHEAD OF A STRONG COLD FRONT PUSHES SHOWERS AND
THUNDERSTORMS ACRS THE AREA. SUPERCELLS WILL BE LIKELY ESPECIALLY
ALONG AND SOUTH OF THE OHIO RIVER WHERE HIGHER THETA E AREA WILL
BE REALIZED. DAMAGING WINDS...LARGE HAIL AND ISOLATED TORNADOES
WILL BE A BIG THREAT. ONCE COLD FRONT SWINGS BY AND DEEPENING SFC
LOW PUSHES INTO SRN LOWER MICHIGAN...SYNOPTIC SCALE WINDS WILL
INCREASE FROM THE SOUTHWEST/WEST. MOMENTUM TRANSFER TOOLS SUGGEST
WIND GUSTS AS HIGH AS 55 MPH ACRS OUR NORTH WITH 40 MPH TOWARD THE
OHIO RIVER. HAVE EXPANDED THE WIND ADVISORY TO INCLUDE MORE OF
EAST CENTRAL INDIANA...SOUTHWEST OHIO AND CENTRAL OHIO. FAR NORTH
WILL BE BORDERLINE HIGH WIND WARNING AND WILL MONITOR TRENDS FOR A
POSSIBLE UPGRADE IF SFC LOW DEEPENS MORE THAN EXPECTED. WARM
TEMPERATURES WILL PLUMMET OVERNIGHT IN STRONG CAA WITH OVERNIGHT
LOWS DROPPING INTO THE LOWER 30S WEST TO THE MID 30S EAST.

&&

.SHORT TERM /6 AM SATURDAY MORNING THROUGH SUNDAY NIGHT/...
REGION WILL BE A DRY SLOT AREA IN THE WAKE OF AFOREMENTIONED
STRONG WEATHER SYSTEM ON SATURDAY...WHICH RESULTS IN WEAK SFC
RIDGING. SKIES WILL BE PARTLY TO MOSTLY SUNNY EARLY ON...BUT
MOISTURE IN THE LOW LEVELS AND CAA WILL INCREASE STRATOCUMULUS/CUMULUS
CLOUDS FROM NW TO SE THROUGH THE DAY. TEMPERATURES WILL BE COLDER
ON SATURDAY WITH HIGHS RANGING FROM THE LOWER 40S NW TO THE UPPER
40S SE.

FOR SATURDAY NIGHT INTO SUNDAY NIGHT...A BROAD MID LVL TROF WILL
DIG SE INTO THE GREAT LAKES AND OHIO VALLEY REGION. EMBEDDED
PIECES OF ENERGY ROTATING THROUGH THIS TROF WILL BRING SOME SNOW
SHOWERS TO THE REGION. BEST CHANCE APPEARS ACRS NRN ZONES SUNDAY
INTO SUNDAY NIGHT AND SOUTH OF THE SRN ZONES ON SUNDAY NIGHT.
TEMPERATURES AGAIN WILL BE COLDER AND EVEN BELOW NORMAL FOR EARLY
MARCH. HIGHS ON SUNDAY WILL STRUGGLE INTO THE MID 30S NORTH TO
NEAR 40 SOUTH WITH OVERNIGHT LOWS SUNDAY NIGHT IN THE 20S.

&&

.LONG TERM /MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY/...
HIGH PRESSURE WILL BUILD ACROSS THE AREA AT THE BEGINNING OF THE
PERIOD. SOUTHERLY FLOW WILL QUICKLY BECOME ESTABLISHED ON TUESDAY
WITH TEMPERATURES RISING BACK ABOVE NORMAL. ALL GUIDANCE IS SHOWING
A COLD FRONT MOVING THROUGH THE AREA LATER IN THE WEEK. BUT THERE
ARE CONSIDERABLE DISCREPANCIES ON TIMING. 12Z GFS AND ITS ENSEMBLE
MEAN ARE QUITE A BIT QUICKER AND EVEN THE 12Z ECMWF HAS SPED UP
ALTHOUGH NOT TO THE EXTENT OF THE GFS SUITE. HAVE BROUGHT CHANCE
POPS THROUGH FROM WEDNESDAY NIGHT THROUGH THURSDAY EVENING. HIGH
PRESSURE WILL BUILD IN BEHIND THE FRONT ON FRIDAY.

&&

.AVIATION /20Z FRIDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/...
CONVECTION ALONG THE WRMFNT CONTINUES TO DEVELOP. THIS CONVECTION
WILL LIFT N AS THE WRMFNT DOES. THIS CONVECTION IS EXPECTED TO BE
SUB-SEVERE.

MODELS HAVE TRENDED TOWARDS CONVECTION DEVELOPING ALONG
CDFNT...WHICH WILL MOVE THRU THE TAFS BETWEEN 21-02Z. THIS LINE
COULD BE SEVERE. CURRENTLY HAVE WINDS GUSTING TO 30KT...BUT THEY
COULD BE HIGHER IN STRONGER THUNDERSTORMS.

THE COLD FRONT WILL SWEEP ACROSS THE AREA THIS EVENING. AS THIS
OCCURS...WINDS WILL SHIFT TO THE WEST AND INCREASE TO 15 TO 20
KT...GUSTING UP TO 35 KT. A WEAKENING PRESSURE GRADIENT WILL ALLOW
FOR WINDS TO SUBSIDE SOMEWHAT AFT 06Z.

SKIES WILL CLEAR OUT BEHIND CONVECTION. CAA SC WILL BEGIN TO WORK
TOWARDS THE FA SATURDAY MORNING....BUT CIGS ARE NOT EXPECTED
UNTIL AFTER 18Z AT CVG.

OUTLOOK...MVFR CIGS POSSIBLE SATURDAY NIGHT THROUGH SUNDAY NIGHT.

&&

.ILN WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
OH...WIND ADVISORY UNTIL 4 AM EST SATURDAY FOR OHZ026-034-035-
     042>046-051>056-060>065-070>074.
KY...NONE.
IN...WIND ADVISORY UNTIL 4 AM EST SATURDAY FOR INZ050-058-059-066.

&&

SYNOPSIS...HICKMAN
NEAR TERM...HICKMAN
SHORT TERM...HICKMAN
LONG TERM...
AVIATION...SITES

Hazardous weather outlook, Mar 2, 2:22 PM EST, 1 hour 22 minutes before

HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WILMINGTON OH
222 PM EST FRI MAR 2 2012

INZ050-058-059-066-OHZ026-034-035-042>046-051>056-060>065-070>074-
031930-
WAYNE-FAYETTE IN-UNION IN-FRANKLIN IN-HARDIN-MERCER-AUGLAIZE-DARKE-
SHELBY-LOGAN-UNION OH-DELAWARE-MIAMI-CHAMPAIGN-CLARK-MADISON-
FRANKLIN OH-LICKING-PREBLE-MONTGOMERY-GREENE-FAYETTE OH-PICKAWAY-
FAIRFIELD-BUTLER-WARREN-CLINTON-ROSS-HOCKING-
222 PM EST FRI MAR 2 2012

...WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 6 PM THIS EVENING TO 4 AM EST
SATURDAY...

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR EAST CENTRAL
INDIANA...SOUTHEAST INDIANA...CENTRAL OHIO...MIAMI VALLEY OF
OHIO...SOUTHWEST OHIO AND WEST CENTRAL OHIO.

.DAY ONE...THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT.

A STRENGTHENING LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM WILL MOVE OUT OF THE
MISSISSIPPI VALLEY AND INTO THE GREAT LAKES REGION THROUGH TONIGHT.
AS IT DOES...A STRONG COLD FRONT WILL PUSH EAST ACROSS THE OHIO
VALLEY REGION LATE THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING. FAVORABLE WIND
FIELDS WITHIN AN UNSTABLE AIRMASS AHEAD OF THE COLD FRONT WILL
RESULT IN ORGANIZED THUNDERSTORMS. SOME OF THE THUNDERSTORMS ARE
EXPECTED TO REACH SEVERE LIMITS WITH DAMAGING STRAIGHT LINE WINDS
BEING THE MAIN SEVERE WEATHER THREAT. HOWEVER...LARGE HAIL AND
ISOLATED TORNADOES WILL ALSO BE POSSIBLE. CONTINUE TO MONITOR
LATER FORECASTS ON THIS CHANGEABLE WEATHER SITUATION.

PLEASE LISTEN TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR GO TO WEATHER.GOV ON THE
INTERNET FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FOLLOWING HAZARDS.

   WIND ADVISORY.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...SATURDAY THROUGH THURSDAY.

NO HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SPOTTERS SHOULD ACTIVATE AND REPORT SIGNIFICANT WEATHER CONDITIONS.

INZ073>075-080-KYZ089>100-OHZ077>082-088-031930-
RIPLEY-DEARBORN-OHIO-SWITZERLAND-CARROLL-GALLATIN-BOONE-KENTON-
CAMPBELL-OWEN-GRANT-PENDLETON-BRACKEN-ROBERTSON-MASON-LEWIS-HAMILTON-
CLERMONT-BROWN-HIGHLAND-ADAMS-PIKE-SCIOTO-
222 PM EST FRI MAR 2 2012

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR SOUTHEAST INDIANA...NORTHEAST
KENTUCKY...NORTHERN KENTUCKY...SOUTH CENTRAL OHIO AND SOUTHWEST
OHIO.

.DAY ONE...THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT.

A STRENGTHENING LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM WILL MOVE OUT OF THE
MISSISSIPPI VALLEY AND INTO THE GREAT LAKES REGION THROUGH TONIGHT.
AS IT DOES...A STRONG COLD FRONT WILL PUSH EAST ACROSS THE OHIO
VALLEY REGION LATE THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING. FAVORABLE WIND
FIELDS WITHIN AN UNSTABLE AIRMASS AHEAD OF THE COLD FRONT WILL
RESULT IN ORGANIZED THUNDERSTORMS. SOME OF THE THUNDERSTORMS ARE
EXPECTED TO REACH SEVERE LIMITS WITH DAMAGING STRAIGHT LINE WINDS
BEING THE MAIN SEVERE WEATHER THREAT. HOWEVER...LARGE HAIL AND
ISOLATED TORNADOES WILL ALSO BE POSSIBLE. CONTINUE TO MONITOR
LATER FORECASTS ON THIS CHANGEABLE WEATHER SITUATION.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...SATURDAY THROUGH THURSDAY.

NO HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SPOTTERS SHOULD ACTIVATE AND REPORT SIGNIFICANT WEATHER CONDITIONS.

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Mar 2, 10:11 AM EST, 5 hours 33 minutes before

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WILMINGTON OH
1011 AM EST FRI MAR 2 2012

INZ073>075-080-KYZ089>091-094-095-021545-
SWITZERLAND IN-OHIO IN-DEARBORN IN-RIPLEY IN-OWEN KY-BOONE KY-
CARROLL KY-GALLATIN KY-GRANT KY-
1011 AM EST FRI MAR 2 2012

...A LINE OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL AFFECT NORTHERN GRANT...
GALLATIN...CARROLL...BOONE...NORTHERN OWEN...SOUTHERN RIPLEY...
DEARBORN...OHIO AND SWITZERLAND COUNTIES THROUGH 1045 AM EST...

AT 1009 AM EST...RADAR INDICATED STRONG THUNDERSTORMS ALONG A LINE
EXTENDING FROM GRATZ TO 10 MILES NORTHWEST OF CARROLLTON...MOVING
NORTHEAST AT 55 MPH.

THESE STORMS WILL PRODUCE ONE HALF INCH DIAMETER HAIL.

SOME LOCATIONS THAT MAY BE AFFECTED INCLUDE...CARROLLTON...OWENTON...
VEVAY...WARSAW...DILLSBORO...MOORES HILL...DRY RIDGE...RISING SUN...
CRITTENDEN...AURORA...LAWRENCEBURG AND HIDDEN VALLEY.

ALSO...PRESTONVILLE...ENGLISH...GENERAL BUTLER STATE PARK...
LANGSTAFF...WORTHVILLE...GRATZ...SQUIRESVILLE AND BRAYTOWN ARE NEAR
THE PATH OF THIS LINE OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS.

LAT...LON 3927 8482 3908 8483 3900 8461 3880 8462
      3867 8452 3844 8496 3851 8499 3851 8503
      3856 8501 3856 8507 3859 8509 3858 8521
      3873 8534 3874 8534 3874 8526 3870 8521
      3891 8521 3891 8544 3895 8545

HATZOS

Local storm report, Mar 2, 10:19 AM EST, 5 hours 25 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WILMINGTON OH
1019 AM EST FRI MAR 02 2012

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

1010 AM     HAIL             5 NE SIDNEY             40.34N 84.10W
03/02/2012  E0.25 INCH       SHELBY             OH   COCORAHS

&&

Special weather statement, Mar 2, 10:40 AM EST, 5 hours 4 minutes before

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WILMINGTON OH
1040 AM EST FRI MAR 2 2012

OHZ026-044>046-021615-
DELAWARE OH-HARDIN OH-LOGAN OH-UNION OH-
1040 AM EST FRI MAR 2 2012

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT NORTHERN UNION...NORTHEASTERN
LOGAN...SOUTHEASTERN HARDIN AND NORTHWESTERN DELAWARE COUNTIES
THROUGH 1115 AM EST...

AT 1038 AM EST...RADAR INDICATED A STRONG THUNDERSTORM NEAR
RIDGEWAY...MOVING EAST AT 55 MPH.

THIS STORM WILL PRODUCE ONE HALF INCH DIAMETER HAIL.

SOME LOCATIONS THAT MAY BE AFFECTED INCLUDE...RICHWOOD.

ALSO...MOUNT VICTORY...BYHALIA...PFEIFFER...SOMERSVILLE...HEPBURN AND
ESSEX ARE NEAR THE PATH OF THIS STRONG THUNDERSTORM.

LAT...LON 4055 8341 4051 8341 4051 8325 4050 8324
      4045 8324 4044 8309 4040 8309 4035 8373
      4066 8364 4068 8342

SNYDER

Special weather statement, Mar 2, 11:26 AM EST, 4 hours 18 minutes before

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WILMINGTON OH
1126 AM EST FRI MAR 2 2012

INZ073>075-080-KYZ091-021700-
SWITZERLAND IN-OHIO IN-DEARBORN IN-RIPLEY IN-BOONE KY-
1126 AM EST FRI MAR 2 2012

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT BOONE...SOUTHEASTERN RIPLEY...
SOUTHERN DEARBORN...OHIO AND SWITZERLAND COUNTIES THROUGH NOON EST...

AT 1124 AM EST...RADAR INDICATED A STRONG THUNDERSTORM 8 MILES SOUTH
OF REXVILLE...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 60 MPH.

THIS STORM WILL PRODUCE PENNY SIZE HAIL.

SOME LOCATIONS THAT MAY BE AFFECTED INCLUDE...DILLSBORO...RISING
SUN...AURORA AND LAWRENCEBURG.

ALSO...REXVILLE...MOOREFIELD...BENHAM...AVONBURG...CROSS PLAINS...
OLEAN...JACKSONVILLE AND FAIRVIEW ARE NEAR THE PATH OF THIS STRONG
THUNDERSTORM.

LAT...LON 3919 8493 3891 8472 3877 8521 3891 8521
      3891 8542

SNYDER

Special weather statement, Mar 2, 3:04 PM EST, 40 minutes before

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WILMINGTON OH
304 PM EST FRI MAR 2 2012

INZ058-059-066-073>075-080-KYZ089>100-OHZ070-077>079-081-022215-
FAYETTE IN-UNION IN-FRANKLIN IN-RIPLEY-DEARBORN-OHIO-SWITZERLAND-
CARROLL-GALLATIN-BOONE-KENTON-CAMPBELL-OWEN-GRANT-PENDLETON-
BRACKEN-ROBERTSON-MASON-LEWIS-BUTLER-HAMILTON-CLERMONT-BROWN-
ADAMS-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...CONNERSVILLE...LIBERTY...BROOKVILLE...
VERSAILLES...LAWRENCEBURG...RISING SUN...VEVAY...CARROLLTON...
WARSAW...BURLINGTON...INDEPENDENCE...ALEXANDRIA...OWENTON...
WILLIAMSTOWN...FALMOUTH...BROOKSVILLE...MOUNT OLIVET...
MAYSVILLE...VANCEBURG...HAMILTON...CINCINNATI...MILFORD...
GEORGETOWN...WEST UNION
304 PM EST FRI MAR 2 2012

...TORNADIC THUNDERSTORMS SPREADING TOWARD THE TRI-STATE...

A CLUSTER OF THUNDERSTORMS WITH A HISTORY OF TORNADOES AND LARGE
HAIL WILL SPREAD INTO THE TRI-STATE AREA OF NORTHERN
KENTUCKY...SOUTHEAST INDIANA...AND EXTREME SOUTHWEST AND SOUTH-
CENTRAL OHIO AFTER 330 PM.

WHILE SEVERE WEATHER IS POSSIBLE FOR THE ENTIRE AREA...THE AREA OF
MOST CONCERN FOR SEVERAL STRONG TORNADOES...AND VERY LARGE HAIL IS
GREATEST FOR COUNTIES ALONG AND SOUTH OF THE OHIO RIVER FROM THE
LATER AFTERNOON INTO THE EARLY EVENING HOURS.

A TORNADO WATCH IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM EST. REMAIN ALERT FOR
WARNINGS. FORM A PLAN NOW OF NOT ONLY HOW YOU WILL RECEIVE THE
WARNING INFORMATION...BUT WHAT SPECIFIC ACTIONS YOU WILL TAKE.

WHEN A WARNING IS ISSUED OR THREATENING WEATHER MOVES IN...SEEK
SHELTER IN THE LOWEST POSSIBLE LEVEL OF A STURDY STRUCTURE. PUT AS
MANY WALLS BETWEEN YOU AND THE STORM AS POSSIBLE. MOVE UNDER HEAVY
FURNITURE AND CONSIDER WEARING A BICYCLE HELMET TO PROTECT YOUR
HEAD FROM FALLING DEBRIS. CONSIDER THE EFFECTS OF POWER
OUTAGES...SO FLASHLIGHTS...WEATHER RADIOS...AND CELLULAR PHONES
ARE ITEMS TO BE SURE YOU HAVE WITH YOU.

THIS IS AN VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. PREPARE NOW FOR POSSIBLE
TORNADO WARNINGS DURING THE LATE AFTERNOON AND EARLY EVENING.

BINAU

Special weather statement, Mar 2, 3:15 PM EST, 29 minutes before

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WILMINGTON OH
315 PM EST FRI MAR 2 2012

INZ050-058-059-OHZ042-060-022100-
UNION IN-FAYETTE IN-WAYNE IN-DARKE OH-PREBLE OH-
315 PM EST FRI MAR 2 2012

...A LINE OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL AFFECT NORTHERN PREBLE...
DARKE...WAYNE...NORTHERN FAYETTE AND NORTHERN UNION COUNTIES THROUGH
400 PM EST...

AT 310 PM EST...RADAR INDICATED STRONG THUNDERSTORMS ALONG A LINE
EXTENDING FROM FRANKLIN TO SHELBYVILLE...MOVING NORTHEAST AT
75 MPH.

WIND GUSTS TO 50 MPH AND ONE HALF INCH DIAMETER HAIL ARE POSSIBLE
WITH THESE STORMS.

SOME LOCATIONS THAT MAY BE AFFECTED INCLUDE...HAGERSTOWN...DUBLIN...
UNION CITY...CAMBRIDGE CITY...ANSONIA...FOUNTAIN CITY...
CONNERSVILLE...VERSAILLES...CENTERVILLE...GREENVILLE...RICHMOND AND
NEW MADISON.

ALSO...ECONOMY...MOUNT AUBURN...GLENWOOD...WILLIAMSBURG...COSMOS...
SHARPS CROSSING...BENTONVILLE AND JACKSONBURG ARE NEAR THE PATH OF
THIS LINE OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS.

RESIDENTS IN THESE AREAS SHOULD REMAIN ALERT. IF THESE STORMS BECOME
STRONGER...THEN A WARNING MAY BE NEEDED.

LAT...LON 3979 8531 3980 8523 3995 8521 4001 8517
      4001 8482 4027 8481 4035 8443 3992 8443
      3992 8449 3980 8449 3968 8482 3962 8531

HATZOS

The radar

The Louisville radar (KLVX), 97 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 20:43 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

9 hail, 7 tornado, 2 thunderstorm wind, 1 flood. Local standard time, as filed.

Tornado, Carroll

When: March 2, 3:44 PM EST to 3:48 PM EST
Where: Carroll County, 2.79 mi SSW of Locust to 2.38 mi WSW of Prestonville
Rating: EF1
Path length: 2.4 mi
Path width: 150 yd
Property damage: $1.3 million
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 38.661, -85.264

The tornado initially touched down in Trimble County at 1541 EST, causing extensive EF2 and some EF3 damage south of Milton, before weakening. While in Trimble County, the tornado traveled 3.26 miles and had a maximum width of 75 yards. Based on the damage survey conducted in Trimble County, the maximum estimated wind speed of the tornado at that time was 140 miles per hour. The tornado then entered Carroll County at 1544 EST. The EF1 damage in Carroll County began near the county line near the junction of East Prong Locust Road and Wrights Ridge Road. At this point the path width of the tornado had decreased to 150 yards. The path continued east northeast along Kings Ridge Road. The path then continued east northeast to Route 42 in the vicinity of Kemper Lane near the Harbor Pointe Estates community. The path briefly continued after that before diminishing. Damage in Carroll County was consistent with a high end EF0 to low end EF1 tornado. Several structures had minor to more significant roof damage, with some structures losing over 25 percent of the roof structure. Several barns were destroyed, as well as widespread hardwood tree damage. These trees were either snapped or uprooted. At least two mobile homes were destroyed. Based on this survey, the maximum estimated wind speed of this tornado while in Carroll County, was 95 miles per hour. Damage estimates in Carroll County are 1,277,000 dollars.

Hail, Carroll

When: March 2, 3:50 PM EST to 3:54 PM EST
Where: Carroll County, Carrollton
Measured: 1.25 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 38.670, -85.170

Flood, Boone

When: March 2, 4:00 PM EST to 5:00 PM EST
Where: Boone County, 4 mi SSE of Union to 2.31 mi SW of Richwood
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 38.897, -84.641

High standing water was reported near Richmond and Hicks Roads. Water was up to a car door in the area. These occurrences were due to heavy rainfall.

Hail, Gallatin

When: March 2, 4:05 PM EST to 4:09 PM EST
Where: Gallatin County, Warsaw
Measured: 2.75 in hail
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 38.780, -84.880

Hail, Carroll

When: March 2, 4:14 PM EST to 4:18 PM EST
Where: Carroll County, Worthville
Measured: 4.25 in hail
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 38.600, -85.070

Hail, Carroll

When: March 2, 4:15 PM EST to 4:19 PM EST
Where: Carroll County, Carrollton
Measured: 1.25 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 38.670, -85.170

Hail, Carroll

When: March 2, 4:15 PM EST to 4:19 PM EST
Where: Carroll County, 1 mi S of Carrollton
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Reported by: NWS Employee
Coordinates: 38.656, -85.170

Tornado, Grant

When: March 2, 4:23 PM EST to 4:24 PM EST
Where: Grant County, 1.93 mi WNW of Crittenden to 1.21 mi NNW of Crittenden
Rating: EF3
Path length: 1.33 mi
Path width: 880 yd
Continued into: Kenton, Ky (ILN)
Property damage: $500,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 38.791, -84.633

The tornado touched down in Grant County at 1623 EST, causing low to mid EF3 damage specifically in the Harvesters Subdivision. This damage occurred at the west end of Barley Circle. Most of the damage in the rest of the subdivision was EF1 to EF2. Based on the damage surveyed, the maximum wind speed of this tornado while in Grant County was estimated at 145 miles per hour. After traveling 1.33 miles on the ground in Grant County, the tornado then crossed into Kenton County at 1624 EST. Immediately as the tornado crossed west to east of Interstate 75, it strengthened to EF4 level. Five single family homes were destroyed down to their foundations in this area, with at least two of these homes having strapping or bolting to their foundations. The EF4 damage continued to the north end of Lexington Pike, where 2 homes and multiple outbuildings were completely destroyed. Both homes were brick structures with foundation bolting or strapping. The EF4 winds continued across Route 25 and ended near the Bagby Road area. At least 2 vehicles were carried, with one carried over 1800 feet. Trees were stripped of nearly all branches, with much of the bark also stripped. All 4 fatalities with this tornado occurred within the area of EF4 damage. As the tornado headed further to the east northeast, high end EF3 damage continued through other properties along Bagby Road, to Carlisle, Parker Grove, and Paxton Roads. Numerous double and single wide homes were destroyed, with both brick and siding structures left with collapsed exterior walls and either all or a large percentage of the roof removed. The tornado continued the east northeast path into southeast Kenton County, to the Licking River near Morning View. Damage in the Morning View area was consistent with EF1 to EF2 damage to near the Campbell County line, where the tornado lifted at 1632 EST after traveling 8.52 miles in Kenton County. Based on the damage surveyed, the maximum wind speed from this tornado while in Kenton County was estimated at 175 miles per hour. This storm produced an earlier tornado in southern Indiana. Debris, possibly from that tornado, was later observed falling from the sky across Boone County, Kentucky.

Tornado, Owen

When: March 2, 4:24 PM EST to 4:29 PM EST
Where: Owen County, 1.48 mi SSE of New Liberty to 2.13 mi NE of Long Ridge
Rating: EF2
Path length: 5.4 mi
Path width: 150 yd
Injuries: 3 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $320,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 38.600, -84.890

The tornado touched down north of Owenton initially near a farm south of Highway 227, where minor damage to a barn and house were observed. The tornado continued east to near the intersection of Todd Road and Highways 127, 36, and 227 where the EF2 damage occurred. This damage included a house that had complete removal of the roof and partial exterior wall collapse. Numerous barns in the area were also completely destroyed. Power poles and trees were snapped, as well as a semi trailer overturned. The tornado then continued east across Kemper Lane where more barns were destroyed and numerous groves of trees were uprooted and snapped. The tornado lifted just east of Jonesville Road. This location is approximate due to inaccessible terrain. Damage in the area of Jonesville Road consisted of minor damage to outbuildings, tree damage, and minor removal of roofing material. Based on the damage survey, the maximum wind speed of this tornado was estimated to be 125 miles per hour.

Tornado, Kenton

When: March 2, 4:24 PM EST to 4:32 PM EST
Where: Kenton County, 2.29 mi SW of Bracht to 0.67 mi SSW of Morning View
Rating: EF4
Path length: 8.52 mi
Path width: 880 yd
Deaths: 4 direct, 0 indirect
Injuries: 8 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $20 million
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 38.796, -84.609

Hail, Grant

When: March 2, 4:25 PM EST to 4:29 PM EST
Where: Grant County, Jonesville
Measured: 2 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 38.630, -84.770

Hail, Owen

When: March 2, 4:25 PM EST to 4:29 PM EST
Where: Owen County, New Liberty
Measured: 2.75 in hail
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 38.620, -84.900

Hail, Owen

When: March 2, 4:31 PM EST to 4:35 PM EST
Where: Owen County, Bromley
Measured: 2.5 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 38.630, -84.830

Hail, Grant

When: March 2, 4:35 PM EST to 4:39 PM EST
Where: Grant County, 5 mi WSW of Dry Ridge to Dry Ridge
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Amateur Radio
Coordinates: 38.652, -84.666

Tornado, Campbell

When: March 2, 4:39 PM EST to 4:41 PM EST
Where: Campbell County, 1.78 mi SE of Grants Lick to 1.86 mi SSE of Kohler
Rating: EF3
Path length: 2.68 mi
Path width: 440 yd
Continued into: Pendleton, Ky (ILN)
Property damage: $1.0 million
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 38.835, -84.353

The tornado initially touched down in south central Campbell County at 1639 EST near Peach Grove Road and crossed Fisher Road northwest of Peach Grove. The tornado then crossed into Pendleton County at 1641 EST after producing high end EF3 damage along Reid Ridge Road near the Campbell and Pendleton County line. The tornado then moved across Mays Road producing significant and widespread EF2 to low end EF3 damage. The tornado then crossed AA highway and eventually the Ohio River, after crossing Kentucky Highway 8. Based on the damage surveyed, the maximum wind speed of the tornado was estimated to be 160 miles per hour in Campbell County and 140 miles per hour in Pendleton County. The tornado traveled a total of 2.68 miles in Campbell County, and 4 miles in Pendleton County. The tornado then moved into Clermont County Ohio at 1646 EST, where it hit the town of Moscow, causing EF3 damage. The tornado continued on the ground across Clermont County, crossing into Brown County at 1658 EST. The tornado then lifted south of Hamersville in western Brown County at 1702 EST. This tornado caused extensive damage to structures and trees along its entire path on both sides of the Ohio River. Numerous homes were very heavily damaged or destroyed. Many homes lost their roofs, having complete exterior wall failure. Some modular homes were completely removed from their foundations, lifted, and thrown in excess of 100 yards where they were destroyed. The damage in Ohio from this tornado was consistent with maximum winds estimated at 160 miles per hour in Clermont County, and 100 miles per hour in Brown County. The tornado traveled a total of 11.04 miles in Clermont County, and 2.69 miles in Brown County.

Tornado, Pendleton

When: March 2, 4:41 PM EST to 4:46 PM EST
Where: Pendleton County, 1.73 mi NW of Peach Grove to 0.77 mi S of Ivor
Rating: EF3
Path length: 4 mi
Path width: 440 yd
Continued into: Clermont, Oh (ILN)
Property damage: $2.0 million
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 38.846, -84.305

The tornado initially touched down in south central Campbell County at 1639 EST near Peach Grove Road and crossed Fisher Road northwest of Peach Grove. The tornado then crossed into Pendleton County at 1641 EST after producing high end EF3 damage along Reid Ridge Road near the Campbell and Pendleton County line. The tornado then moved across Mays Road producing significant and widespread EF2 to low end EF3 damage. The tornado then crossed AA highway and eventually the Ohio River, after crossing Kentucky Highway 8. Based on the damage surveyed, the maximum wind speed of the tornado was estimated to be 160 miles per hour in Campbell County and 140 miles per hour in Pendleton County. The tornado traveled a total of 2.68 miles in Campbell County, and 4 miles in Pendleton County. The tornado moved into Clermont County Ohio at 1646 EST, where it hit the town of Moscow, causing EF3 damage. The tornado continued on the ground across Clermont County, crossing into Brown County at 1658 EST. The tornado then lifted south of Hamersville in western Brown County at 1702 EST. This tornado caused extensive damage to structures and trees along its entire path on both sides of the Ohio River. Numerous homes were very heavily damaged or destroyed. Many homes lost their roofs, having complete exterior wall failure. Some modular homes were completely removed from their foundations, lifted, and thrown in excess of 100 yards where they were destroyed. The damage in Ohio from this tornado was consistent with maximum winds estimated at 160 miles per hour in Clermont County, and 100 miles per hour in Brown County. The tornado traveled a total of 11.04 miles in Clermont County, and 2.69 miles in Brown County.

Thunderstorm Wind, Owen

When: March 2, 4:55 PM EST to 4:56 PM EST
Where: Owen County, 5 mi SE of Owenton
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 38.479, -84.765

Tornado, Bracken

When: March 2, 5:02 PM EST to 5:03 PM EST
Where: Bracken County, 0.48 mi S of Berlin to 0.43 mi SSE of Berlin
Rating: EF0
Path length: 0.13 mi
Path width: 50 yd
Property damage: $70,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 38.693, -84.170

The tornado touched down initially near Haley Ridge Road and lifted before crossing Willow Lennoxburg Road. The tornado destroyed a garage, snapped a power line pole, and caused heavy damage to a barn. Several two by fours from the barn were driven one to two feet into the ground. At the end of the tornadoes path, the damage consisted of numerous medium sized trees snapped. The damage associated with the barn showed evidence of rotation. Based on damage observed, the maximum wind speed of this tornado was estimated at 85 miles per hour.

Thunderstorm Wind, Bracken

When: March 2, 5:15 PM EST to 5:22 PM EST
Where: Bracken County, Powersville to 2.23 mi N of Stonewall
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $30,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 38.650, -84.120

Widespread minor tree and roof damage occurred. Based on damage patterns obtained during the survey, this damage was caused by straight line thunderstorm winds estimated at 60 to 70 miles per hour.

The people who died

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
Tornado, Kenton	2012-03-02	79	Male	Permanent Structure	Direct
Tornado, Kenton	2012-03-02	73	Female	Permanent Structure	Direct
Tornado, Kenton	2012-03-02	25	Male	Vehicle/Towed Trailer	Direct
Tornado, Kenton	2012-03-02	43	Female	Vehicle/Towed Trailer	Direct

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.
Hail: Hail three-quarters of an inch or larger, or smaller hail that caused damage, filed with the largest stone measured.
Flood: Flooding that develops more slowly than a flash flood: rivers leaving their banks, or water standing over land for an extended time.
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.

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

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Kentucky in 2012 Every state in 2012 This day in weather history The tornado archive for Kentucky, 2012 Warnings in Kentucky, March 2012

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: 369131, 370443, 372348, 370275, 370276, 370273, 370274, 369205, 369180, 369474, 370277, 370278, 370281, 370280, 369380, 369383, 371715, 369352, 371716.