Tornado and Hail in Kentucky, December 21, 2013

Name: Tornado and Hail in Kentucky, December 21, 2013
Start: 2013-12-21T17:16
End: 2013-12-21T20:20
Location: Kentucky

December 21, 2013 · NWS PAH · 13 events in 8 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: $337,000
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 13

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 PAH wrote it up.

A surface low pressure system deepened as it moved northeast across western Tennessee, reaching the Lower Ohio Valley in the evening. A strong, negatively tilted shortwave at 500 mb ejected northeast from the southern Plains, providing strong forcing for ascent. A squall line organized near the Mississippi River and then surged east-northeast in association with the strengthening surface low. Unseasonably warm and moist air advanced across western Kentucky and southwest Indiana ahead of the squall line. Though instability was weak, it was based near the ground. Very strong low-level wind shear supported embedded circulations within the squall line. These resulted in pockets of very damaging winds and an isolated tornado.

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 Paducah, KY wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Dec 21, 3:12 PM CST, 2 hours 4 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Dec 21, 3:12 PM CST, 2 hours 4 minutes before

AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PADUCAH KY
312 PM CST Sat Dec 21 2013

.SHORT TERM...(This afternoon through Sunday night)
ISSUED AT 249 PM CST SAT DEC 21 2013

Southerly flow for the past couple of days has advected deep
moisture across the region. In the meantime, a NE-SW oriented frontal
boundary has stalled halfway across our CWA. The combination of warm
air advection, isentropic upglide, and upper level impulses has
caused elevated showers and even a few thunderstorms to
continually stream northeast across locations generally along and
n/w of the Ohio river today. This has prompted widespread flash flood
warning in those locations, with multiple reports of street
flooding, and even a water rescue near Poplar Bluff in se MO. For
the most part this scenario will remain the same late today,
except that with time a sharp h5 low/wave will become negatively
tilted as it ejects northeast from west central Texas today to
the Great Lakes region around sunrise Sunday.

The passage of this feature just to our north and west is expected
to induce a surface low on the front that is forecast to track
northeast across our CWA tonight. The surface low will eventually
pull/push the previously stalled frontal boundary across the
remainder of our CWA late tonight.

The passage of the surface and upper trofs along the front will
greatly enhance lift, instability, and shear across the area,
especially from mid afternoon through midnight. As a result, not
only will heavy rainfall cont to be an issue tonight, but also
the potential for convection to become severe with damaging winds
and a few tornadoes, some possibly significant. The main risk will
be along and south of the Ohio river late today and this evening,
esp east of a Murray to OWB line, where lifted indices have fallen
to -2 to -4 this afternoon.

Beyond midnight tonight as the surface low and front clear the area,
and precipitation chances should decrease quickly from west to
east. On Monday models still indicate plenty of 1000-850MB post
frontal moisture and cold air advection so will be difficult to
get rid of the low clouds...and possibly even some drizzle. Temps
may actually cont to fall slowly during the day Sunday.

Well above temperatures in the early periods of the forecast drop
off to below normal readings by the end of the period.

.LONG TERM...(Monday through Saturday)
ISSUED AT 249 PM CST SAT DEC 21 2013

There still remains a small signal for light snow late Wednesday
Night (Christmas evening) into early Thursday. However, the signal
has been somewhat sporadic and not consistent across the numerical
model suite. For now, a small chance (less than 20% chance) of light
snow has been kept in for the aforementioned time period. The
shortwave associated with this small chance of snow shifts northeast
into the Great Lakes area with dramatically weakening lift with time.

Each of the medium range guidance packages handle the shortwaves
rotating around the Canadian vortex in slightly different location
and timing. Given the high variability and low confidence in these
model solutions, a dry forecast was kept in place.

Went with the slight cooler bias of the Canadian/ECMWF, as well as
GFS MOS guidance for temperatures and dewpoints.

&&

.AVIATION...
ISSUED AT 1212 PM CST SAT DEC 21 2013

Main adjustment was to attempt to simplify forecast groupings to
account for movement of surface low and frontal boundary along and
south of the Ohio River this afternoon and evening. Went from MVFR
to IFR for KCGI (expected to remain north of the surface low) with
MVFR to local IFR (with thunderstorm chances) for KPAH, KEVV,
KKOWB this afternoon and overnight.

&&

.PAH WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
IL...FLOOD WATCH through late tonight FOR ILZ075>078-080>094.

MO...FLOOD WATCH through late tonight FOR MOZ076-086-087-100-107>112-
     114.

IN...FLOOD WATCH through late tonight FOR INZ081-082-085>088.

KY...FLOOD WATCH through late tonight FOR KYZ001>022.

&&

SHORT TERM...Meffert
LONG TERM...Smith
AVIATION...Smith

Hazardous weather outlook, Dec 21, 7:33 AM CST, 9 hours 43 minutes before

HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PADUCAH KY
733 AM CST SAT DEC 21 2013

ILZ075>078-080>094-INZ081-082-085>088-KYZ001>022-MOZ076-086-087-
100-107>112-114-221100-
JEFFERSON-WAYNE IL-EDWARDS-WABASH-PERRY IL-FRANKLIN-HAMILTON-
WHITE-JACKSON-WILLIAMSON-SALINE-GALLATIN-UNION IL-JOHNSON-POPE-
HARDIN-ALEXANDER-PULASKI-MASSAC-GIBSON-PIKE-POSEY-VANDERBURGH-
WARRICK-SPENCER-FULTON-HICKMAN-CARLISLE-BALLARD-MCCRACKEN-GRAVES-
LIVINGSTON-MARSHALL-CALLOWAY-CRITTENDEN-LYON-TRIGG-CALDWELL-
UNION KY-WEBSTER-HOPKINS-CHRISTIAN-HENDERSON-DAVIESS-MCLEAN-
MUHLENBERG-TODD-PERRY MO-BOLLINGER-CAPE GIRARDEAU-WAYNE MO-CARTER-
RIPLEY-BUTLER-STODDARD-SCOTT-MISSISSIPPI-NEW MADRID-
733 AM CST SAT DEC 21 2013

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR PORTIONS OF SOUTHERN
ILLINOIS...SOUTHWEST INDIANA...WESTERN KENTUCKY AND SOUTHEAST
MISSOURI.

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT

A FLOOD WATCH CONTINUES THROUGH TONIGHT. HEAVY RAIN IS FORECAST
WITH SOME FLOODING LIKELY. REFER TO THE FLOOD WATCH PRODUCT FOR
DETAILS.

THUNDERSTORMS ARE POSSIBLE AREA WIDE TODAY THROUGH THIS EVENING.
THERE IS A SLIGHT RISK OF STORMS BECOMING SEVERE GENERALLY SOUTH
AND EAST OF A LINE FROM ALBION ILLINOIS TO POPLAR BLUFF MISSOURI.
THERE IS A MODERATE RISK OF SEVERE STORMS GENERALLY TO THE SOUTH
AND EAST OF A LINE FROM HICKMAN TO OWENSBORO KENTUCKY. THE PRIMARY
THREATS WITH THE STRONGER STORMS WILL NOT ONLY BE HEAVY RAINFALL
BUT ALSO DAMAGING WINDS AND POSSIBLY A FEW LONG TRACK TORNADOES.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...SUNDAY THROUGH FRIDAY

NO HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SPOTTER ACTIVATION WILL LIKELY BE REQUESTED THIS AFTERNOON AND
EVENING. IN ADDITION...REPORTS OF HEAVY RAIN AND/OR FLOODING ARE
APPRECIATED THROUGHOUT THE HEAVY RAIN EVENT.

JP

In the hours before

Local storm report, Dec 21, 4:39 PM CST, 37 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PADUCAH KY
439 PM CST SAT DEC 21 2013

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

0429 PM     FLOOD            POPLAR BLUFF            36.76N 90.41W
12/21/2013                   BUTLER             MO   EMERGENCY MNGR

            PERSONS REMOVED FROM HOME ON WILLOW STREET DUE TO HIGH
            WATER. THIS IS NEAR THE JUNCTION OF BUSINESS ROUTE 60 AND
            67 IN TOWN. REPORTED RELAYED FROM POPLAR BLUFF CITY FIRE
            CHIEF TO EMERGENCY MANAGER.

&&

K. SMITH

Local storm report, Dec 21, 4:41 PM CST, 35 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT...SUMMARY
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PADUCAH KY
441 PM CST SAT DEC 21 2013

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

0750 AM     FLASH FLOOD      CARBONDALE              37.72N 89.22W
12/21/2013                   JACKSON            IL   TRAINED SPOTTER

            STREET FLOODING WITH WATER RUNNING OVER ROADWAYS REPORTED
            IN THE COMMUNITY. TRAINED SPOTTER REPORTED 3.32 INCHES OF
            RAINFALL SINCE MIDNIGHT ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF CARBONDALE.

0807 AM     HEAVY RAIN       7 NW POPLAR BLUFF       36.84N 90.50W
12/21/2013  M3.98 INCH       BUTLER             MO   TRAINED SPOTTER

            RAINFALL SINCE 4 PM CST ON DECEMBER 20TH.

0807 AM     FLASH FLOOD      MARION                  37.73N 88.94W
12/21/2013                   WILLIAMSON         IL   AMATEUR RADIO

            SEVERAL CITY ROADS HAVE WATER RUNNING OVER THEM AND WATER
            WAS STANDING IN SEVERAL PARKING LOTS. LIST OF ROADS TO
            NUMEROUS TO MENTION IN THIS REPORT.

0821 AM     FLOOD            HOPKINSVILLE            36.85N 87.49W
12/21/2013                   CHRISTIAN          KY   LAW ENFORCEMENT

            LITTLE RIVER CHURCH ROAD ON THE SOUTH FORK OF THE LITTLE
            RIVER HAS BEEN CLOSED DUE TO WATER OVER THE ROAD. REPORT
            RELAYED BY THE HOPKINSVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT.

0900 AM     FLASH FLOOD      SHAWNEETOWN             37.71N 88.17W
12/21/2013                   GALLATIN           IL   EMERGENCY MNGR

            SEVERAL, ABOUT FOUR, SECONDARY ROADS COVERED WITH WATER
            IN COUNTY AT THIS TIME BETWEEN 9-930 AM CST. THEY WERE
            PASSABLE, BUT ARE NOT EXPECTED TO BE LATER THIS MORNING.
            WATER WAS ALSO ON ROUTE 13, WEST OF SHAWNEETOWN.
            EMERGENCY MANAGER REPORTED 2.6 INCHES OF RAIN ALREADY HAS
            FALLEN AT THIS TIME.

0900 AM     FLASH FLOOD      HURST                   37.84N 89.14W
12/21/2013                   WILLIAMSON         IL   TRAINED SPOTTER

            ROUTE 149 IN FRONT OF T AND T RECYCLING IS COVERED WITH
            WATER. FLOODING IN HERRIN AS WELL.

0901 AM     HEAVY RAIN       HUNTER                  36.89N 90.85W
12/21/2013  E4.00 INCH       CARTER             MO   PUBLIC

            REPORT FROM SOCIAL MEDIA.

0901 AM     FLASH FLOOD      HENDERSON               37.84N 87.58W
12/21/2013                   HENDERSON          KY   DEPT OF HIGHWAYS

            KENTUCKY CABINET OF TRANSPORTATION REPORTED THE FOLLOWING
            ROADS HAVE WATER OVER THEM IN HENDERSON COUNTY KY AND ARE
            CLOSED. KENTUCKY HIGHWAY 2247-0-1 MILE MARKER, KENTUCKY
            HIGHWAY 812 BETWEEN 2 AND 5 MILE MARKER, KENTUCKY HIGHWAY
            1557 BETWEEN 2 AND 3 MILE MARKER, KENTUCKY HIGWAY 1439
            BETWEEN 0 AND 2 MILE MARKER. HIGH WATER IS ALSO ON
            KENTUCKY HIGHWAYS 2183 AND 136.

0901 AM     FLASH FLOOD      CARMI                   38.09N 88.17W
12/21/2013                   WHITE              IL   TRAINED SPOTTER

            TWO FEET OF WATER AT THE ENTRANCE OF PHOENIX NURSTING
            HOME IN CARMI. LAST AMBULANCE BARELY MADE IT THROUGH THE
            WATER.

1000 AM     HEAVY RAIN       2 ESE BUSH              37.83N 89.10W
12/21/2013  M3.78 INCH       WILLIAMSON         IL   COCORAHS

1027 AM     FLASH FLOOD      CAMBRIA                 37.78N 89.11W
12/21/2013                   WILLIAMSON         IL   TRAINED SPOTTER

            WATER OVER ROAD AND DITCHES FULL AT VAUGHN ROAD AND
            VERMONT ROAD NEAR CAMBRIA ILLINOIS. SPOTTER REPORT
            RELAYED BY SOCIAL MEDIA.

1033 AM     FLASH FLOOD      EVANSVILLE              37.98N 87.54W
12/21/2013                   VANDERBURGH        IN   PUBLIC

            WATER OVER ROADS ON EICJHOFF ROAD AT ASTER LANE IN ASHLEY
            PLACE SUBDIVISION. REPORT RELAYED VIA SOCIAL MEDIA.

1100 AM     FLASH FLOOD      1 N MCGEE               37.09N 90.20W
12/21/2013                   BOLLINGER          MO   EMERGENCY MNGR

            WATER RESCUE BY WAYNE COUNTY F.D. ON HIGHWAY P AND TT DUE
            TO FLOODED ROADS NEAR THE BORDER OF WAYNE AND BOLLINGER
            COUNTY.

1105 AM     HEAVY RAIN       WARE                    37.45N 89.39W
12/21/2013  M4.90 INCH       UNION              IL   PUBLIC

            PUBLIC REPORT. STORM TOTAL SO FAR.

1200 PM     HEAVY RAIN       ELLSINORE               36.93N 90.75W
12/21/2013  M4.50 INCH       CARTER             MO   TRAINED SPOTTER

            STORM TOTAL SINCE LATE YESTERDAY EVENING.

1200 PM     HEAVY RAIN       MARBLE HILL             37.30N 89.98W
12/21/2013  M4.00 INCH       BOLLINGER          MO   EMERGENCY MNGR

            RAINFALL SO FAR. REPORT FROM BOLLINGER COUNTY EMERGENCY
            MANAGEMENT.

1215 PM     HEAVY RAIN       CARMI                   38.09N 88.17W
12/21/2013  M4.91 INCH       WHITE              IL   TRAINED SPOTTER

            STORM TOTAL SINCE LATE LAST EVENING.

1223 PM     HEAVY RAIN       N GOREVILLE             37.31N 89.67W
12/21/2013  M3.75 INCH       CAPE GIRARDEAU     MO   TRAINED SPOTTER

            TEMPERATURE 39.6F

1223 PM     FLASH FLOOD      GREENVILLE              37.13N 90.45W
12/21/2013                   WAYNE              MO   AMATEUR RADIO

            SCANNER REPORT OF 2-3 INCHES OF WATER ON HOME FOUNDATION
            IN A HOUSE OFF OF HIGHWAY PP.

1230 PM     FLASH FLOOD      DIEHLSTADT              36.96N 89.43W
12/21/2013                   SCOTT              MO   TRAINED SPOTTER

            TWO TO THREE INCHES OF WATER OVER HIGHWAY 360 NEAR
            DIEHLSTADT. COOPERATIVE OBSERVER IN DIEHLSTADT REPORTED
            AN ADDITIONAL 1.84 INCHES BETWEEN 7 AM-1230 PM CST.
            APPROX. 3.46 INCHES WERE REPORTED BETWEEN 2 AM - 7 AM
            CST. STORM TOTAL SO FAR...5.3 INCHES.

1242 PM     HEAVY RAIN       2 S FORT BRANCH         38.22N 87.57W
12/21/2013  M4.50 INCH       GIBSON             IN   TRAINED SPOTTER

1244 PM     FLASH FLOOD      MARBLE HILL             37.30N 89.98W
12/21/2013                   BOLLINGER          MO   BROADCAST MEDIA

            FLOODING IN AND AROUND JERS RESTUARANT. REPORTED RELAYED
            BY KFVS-12 VIA SOCIAL MEDIA.

1248 PM     FLASH FLOOD      FORT BRANCH             38.25N 87.57W
12/21/2013                   GIBSON             IN   PUBLIC

            EAST COAL MINE ROAD /COUNTY ROAD-800S/ SOUTH OF FORT
            BRANCH CLOSED.

0122 PM     FLASH FLOOD      6 NW POPLAR BLUFF       36.83N 90.48W
12/21/2013                   BUTLER             MO   EMERGENCY MNGR

            WATER RESCUE ONGOING US HIGHWAY 60 AND COUNTY ROAD 410.
            TWO PEOPLE TRAPPED.

0128 PM     FLASH FLOOD      8 NW POPLAR BLUFF       36.85N 90.51W
12/21/2013                   BUTLER             MO   EMERGENCY MNGR

            *** 1 INJ *** WATER RESCUE IN THE CAN CREEK AREA NORTH OF
            U.S. 60 AND WEST OF U.S. 67. TWO OCCUPANTS /INCLUDING ONE
            CHILD/ WERE REMOVED FROM VEHICLE. ONE PERSON WAS INJURED
            AND TRANSPORTED TO POPLAR BLUFF REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER
            FOR TREATMENT.

0130 PM     FLASH FLOOD      EVANSVILLE              37.98N 87.54W
12/21/2013                   VANDERBURGH        IN   TRAINED SPOTTER

            WIDESPREAD STREET FLOODING. AREAS OF STANDING OR RUNNING
            WATER ACROSS SECTIONS OF THE LLOYD EXPRESSWAY.

0145 PM     HEAVY RAIN       JACKSON                 37.38N 89.65W
12/21/2013  M4.00 INCH       CAPE GIRARDEAU     MO   TRAINED SPOTTER

            STORM TOTAL ACCUMULATION SINCE LATE LAST EVENING.

0159 PM     FLASH FLOOD      2 NE POPLAR BLUFF       36.78N 90.38W
12/21/2013                   BUTLER             MO   EMERGENCY MNGR

            WATER RESCUE ON RED ROBIN LANE NEAR JUNCTION OF U.S. 60
            AND STATE ROUTE T. TWO OCCUPANTS REMOVED SAFELY FROM
            VEHICLE WITH NO ISSUE.

0201 PM     FLASH FLOOD      FORT BRANCH             38.25N 87.57W
12/21/2013                   GIBSON             IN   TRAINED SPOTTER

            MINI-VAN STUCK IN WATER 2.5 MILES EAST OF HIGHWAY 41 ADN
            750 SOUTH. WATER RESCUE IN PROGRESS.

0204 PM     HEAVY RAIN       ROUND KNOB              37.22N 88.73W
12/21/2013  M5.82 INCH       MASSAC             IL   TRAINED SPOTTER

            RAINFALL TOTAL SO FAR SINCE MIDNIGHT. ROADS IN THE
            VICINITY OF ROUND KNOB HAVE WATER OVER THEM. TEMPERATURE
            47 DEGREES.

0204 PM     HEAVY RAIN       ROUND KNOB              37.22N 88.73W
12/21/2013  M5.82 INCH       MASSAC             IL   TRAINED SPOTTER

            MANY ROADS IN THE AREA WATER COVERED MASSAC COUNTY.

0223 PM     HEAVY RAIN       CARTERVILLE             37.76N 89.08W
12/21/2013  M4.03 INCH       WILLIAMSON         IL   BROADCAST MEDIA

            REPORT FROM WSIL-TV. STORM TOTAL SO FAR SINCE MIDNIGHT.

0225 PM     FLASH FLOOD      ENFIELD                 38.10N 88.34W
12/21/2013                   WHITE              IL   PUBLIC

            HIGHWAY 45 BETWEEN ENFIELD AND MILL SHOALS UNDER WATER.
            SWIFT MOVING WATER WITH FLOATING DEBRIS JUST OUTSIDE OF
            ENFIELD. BIG TRUCKS HAD CAUTION LIGHTS ON IN THIS AREA.
            REPORT RELAYED FROM TRAINED SPOTTER. REPORT FROM PUBLIC
            VIA SOCIAL MEDIA.

0225 PM     FLASH FLOOD      HARRISBURG              37.74N 88.55W
12/21/2013                   SALINE             IL   PUBLIC

            WATER UP TO DOOR SILLS OF PICKUP ON INGRAM HILL ROAD ON
            EAST SIDE OF HARRISBURG. REPORT FROM SOCIAL MEDIA.

0239 PM     FLASH FLOOD      KEVIL                   37.08N 88.89W
12/21/2013                   BALLARD            KY   TRAINED SPOTTER

            WATER COVERING ROAD IN SEVERAL PLACES ALONG WOODVILLE
            ROAD AND APPERSON ROAD. AVERAGE DEPTH OF WATER ON
            ROADWAYS 1.5 INCHES.

0241 PM     HEAVY RAIN       3 SE MARION             37.70N 88.90W
12/21/2013  M5.49 INCH       WILLIAMSON         IL   TRAINED SPOTTER

            RAINFALL SINCE MIDNIGHT. RAIN STILL FALLING.

0242 PM     FLASH FLOOD      1 S LEDFORD             37.69N 88.59W
12/21/2013                   SALINE             IL   TRAINED SPOTTER

            WATER OVER THE ROADWAY.

0242 PM     HEAVY RAIN       2 S JUNCTION            37.69N 88.24W
12/21/2013  M4.40 INCH       GALLATIN           IL   TRAINED SPOTTER

            RAINFALL TOTAL DURING THE PAST 12 HOURS.

0242 PM     FLASH FLOOD      RIDGWAY                 37.80N 88.26W
12/21/2013                   GALLATIN           IL   TRAINED SPOTTER

            WATER COVERING BOTH LANES AT RIDGEWAY SPUR.

0245 PM     HEAVY RAIN       2 N ROUND KNOB          37.25N 88.73W
12/21/2013  M5.10 INCH       MASSAC             IL   TRAINED SPOTTER

            STORM TOTAL SINCE LATE LAST EVENING. SEVERAL LOCAL
            ROADWAYS ARE FLOODED AND NEARLY IMPASSABLE.

0300 PM     FLOOD            SHAWNEETOWN             37.71N 88.17W
12/21/2013                   GALLATIN           IL   EMERGENCY MNGR

            WIDESPREAD FLOODING ALONG SECONDARY ROADS THROUGHOUT THE
            COUNTY.

0300 PM     HEAVY RAIN       SHAWNEETOWN             37.71N 88.17W
12/21/2013  M4.60 INCH       GALLATIN           IL   EMERGENCY MNGR

            STORM TOTAL SINCE LATE LAST EVENING.

0306 PM     HEAVY RAIN       N METROPOLIS            37.15N 88.71W
12/21/2013  E4.00 INCH       MASSAC             IL   PUBLIC

            RAINFALL SO FAR TODAY.

0313 PM     FLASH FLOOD      1 WSW ARLINGTON         36.78N 89.03W
12/21/2013                   CARLISLE           KY   TRAINED SPOTTER

            HIGHWAY 80, WEST OF ARLINGTON, NEAR THE BROADWAY STREET
            AREA IS FLOODED. RAINFALL TOTAL SO FAR 3.08 INCHES.

0325 PM     HEAVY RAIN       CUNNINGHAM              36.92N 88.91W
12/21/2013  M2.25 INCH       CARLISLE           KY   PUBLIC

            CORRECTED...RAINFALL TOTAL SO FAR. SEVERAL LOW LYING
            ROADS EXPERIENCING FLASH FLOODING AT THIS TIME.

0335 PM     HEAVY RAIN       HENDERSON               37.84N 87.58W
12/21/2013  M2.14 INCH       HENDERSON          KY   TRAINED SPOTTER

            SINCE 1230 AM CST.

0335 PM     FLASH FLOOD      ARLINGTON               36.79N 89.01W
12/21/2013                   CARLISLE           KY   EMERGENCY MNGR

            STATE ROUT 1820 /YELLOW DOG ROAD/, 80 EAST /WEST END OF
            ARLINGTON/ HAVE WATER OVER THEM. STATE HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT
            HAS BEEN NOTIFIED TO PLACE BARRICADES ON THESE ROADS.
            THESE ROADS ARE USUALLY IMPACTED DURING HEAVY RAIN
            EVENTS. HIGHWAY 62 AT WESTFORK CREEK BOTTOMS /BETWEEN
            CUNNINGHAM AND BARDWELL/HAD WATER OVER ROAD IN
            SPOTS...BUT WAS NOT CLOSED AT THIS TIME /CORRECTION/.
            APPROX. 2.14 INCHES OF RAIN HAVE FALLEN SINCE MIDNIGHT IN
            ARLINGTON.

0335 PM     HEAVY RAIN       5 N WAYSIDE             37.64N 89.08W
12/21/2013  M4.75 INCH       WILLIAMSON         IL   TRAINED SPOTTER

            REPORTED AT DEVILS KITCHEN LAKE.

0335 PM     HEAVY RAIN       PORTAGEVILLE            36.43N 89.70W
12/21/2013  M4.34 INCH       NEW MADRID         MO   TRAINED SPOTTER

            STORM TOTAL SO FAR...WATER STARTING TO COVER STREETS.

0425 PM     HEAVY RAIN       SHAWNEETOWN             37.71N 88.17W
12/21/2013  M5.50 INCH       GALLATIN           IL   TRAINED SPOTTER

            UPDATED STORM TOTAL

0429 PM     FLOOD            POPLAR BLUFF            36.76N 90.41W
12/21/2013                   BUTLER             MO   EMERGENCY MNGR

            PERSONS REMOVED FROM HOME ON WILLOW STREET DUE TO HIGH
            WATER. THIS IS NEAR THE JUNCTION OF BUSINESS ROUTE 60 AND
            67 IN TOWN. REPORTED RELAYED FROM POPLAR BLUFF CITY FIRE
            CHIEF TO EMERGENCY MANAGER.

0430 PM     HEAVY RAIN       NEWBURGH                37.95N 87.40W
12/21/2013  M2.61 INCH       WARRICK            IN   TRAINED SPOTTER

            RAINFALL TOTAL SO FAR APPROXIMATELY 1 MILE WEST OF SHARON
            SCHOOL.

&&

K. SMITH

Local storm report, Dec 21, 4:51 PM CST, 25 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PADUCAH KY
451 PM CST SAT DEC 21 2013

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

0440 PM     FLOOD            4 W POPLAR BLUFF        36.76N 90.48W
12/21/2013                   BUTLER             MO   EMERGENCY MNGR

            BUTLER COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT HAD TO USE A BOAT TO RESCUE
            AN ELDERLY COUPLE FROM A HOME ON COUNTY ROAD 450. WATER
            WAS TOO DEEP FOR FIRE TRUCKS.

&&

K. SMITH

Local storm report, Dec 21, 5:09 PM CST, 7 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PADUCAH KY
509 PM CST SAT DEC 21 2013

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

0505 PM     TSTM WND DMG     BOAZ                    36.89N 88.63W
12/21/2013                   GRAVES             KY   PUBLIC

            POWER OUTAGES

&&

SMITTY

Local storm report, Dec 21, 5:10 PM CST, 6 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PADUCAH KY
510 PM CST SAT DEC 21 2013

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

0505 PM     FLOOD            1 N DIXON SPRINGS       37.40N 88.67W
12/21/2013                   POPE               IL   TRAINED SPOTTER

            STANDING WATER STANDING AT THE INTERSECTION OF HIGHWAY
            145 AND 146.

&&

SMITTY

Local storm report, Dec 21, 5:11 PM CST, 5 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PADUCAH KY
511 PM CST SAT DEC 21 2013

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

0506 PM     HEAVY RAIN       2 S JUNCTION            37.69N 88.24W
12/21/2013  E6.00 INCH       GALLATIN           IL   TRAINED SPOTTER

            STORN TOTAL SO FAR. POWER OUTAGES IN AREA AND SOME SMALL
            LIMBS DOWN.

&&

K. SMITH

The radar

The Paducah radar (KPAH), 39 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 23:17 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

11 thunderstorm wind, 1 hail, 1 tornado. Local standard time, as filed.

Hail, Graves

When: December 21, 5:16 PM CST
Where: Graves County, 4 mi S of Clear Spgs
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 36.772, -88.530

Thunderstorm Wind, Graves

When: December 21, 5:18 PM CST to 5:19 PM CST
Where: Graves County, 2.33 mi ENE of Mayfield Graves Arpt to 2.27 mi WSW of Hicksville
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $3,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 36.777, -88.539

A microburst was oriented in a northeast direction across Kentucky Highway 58, just west of the intersection with Route 301. A trampoline was tossed about 25 yards. Several shingles on the west side of two garages were dislodged. A large dead tree was knocked over. Large tree limbs were down. The damage path width was about 90 yards. The microburst developed along a north to south oriented squall line that moved through eastern Graves County.

Thunderstorm Wind, Calloway

When: December 21, 5:27 PM CST
Where: Calloway County, Coldwater to Kirksey
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $30,000
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 36.650, -88.450

Some minor damage occurred at a house near Coldwater. At a farm near Kirksey, the hood was torn off a tractor, the top was blown out of a cedar tree, and a truck topper was wrapped around a tree.

Tornado, Calloway

When: December 21, 5:31 PM CST to 5:32 PM CST
Where: Calloway County, 1.09 mi S of Wadesboro to 1.16 mi SSE of Wadesboro
Rating: EF0
Path length: 0.33 mi
Path width: 50 yd
Property damage: $2,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 36.734, -88.318

A relatively weak tornado touched down 2 miles west of Dexter in northern Calloway County. The tornado uprooted a couple of trees and downed power lines during its brief touchdown.

Thunderstorm Wind, Calloway

When: December 21, 5:31 PM CST to 5:35 PM CST
Where: Calloway County, 1.78 mi W of Almo to 0.78 mi NNW of Wiswell
Measured: 65 kt (75 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $50,000
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 36.698, -88.302

Several trees were blown down and power poles were snapped. The area of spotty damage extended from U.S. Highway 641 north of Murray to Highway 783 west-southwest of Murray. On U.S. Highway 641 a few miles north of Murray, a trampoline was blown into the middle of the road. Construction barrels were blown over. The peak wind gust at the Murray/Calloway County airport was 67 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind, Marshall

When: December 21, 5:32 PM CST to 5:47 PM CST
Where: Marshall County, 1.48 mi E of Harvy to 1.84 mi ESE of Briensburg
Measured: 63 kt (72 mph) measured gust
Property damage: $38,000
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue
Coordinates: 36.820, -88.393

Strong damaging winds around 70 mph were observed throughout the Benton area. A wind gust to 72 mph was measured at a firefighter's home in Benton. A trained spotter on the west side of town estimated a wind gust to 65 mph. Roof damage was reported to a couple of businesses in Benton. Power lines were blown down near U.S. Highway 641. On U.S. Highway 68 northeast of Benton, large trees were blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Hopkins

When: December 21, 6:05 PM CST
Where: Hopkins County, Beulah to 0.5 mi ESE of Fiddle Bow
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $3,000
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 37.270, -87.680

A secondary road off of Highway 70 was blocked by downed trees and flooding.

Thunderstorm Wind, Trigg

When: December 21, 6:08 PM CST
Where: Trigg County, Montgomery
Measured: 65 kt (75 mph) measured gust
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 36.880, -87.730

A trained spotter measured a wind gust to 75 mph on Interstate 24 near Montgomery, which is near the Cadiz exit. About 1,000 households were without power in Trigg County.

Thunderstorm Wind, McLean

When: December 21, 6:30 PM CST
Where: McLean County, Calhoun
Measured: 65 kt (75 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $80,000
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 37.530, -87.270

The roof of the county high school was partially torn off. The gymnasium sustained major water damage.

Thunderstorm Wind, Daviess

When: December 21, 6:38 PM CST to 6:42 PM CST
Where: Daviess County, Owensboro to Utica
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) measured gust
Property damage: $50,000
Reported by: AWOS
Coordinates: 37.770, -87.120

Trees and power lines were damaged in Owensboro. A barn collapsed near Utica. The peak wind gust at the Owensboro airport was 58 mph. A trained spotter in Utica measured a wind gust to 58 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind, Daviess

When: December 21, 6:50 PM CST
Where: Daviess County, 4 mi SSW of Knottsville to 3 mi SSW of Knottsville
Measured: 65 kt (75 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $50,000
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 37.717, -86.928

One barn was blown off its foundation. The roof was blown off another barn.

Thunderstorm Wind, Christian

When: December 21, 8:05 PM CST to 8:07 PM CST
Where: Christian County, Newstead to Hopkinsville
Measured: 72 kt (83 mph) measured gust
Property damage: $15,000
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 36.800, -87.620

A trained spotter in Hopkinsville measured a wind gust to 83 mph. Other trained spotters measured wind gusts around 60 mph. At the intersection of Highways 117 and 164 in Newstead, the wind gusted to 60 mph. On U.S. Highway 68 West at the Hopkinsville by-pass, a wind gust was measured to 58 mph. About four miles west of Hopkinsville, a new barn sustained damage to the roof and walls. A tree about 18 inches in diameter was uprooted in Hopkinsville.

Thunderstorm Wind, Christian

When: December 21, 8:20 PM CST
Where: Christian County, Pembroke
Measured: 70 kt (81 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $6,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 36.780, -87.350

A section of roofing was removed from an attached garage.

What these are

Hail: Hail three-quarters of an inch or larger, or smaller hail that caused damage, filed with the largest stone measured.
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.
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.

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

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Kentucky in 2013 Every state in 2013 This day in weather history The tornado archive for Kentucky, 2013 Warnings in Kentucky, December 2013

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: 485140, 485052, 485064, 483158, 485069, 485062, 485115, 485113, 485132, 485061, 485138, 485120, 485130.