A complex of slow moving thunderstorms dropped south from southern Indiana into northern Kentucky during the pre-dawn hours Sunday, July 12th. A narrow swath of 2 to locally 5 inches of rain fell from the Louisville metro east/southeastward resulting in some major flash flooding.
Every event with a place to put it. Tap one for its entry below.
Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.
The episode as NWS LMK wrote it up.
A complex of slow moving thunderstorms dropped south from southern Indiana into northern Kentucky during the pre-dawn hours Sunday, July 12th. A narrow swath of 2 to locally 5 inches of rain fell from the Louisville metro east/southeastward resulting in some major flash flooding. Approximately 25 water rescues occurred in the Louisville metro during the morning hours. Many roads became impassable as rivers and streams rose out of their banks. Later that afternoon and evening, isolated to scattered thunderstorms developed across the Bluegrass region and produced flash flooding, damaging winds and some large hail.
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 Jul 12, 5:53 AM EST, 7 minutes earlier.
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LOUISVILLE KY 653 AM EDT Sun Jul 12 2015 ...Updated Aviation Discussion... .SHORT TERM (Now through Monday Night)... Issued at 323 AM EDT Sun Jul 12 2015 ...Multiple Rounds of Storms. Flooding and Severe Threat Likely... The upper pattern will be characterized by a strong upper ridge over the western CONUS and continually reinforced troughing over the NE CONUS through the short term. This setup will leave the Ohio River Valley situated in the NW flow aloft between the two upper features, with several disturbances diving through the stronger flow. Given strong to extreme instability developing on the periphery of the upper ridge and the forcing/triggering from individual perturbations in the NW flow, several rounds of strong and severe storms are expected. The strongest storms are expected later Monday evening, where a widespread heavy rainfall and damaging wind event is possible. In fact, all severe weather modes are on the table through the short term. Today and Tonight... The first round of scattered to numerous showers and storms are expected this morning as redevelopment occurs. An MCV evident on mosaic radar over central IN and an associated surface low over eastern IL will slide SE along a stalled frontal boundary bisecting our CWA through the morning, helping to provide focus (subtle LLJ response) for shower/storm development. Some of these storms may be strong with gusty winds and heavy rainfall being the main threats. Best coverage looks to be along and north of I-64 through the morning into midday, before the complex moves south and east out of our region. Expect a relative lull through the late morning and early afternoon hours as the atmosphere destabilizes. Scattered to numerous thunderstorms are then expected to re-develop along residual outflow boundaries/differential heating and the main synoptic front still situated mainly across our NE CWA. Strong instability underneath 30-35 knots of 0-6 km shear will be supportive of some organization with multicell cluster and mini bowing segments. Orientation of storm development/movement may also lead to some training of heavy rain producing storms. So, main threats will be localized hydro concerns and damaging winds. One Note...Storms this afternoon are conditional upon clearing out and being able to re-destabilize. Expect coverage of storms to diminish through the late evening hours into the overnight as triggering is lost and brief upper ridging looks to develop over the area. Deterministic models keep an active overnight, but am leaning toward the "quieter" hi res consensus at this time given the lack of a defined trigger. Look for highs west of I-65 in the upper 80s and low 90s, with highs in the east confined to the mid 80s under better storm coverage. Heat indices will approach 100 in the west as hot temps combine with dew points above 70 F. Monday - Monday Night... ...Significant Weather Event Possible... Data continues to suggest that a significant severe weather event will be possible across the entire CWA Monday evening into Monday night. As was stated in the previous discussion, NW flow MCS activity can be tricky as models tend to struggle with timing of individual disturbances and their interaction with strong/extreme instability. Nevertheless, something has to give between this instability on the periphery of the upper ridge and what appears to be a strong disturbance diving through the flow. Unfortunately, our region has s good shot of being in the thick of things. The latest Day 2 SPC outlook reflects this threat with a Moderate Risk. Setup will continue to be characterized by NW flow aloft with a likely stalled frontal boundary bisecting our CWA from NW to SE. Strong/extreme instability will develop due to steepening mid level lapse rates over top of surface heating and dewpoints over 70 F. These ingredients combined with 40-50 knots of 0-6 km bulk shear will support an organized MCS developing upstream and moving into our area through the evening/overnight. Veering wind profiles would also support some supercells most likely across our NE and in vicinity of any localized differential heating boundaries. Like the 12/00Z NAM solution of complex developing upstream and then bowing out across our CWA as organized convection develops a cold pool and then follows the instability gradient southward. This solution seems to fit the given pattern/setup. Bottom line is that all severe modes, including Flash Flooding, will be on the table Monday evening into Monday night. Will be issuing a "heads-up" Special Weather Statement in anticipation of the potential hazards Monday evening. An eventual Flash Flood Watch will probably be needed, but chose to hold off given the uncertainty of MCS activity and the relative lull between today's scattered/progressive activity and tomorrow's potential event. .LONG TERM (Tuesday through Sunday)... Issued at 300 AM EDT Sun Jul 12 2015 Main highlights in the long term are 1) severe storm chances Tuesday 2) precipitation chances mid/late week and 3) heat/humidity. The synoptic pattern Tuesday is expected to feature the upper ridge centered over Texas with a potent shortwave trough rotating through the lower Great Lakes. At the surface, outflow boundaries and/or washed out fronts are likely to be in place from Monday night's severe storms /see above/ across the area. Given the fast mid/upper level flow and approaching shortwave trough, there is good consensus that we'll rapidly clear out and destabilize during the late morning hours. The environment when the shortwave trough arrives during the afternoon should be characterized by 2000-3000 J/kg of SBCAPE and deep layer shear of 40 kts. Another round of strong to severe storms are expected with damaging winds the main threat. Flash flooding may become a concern as well if we see repeated rounds over the same here. Regardless the the air mass will be supportive of efficient rain producing thunderstorms. Placement remains the biggest question, but 12.00z guidance hints that storms may initiate across central to south-central Kentucky first, then move east/southeast. If this scenario pans out, southern Indiana may not see as much of a threat. Again, what happens Tuesday will be dictated on what ultimately happens Monday night, so have kept higher POPs for most of the area. While we'll remain in northwesterly to zonal flow aloft Wednesday through Friday, at this time there's not a strong signal for any significant shortwave to move through, so precipitation chances will be mainly in the 20-30 percent range. In fact, some areas could see a few dry days. Though, that will allow the heat/humidity to build and highs are expected to gradually increase during the week into the low/mid 90s. This is especially true for the south/southwest areas where mid-90s are looking more likely. Add in 70-73F dewpoints and peak heat indices in the afternoon will approach 100 to 103F. Next weekend, forecast models show the upper ridge over the southern Plains with periodic shortwaves coming out of the northern Plains into the Great Lakes region. Still some uncertainty in how strong the ridge is and whether the lower Ohio Valley will remain on the periphery. For now, a model consensus of chance POPs with highs at or slightly above normal look good. If the ridge wins out, plan on heat/humidity to be the main story but if it breaks down some, then more rounds of storms would be the threat across the area. && .AVIATION (12Z TAF Update)... Updated 653 AM EDT Sun Jul 12 2015 A convective complex is sliding along and north of the I-64 corridor, impacting SDF/LEX. Expect that coverage of showers/t-storms will be scattered at SDF at new TAF issuance, but coverage should be high enough to include a TEMPO for brief IFR visibility drop. LEX will likely see heavy t-storms at the start of issuance time so will be more pessimistic through the whole morning. BWG should only see iso-sct coverage. Expect a lull through the late morning and early afternoon, and then there is question as to whether we will destabiliize for more afternoon/evening t-storms. If this occurs, it will be most likely at LEX, where storms will be possible for much of the overnight. Too much uncertainty at SDF to go with more than VCTS. BWG stands the best shot at staying dry. Expect winds to mainly prevail out of the WSW and W today around 10 mph. && .LMK WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... KY...NONE. IN...NONE. && Short Term........BJS Long Term.........ZT Aviation..........BJS
HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LOUISVILLE KY 347 AM EDT SUN JUL 12 2015 INZ076>079-083-084-089>092-KYZ023>043-045>049-053>057-061>067- 070>078-081-082-130800- 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- INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...PAOLI...SALEM...SCOTTSBURG...MADISON... JASPER...MARENGO...TELL CITY...CORYDON...NEW ALBANY... JEFFERSONVILLE...HAWESVILLE...HARDINSBURG...BRANDENBURG... BEAVER DAM...LEITCHFIELD...ELIZABETHTOWN...FORT KNOX... MOUNT WASHINGTON...SHEPHERDSVILLE...LOUISVILLE...LA GRANGE... BEDFORD...NEW CASTLE...SHELBYVILLE...FRANKFORT...GEORGETOWN... CYNTHIANA...TAYLORSVILLE...LAWRENCEBURG...VERSAILLES...LEXINGTON... PARIS...CARLISLE...BARDSTOWN...SPRINGFIELD...HARRODSBURG... NICHOLASVILLE...WINCHESTER...HODGENVILLE...LEBANON...DANVILLE... LANCASTER...RICHMOND...MORGANTOWN...BROWNSVILLE...MUNFORDVILLE... GREENSBURG...CAMPBELLSVILLE...LIBERTY...STANFORD...RUSSELLVILLE... BOWLING GREEN...FRANKLIN...SCOTTSVILLE...GLASGOW...TOMPKINSVILLE... EDMONTON...COLUMBIA...JAMESTOWN...BURKESVILLE...ALBANY 347 AM EDT SUN JUL 12 2015 /247 AM CDT SUN JUL 12 2015/ THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR PORTIONS OF SOUTH CENTRAL INDIANA AND CENTRAL KENTUCKY. .DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT. SCATTERED TO NUMEROUS THUNDERSTORMS ARE EXPECTED TO DEVELOP AND MOVE ACROSS SOUTHERN INDIANA AND CENTRAL KENTUCKY THIS MORNING. A FEW OF THE STORMS MAY BE ON THE STRONG SIDE WITH GUSTY WINDS AND TORRENTIAL RAINFALL BEING THE MAIN THREATS. SCATTERED THUNDERSTORMS ARE EXPECTED TO REDEVELOP THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING. THE STRONGEST STORMS WILL COME WITH A THREAT OF LOCALLY INTENSE RAINFALL...EXCESSIVE CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING...AND ISOLATED INSTANCES OF DAMAGING WINDS. HEAT INDICES MAY RISE TO NEAR 100 DEGREES THIS AFTERNOON ACROSS WEST CENTRAL KY. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY. STRONG TO SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS WILL CONTINUE TO BE POSSIBLE DURING THE MONDAY THROUGH TUESDAY EVENING TIME FRAME WITH DAMAGING WINDS...LARGE HAIL AND TORRENTIAL RAINFALL BEING THE PRIMARY WEATHER HAZARDS. AN ISOLATED TORNADO WILL ALSO BE POSSIBLE. GIVEN ALREADY WET GROUNDS FROM RECENT HEAVY RAINFALL...FLASH FLOODING WILL BE A CONCERN WITH EACH ROUND OF STORMS. ISOLATED TO SCATTERED STORMS WILL BE POSSIBLE WEDNESDAY THROUGH SATURDAY. NO ORGANIZED SEVERE WEATHER IS EXPECTED FOR THE LATTER HALF OF THE WEEK. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... SPOTTER ACTIVATION WILL LIKELY BE REQUIRED SUNDAY THROUGH TUESDAY EVENING. && MORE INFORMATION...ALONG WITH OTHER WEATHER...HYDROLOGICAL AND CLIMATE INFORMATION CAN BE FOUND...AT WEATHER.GOV/LOUISVILLE. BJS/ZBT
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LOUISVILLE KY 404 AM EDT SUN JUL 12 2015 INZ076>079-083-084-089>092-KYZ023>043-045>049-053>057-061>067- 070>078-081-082-121630- 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- INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...PAOLI...SALEM...SCOTTSBURG...MADISON... JASPER...MARENGO...TELL CITY...CORYDON...NEW ALBANY... JEFFERSONVILLE...HAWESVILLE...HARDINSBURG...BRANDENBURG... BEAVER DAM...LEITCHFIELD...ELIZABETHTOWN...FORT KNOX... MOUNT WASHINGTON...SHEPHERDSVILLE...LOUISVILLE...LA GRANGE... BEDFORD...NEW CASTLE...SHELBYVILLE...FRANKFORT...GEORGETOWN... CYNTHIANA...TAYLORSVILLE...LAWRENCEBURG...VERSAILLES... LEXINGTON...PARIS...CARLISLE...BARDSTOWN...SPRINGFIELD... HARRODSBURG...NICHOLASVILLE...WINCHESTER...HODGENVILLE... LEBANON...DANVILLE...LANCASTER...RICHMOND...MORGANTOWN... BROWNSVILLE...MUNFORDVILLE...GREENSBURG...CAMPBELLSVILLE... LIBERTY...STANFORD...RUSSELLVILLE...BOWLING GREEN...FRANKLIN... SCOTTSVILLE...GLASGOW...TOMPKINSVILLE...EDMONTON...COLUMBIA... JAMESTOWN...BURKESVILLE...ALBANY 404 AM EDT SUN JUL 12 2015 /304 AM CDT SUN JUL 12 2015/ ...A FEW ROUNDS OF HEAVY RAIN AND SEVERE WEATHER POSSIBLE THROUGH TUESDAY EVENING... AN ACTIVE PERIOD OF WEATHER IS SETTING UP FOR TODAY AND INTO THE FIRST PART OF THE NEW WEEK...WITH A FEW ROUNDS OF SEVERE WEATHER AND HEAVY RAINFALL ANTICIPATED. THE FIRST ROUNDS OF STORMS WILL OCCUR THIS MORNING AND AGAIN THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING WHERE GUSTY WINDS AND LOCALLY HEAVY RAINFALL ARE EXPECTED. ISOLATED INSTANCES OF DAMAGING WINDS AND TORRENTIAL RAIN WILL BE POSSIBLE. THE STRONGEST STORMS ARE EXPECTED MONDAY AFTERNOON AND EVENING WHERE A MORE WIDESPREAD THREAT OF SEVERE WEATHER WILL BE POSSIBLE...INCLUDING FLASH FLOODING...DAMAGING WINDS...LARGE HAIL...AND ISOLATED TORNADOES. EXCESSIVE LIGHTNING IS ALSO LIKELY WITH STORMS. A FINAL ROUND OF STRONG OR SEVERE STORMS IS AGAIN POSSIBLE ON TUESDAY WITH SIMILAR THREATS TO MONDAY. STAY UP TO DATE OF THE LATEST FORECASTS AS SEVERE WEATHER AND FLOODING WATCH/WARNING PRODUCTS MAY BE NEEDED OVER THE NEXT FEW DAYS. BJS
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LOUISVILLE KY
451 AM EDT SUN JUL 12 2015
INZ077>079-092-KYZ032-033-120950-
CLARK IN-HENRY KY-JEFFERSON IN-SCOTT IN-TRIMBLE KY-WASHINGTON IN-
451 AM EDT SUN JUL 12 2015
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WITH DANGEROUS LIGHTNING...TORRENTIAL RAIN...
AND 40 MPH WINDS...
AT 448 AM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR WAS TRACKING
STRONG THUNDERSTORMS ALONG A LINE EXTENDING FROM 12 MILES EAST OF
VERNON TO 7 MILES SOUTH OF VERNON TO 9 MILES SOUTHWEST OF
BROWNSTOWN...AND MOVING SOUTHEAST AT 35 MPH.
FREQUENT CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING...TORRENTIAL RAIN REDUCING
VISIBILITIES...AND GUSTY WINDS OF AROUND 35 TO 40 MPH...ARE EXPECTED
WITH THESE STORMS.
* THESE STORMS WILL ALSO IMPACT...
BEDFORD...
SCOTTSBURG...
MADISON...
BRYANTSBURG AND AUSTIN...
PUMPKIN CENTER AND MADISON MUNICIPAL AIRPORT...
LITTLE YORK AND RINGWALD...
MILTON AND HANOVER BEACH...
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
TORRENTIAL RAINFALL IS OCCURRING. EXPECT PONDING OF WATER ON LOCAL
ROADWAYS. DRIVERS SHOULD SLOW DOWN AND TURN ON THEIR HEADLIGHTS IF
ENCOUNTERING HEAVY RAINS.
IF YOU ARE IN THE PATH OF THESE STORMS...SEEK SHELTER INDOORS AND
STAY AWAY FROM WINDOWS. STAY TUNED TO NOAA ALL HAZARDS RADIO...
WEATHER.GOV/LOUISVILLE ON THE INTERNET...OR LOCAL MEDIA FOR LATER
UPDATES AND POSSIBLE WARNINGS.
&&
LAT...LON 3869 8519 3874 8526 3873 8532 3859 8521
3859 8507 3855 8516 3851 8537 3852 8544
3849 8548 3845 8567 3877 8613 3879 8608
3876 8590 3873 8588 3881 8579 3883 8573
3883 8562 3892 8554 3892 8521
TIME...MOT...LOC 0851Z 322DEG 31KT 3903 8538 3887 8557
3880 8618
ZTSPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LOUISVILLE KY
550 AM EDT SUN JUL 12 2015
INZ077>079-092-KYZ031>034-121050-
CLARK IN-HENRY KY-JEFFERSON IN-OLDHAM KY-SCOTT IN-SHELBY KY-TRIMBLE
KY-WASHINGTON IN-
550 AM EDT SUN JUL 12 2015
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WITH DANGEROUS LIGHTNING...TORRENTIAL RAIN...
AND 40 MPH WINDS...
AT 548 AM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR WAS TRACKING
STRONG THUNDERSTORMS ALONG A LINE EXTENDING FROM WARSAW TO 9 MILES
NORTHWEST OF LA GRANGE TO 13 MILES SOUTHEAST OF BEDFORD...AND MOVING
SOUTHEAST AT 40 MPH.
FREQUENT CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING...TORRENTIAL RAIN REDUCING
VISIBILITIES...AND GUSTY WINDS OF AROUND 35 TO 40 MPH...ARE EXPECTED
WITH THESE STORMS.
* THESE STORMS WILL ALSO IMPACT...
NEW CASTLE...
LA GRANGE...
BEDFORD...
SALEM...
PROVIDENCE AND RUSSELL CORNER...
PENDLETON AND CEDAR POINT...
TARASCON AND LIRO...
PARK LAKE AND DELVILLE...
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
TORRENTIAL RAINFALL IS OCCURRING. EXPECT PONDING OF WATER ON LOCAL
ROADWAYS. DRIVERS SHOULD SLOW DOWN AND TURN ON THEIR HEADLIGHTS IF
ENCOUNTERING HEAVY RAINS.
IF YOU ARE IN THE PATH OF THESE STORMS...SEEK SHELTER INDOORS AND
STAY AWAY FROM WINDOWS. STAY TUNED TO NOAA ALL HAZARDS RADIO...
WEATHER.GOV/LOUISVILLE ON THE INTERNET...OR LOCAL MEDIA FOR LATER
UPDATES AND POSSIBLE WARNINGS.
&&
LAT...LON 3857 8554 3871 8531 3869 8526 3874 8525
3877 8520 3869 8519 3868 8528 3859 8521
3860 8508 3857 8501 3851 8502 3852 8498
3849 8499 3846 8490 3844 8492 3840 8488
3828 8531 3843 8589 3873 8631 3878 8626
TIME...MOT...LOC 0950Z 327DEG 35KT 3879 8496 3848 8549
3871 8629
ZTSPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LOUISVILLE KY
612 AM EDT SUN JUL 12 2015
INZ090>092-KYZ029>031-033-034-121055-
BULLITT KY-CLARK IN-FLOYD IN-HARRISON IN-HENRY KY-JEFFERSON KY-OLDHAM
KY-SHELBY KY-
612 AM EDT SUN JUL 12 2015
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WITH DANGEROUS LIGHTNING...TORRENTIAL RAIN...
AND 30 MPH WINDS...
AT 609 AM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR WAS TRACKING
STRONG THUNDERSTORMS ALONG A LINE EXTENDING FROM PROSPECT TO NEW
ALBANY TO 5 MILES SOUTH OF CORYDON...AND MOVING EAST AT 30 MPH.
FREQUENT CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING...TORRENTIAL RAIN REDUCING
VISIBILITIES...AND GUSTY WINDS OF AROUND 35 TO 40 MPH...ARE EXPECTED
WITH THESE STORMS.
* THESE STORMS WILL ALSO IMPACT...
VALLEY STATION...
ST. MATTHEWS...
SHIVELY...
PROSPECT...
PLEASURE RIDGE PARK...
DEMPLYTOWN AND BUCKNER...
LOUISVILLE BOWMAN FIELD AND PARK LAKE...
BALLARDSVILLE AND LIRO...
JERICHO AND TARASCON...
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
TORRENTIAL RAINFALL IS OCCURRING. EXPECT PONDING OF WATER ON LOCAL
ROADWAYS. DRIVERS SHOULD SLOW DOWN AND TURN ON THEIR HEADLIGHTS IF
ENCOUNTERING HEAVY RAINS.
IF YOU ARE IN THE PATH OF THESE STORMS...SEEK SHELTER INDOORS AND
STAY AWAY FROM WINDOWS. STAY TUNED TO NOAA ALL HAZARDS RADIO...
WEATHER.GOV/LOUISVILLE ON THE INTERNET...OR LOCAL MEDIA FOR LATER
UPDATES AND POSSIBLE WARNINGS.
&&
LAT...LON 3836 8503 3818 8537 3802 8583 3811 8628
3815 8628 3828 8588 3846 8555
TIME...MOT...LOC 1012Z 284DEG 26KT 3839 8553 3825 8577
3814 8612
ZTSPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LOUISVILLE KY
652 AM EDT SUN JUL 12 2015
INZ091-092-KYZ029>043-045>049-055-056-121220-
ANDERSON KY-BOURBON KY-BOYLE KY-BULLITT KY-CLARK KY-CLARK IN-FAYETTE
KY-FLOYD IN-FRANKLIN KY-GARRARD KY-HARRISON KY-HENRY KY-JEFFERSON
KY-JESSAMINE KY-MERCER KY-NELSON KY-NICHOLAS KY-OLDHAM KY-SCOTT
KY-SHELBY KY-SPENCER KY-TRIMBLE KY-WASHINGTON KY-WOODFORD KY-
652 AM EDT SUN JUL 12 2015
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WITH DANGEROUS LIGHTNING...TORRENTIAL RAIN...
AND 30 TO 40 MPH WINDS...
AT 649 AM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR WAS TRACKING
STRONG THUNDERSTORMS ALONG A LINE EXTENDING FROM 11 MILES NORTH OF
FRANKFORT TO SHELBYVILLE TO HIGHVIEW...AND MOVING SOUTHEAST AT 30
MPH.
FREQUENT CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING...TORRENTIAL RAIN REDUCING
VISIBILITIES...AND GUSTY WINDS OF 30 TO 40 MPH...ARE EXPECTED WITH
THESE STORMS.
* THESE STORMS WILL ALSO IMPACT...
GEORGETOWN...
LEXINGTON...
VALLEY STATION...
ST. MATTHEWS...
SHIVELY...
ELMVILLE AND WHITFIELD...
MINORSVILLE AND SUTERVILLE...
LONGLICK AND LENORE...
SKINNERSBURG AND BIDDLE...
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
TORRENTIAL RAINFALL IS OCCURRING. EXPECT PONDING OF WATER ON LOCAL
ROADWAYS. DRIVERS SHOULD SLOW DOWN AND TURN ON THEIR HEADLIGHTS IF
ENCOUNTERING HEAVY RAINS.
IF YOU ARE IN THE PATH OF THESE STORMS...SEEK SHELTER INDOORS AND
STAY AWAY FROM WINDOWS. STAY TUNED TO NOAA ALL HAZARDS RADIO...
WEATHER.GOV/LOUISVILLE ON THE INTERNET...OR LOCAL MEDIA FOR LATER
UPDATES AND POSSIBLE WARNINGS.
&&
LAT...LON 3812 8407 3802 8402 3788 8435 3790 8438
3787 8437 3785 8448 3767 8487 3803 8590
3818 8590 3819 8594 3824 8596 3845 8559
3859 8516 3856 8500 3851 8502 3846 8490
3836 8485 3835 8475 3852 8450 3822 8394
TIME...MOT...LOC 1052Z 294DEG 27KT 3835 8484 3822 8527
3808 8563
ZTThe Louisville radar (KLVX), 87 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 10:57 UTC.
17 flash flood, 6 thunderstorm wind, 3 heavy rain, 2 hail. Local standard time, as filed.
A Trimble County law enforcement official reported high water and flooded sections on parts of Highway 42 and Highway 421. Rainfall amounts were between 2 and 3 inches.
A law enforcement official reported excessive rainfall and intense rain rates caused flooding to occur on Mellwood Avenue near Zorn Avenue. Between 3 and 6 inches of rain fell in a 3 hour period across much of eastern Jefferson County.
A public report was received of high water on side roads and streets. Between 3 and 4 inches of rain fell across much of central and western Oldham County.
A law enforcement official reported that excessive rainfall and flash flooding impacted numerous roads in Taylorsville. The high water also was flooding parts of some homes in the area. Approximately 4 inches of rain fell across the region in a 2 to 3 hour period.
A broadcast meteorologist relayed a report of numerous and widespread street flooding across eastern Louisville metro. Between 3 and 5 inches of rain fell in a 3 hour period.
A law enforcement official reported high water and flash flooding over parts of Highway 22 in Oldham County.
A broadcast meteorologist relayed a report of high water and flash flooding in the Windy Hills neighborhood in eastern Louisville metro. Between 3 and 5 inches of rain fell in a 3 hour period. Approximately 25 water rescues occurred in Jefferson County during that morning.
A public report was received of widespread street flooding in the Douglass Hills neighborhood of eastern Louisville metro. Between 3 and 5 inches of rain fell in a 3 hour period.
A public report of 4.0 inches of rain was relayed to the NWS.
Public reports continued to identify numerous locations of street flooding and impassable roadways across eastern Louisville metro. Social media pictures confirmed many cars partially submerged in high water near the Oxmoor Mall area. Between 3 and 5 inches of rain fell in a 3 hour period. Approximately 25 water rescues took place across the county during that morning.
A public report was received of side street flooding as a result of 3 to 5 inches of rain falling in a 3 hour period.
A public report was received of flash flooding and impassable roadways as a result of excessive rainfall. Totals ranged from 3 to 5 inches in a short 3 hour period. Numerous water rescues were performed across the area.
A report of 5.21 of rain was received, which fell over a 4 hour period.
A law enforcement official reported widespread flash flooding and numerous street flooding in the city of Shelbyville. Officers also reported many other street closures due to high water. Between 3 and 4 inches of rain fell across the western and southern part of Shelby County.
A public report was received of flash flooding and widespread side street flooding due to excessive rainfall. Between 1 and 3 inches of rain fell across central and eastern Bullitt County in a 3 hour period.
A public report was received of flash flooding on South Shelby Street in Louisville as a result of excessive rainfall and intense rain rates. Between 3 and 5 inches of rain fell in a 3 hour period.
A public report was received of flash flooding on Dutchman's Lane in Louisville. Between 3 and 5 inches of rain fell during the morning hours.
An off duty NWS employee reported 3.58 of rain.
The Boyle County emergency manager reported that Craintown Road was closed due to flash flooding. Nearby fields had extensive field flooding. Between 3 and 4 inches of rain fell during the day from slow moving thunderstorms.
A trained spotter reported that a tree fell down across Sportsman Lake Road due to severe thunderstorm winds.
A Kentucky state official reported that numerous trees and power lines were down across eastern Woodford County, east and southeast of Versailles.
A Kentucky state official reported that several large trees and power lines were down in the Pinckard area.
A trained spotter reported nickel size hail in the area.
A trained spotter reported hail 1 inch in diameter.
The Jessamine County emergency manager reported that several trees fell down across western Jessamine County from severe thunderstorm winds.
A Kentucky state official reported that numerous trees were down in the northwest part of Garrard County due to severe thunderstorm winds.
A broadcast meteorologist relayed a report that Paper Mill Road was severely flooded and impassable due to excessive rainfall. Between 2 and 3 inches of rain fell from thunderstorms in the area.
The Lincoln County emergency manager reported trees down in the city and that a tin roof was blown off a home due to severe thunderstorm winds.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Kentucky in 2015Every state in 2015This day in weather historyWarnings in Kentucky, July 2015
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: 581785, 581787, 581788, 581789, 581791, 581793, 581797, 581799, 581825, 581801, 581802, 581805, 581826, 581809, 581811, 581812, 581815, 581827, 581828, 581830, 581831, 581833, 581835, 581837, 581846, 581847, 581848, 581849.