A stalled frontal boundary across central Kentucky combined with very warm temperatures and high moisture resulted in several rounds of organized strong to severe storms across central Kentucky during the afternoon and evening hours July 5-7. In addition to widespread wind damage, downed trees and power lines, the repeated episodes of heavy rain resulted in flash flooding as well as river…
Every event with a place to put it. Tap one for its entry below.
Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.
The episode as NWS LMK wrote it up.
A stalled frontal boundary across central Kentucky combined with very warm temperatures and high moisture resulted in several rounds of organized strong to severe storms across central Kentucky during the afternoon and evening hours July 5-7. In addition to widespread wind damage, downed trees and power lines, the repeated episodes of heavy rain resulted in flash flooding as well as river flooding across southern Kentucky.
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 5, 6:58 PM CST, 20 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Louisville KY 858 PM EDT TUE JUL 5 2016 ...Forecast Update... Issued at 855 PM EDT Tue Jul 5 2016 Isolated storms have fired up along the KY/TN border from Allen County toward Cumberland County. Very weak steering flow combined with moist air mass characterized by PWATs in the 1.5 to 2.0 inches is making for very efficient heavy rain producers. One particular cluster has stalled across extreme southern Allen. Rain rates have been impressive and dual pol data suggests 2-3" has fallen. Have updated forecast and products to account for thunderstorms and potential for flooding across our southern tier of county. Bumped up POPs across the extreme southern KY near the TN border. .SHORT TERM (Now through Wednesday Night)... Issued at 300 PM EDT Tue Jul 5 2016 The Ohio Valley remains under weak zonal flow aloft, and a warm and moist low-level air mass. The main boundary that forced the weekend storms continues to weaken over the Tennessee Valley, where convection is ongoing again today. Closer to home, scattered showers and storms have developed along another weak boundary from the cave region to around Green River Lake, but with modest instability and weak mid-level flow, these are not strong storms and should fade once the sun sets. By early morning Wednesday, this boundary will start to lift north and will trigger isolated convection. For the afternoon, mid-level flow and instability will increase, supporting more of a damaging wind threat with any diurnal convection, which will be scattered in nature with no real cap. Max temps will push 90, but moisture pooling on the south side of the boundary will result in mid-70s dewpoints, pushing heat indices to 100 or just above. Higher-resolution models point to a MCS developing to our NW and pushing SE across the Ohio Valley during the night. This will bump POPs to likely across southern Indiana and north central Kentucky, and continue the SVR risk into the evening, with damaging wind gusts remaining as the primary threat. .LONG TERM (Thursday through Tuesday)... Issued at 300 PM EDT Tue Jul 5 2016 Tail end of the work week will be characterized by "messy" zonal flow, as weak impulses aloft interact with a ridiculously moist low- level air mass. Heat and oppressive humidity will continue on Thursday, with conditions fairly similar to Wednesday. Diurnal convection warrants solid chance POPs, with the best coverage over the Bluegrass region where the capping will be weakest. Upper low moves into the Great Lakes on Friday, pushing a cold front south into the Ohio Valley. Expect scattered coverage again, but the synoptic-scale forcing will help sustain it into the evening. Plenty of instability and moisture available with easily 3000 J/kg of CAPE and precipitable water approaching 2 inches. Downdraft CAPE will be near 1000 J/kg each day, so even in the absence of strong mid-level flow, wet microbursts will present enough of a severe threat to justify SPC slight risk. Aside from convection, dewpoints in the mid 70s will push heat indices to 100 degrees, perhaps even approaching 105 west of Interstate 65. Weekend forecast will depend on the southward progression of the cold front, which looks to hang up somewhere over the Tennessee Valley as the broad upper trof settles over the Great Lakes. Confidence is limited yet, but the best chance for lower dewpoints and a dry weekend will be in southern Indiana and north of the Western Kentucky and Bluegrass Parkways in Kentucky. Will keep isolated to widely scattered POPs closer to the stalled front. Will return to the dirty upper ridging early next week. && .AVIATION (00Z TAF Update)... Issued at 710 PM EDT Tue Jul 5 2016 Moist low levels and light winds tonight will bring another round of visibility and ceiling restrictions to the TAF sites. Guidance suggests that a 800-1600 ft ceiling may form across the area, particularly from a BWG to LEX line across central Kentucky. Some light MVFR fog may develop as well. Complex of storms across the Upper Midwest this evening may continue to form and dive southeastward toward the area by 12-15z. If it holds together, it could brush SDF/LEX with showers and/or storms. By this point, additional showers/storms may develop across the entire area given the moist, unstable air mass and daytime heating. Went ahead and introduced that idea in the TAF for the afternoon hours. More organized complex of storms may impact the area toward the end of the current of the TAF period. && .LMK Watches/Warnings/Advisories... KY...NONE. IN...NONE. && Update.........ZT Short Term.....RAS Long Term......RAS Aviation.......ZT
HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LOUISVILLE KY 858 PM EDT TUE JUL 5 2016 INZ076>079-083-084-089>092-KYZ023>043-045>049-053>057-061>067-070- 071-070100- ORANGE-WASHINGTON-SCOTT-JEFFERSON-DUBOIS-CRAWFORD-PERRY-HARRISON- FLOYD-CLARK-HANCOCK-BRECKINRIDGE-MEADE-OHIO-GRAYSON-HARDIN-BULLITT- OLDHAM-TRIMBLE-HENRY-SHELBY-FRANKLIN-SPENCER-ANDERSON-WOODFORD- FAYETTE-BOURBON-NICHOLAS-NELSON-MERCER-JESSAMINE-LARUE-MARION-BOYLE- GARRARD-MADISON-BUTLER-EDMONSON-HART-GREEN-TAYLOR-CASEY-LINCOLN- LOGAN-WARREN- INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...PAOLI...SALEM...SCOTTSBURG...MADISON... JASPER...ENGLISH...TELL CITY...CORYDON...NEW ALBANY... JEFFERSONVILLE...LEWISPORT...HAWESVILLE...HARDINSBURG... BRANDENBURG...HARTFORD...LEITCHFIELD...ELIZABETHTOWN... SHEPHERDSVILLE...LOUISVILLE...LA GRANGE...BEDFORD...MILTON... NEW CASTLE...SHELBYVILLE...FRANKFORT...GEORGETOWN...CYNTHIANA... TAYLORSVILLE...LAWRENCEBURG...VERSAILLES...LEXINGTON...PARIS... CARLISLE...BARDSTOWN...SPRINGFIELD...HARRODSBURG...NICHOLASVILLE... WINCHESTER...HODGENVILLE...LEBANON...DANVILLE...LANCASTER... RICHMOND...MORGANTOWN...BROWNSVILLE...HORSE CAVE...GREENSBURG... CAMPBELLSVILLE...LIBERTY...STANFORD...RUSSELLVILLE...BOWLING GREEN 858 PM EDT TUE JUL 5 2016 /758 PM CDT TUE JUL 5 2016/ THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR PORTIONS OF SOUTH CENTRAL INDIANA AND CENTRAL KENTUCKY. .DAY ONE...TONIGHT. NO HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS EXPECTED AT THIS TIME. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...WEDNESDAY THROUGH MONDAY. THUNDERSTORMS ARE POSSIBLE WEDNESDAY THROUGH FRIDAY AS SEVERAL DISTURBANCES MOVE THROUGH A WARM...MOIST ATMOSPHERE. THE BEST CHANCE FOR STRONG STORMS AND DAMAGING WINDS WILL BE WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON AND EVENING...BUT ANY STORM WILL BE CAPABLE OF LOCALLY GUSTY WINDS AND TORRENTIAL RAINFALL. AFTERNOON HEAT INDICES WEDNESDAY THROUGH FRIDAY WILL TOP OUT AROUND 100 DEGREES EACH DAY. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... SPOTTER ACTIVATION WILL NOT BE NEEDED AT THIS TIME. && MORE INFORMATION...ALONG WITH OTHER WEATHER...HYDROLOGICAL AND CLIMATE INFORMATION CAN BE FOUND...AT WEATHER.GOV/LOUISVILLE. KYZ072>078-081-082-070100- SIMPSON-ALLEN-BARREN-MONROE-METCALFE-ADAIR-RUSSELL-CUMBERLAND- CLINTON- INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...FRANKLIN...PROVIDENCE...SCOTTSVILLE... GLASGOW...TOMPKINSVILLE...EDMONTON...COLUMBIA...JAMESTOWN... BURKESVILLE...ALBANY 758 PM CDT TUE JUL 5 2016 THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR PORTIONS OF SOUTH CENTRAL INDIANA AND CENTRAL KENTUCKY. .DAY ONE...TONIGHT. ISOLATED SLOW MOVING THUNDERSTORMS ARE POSSIBLE THROUGH THE OVERNIGHT. LOCALLY HEAVY RAINFALL AND LIGHTNING ARE THE MAIN THREATS. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...WEDNESDAY THROUGH MONDAY. THUNDERSTORMS ARE POSSIBLE WEDNESDAY THROUGH FRIDAY AS SEVERAL DISTURBANCES MOVE THROUGH A WARM...MOIST ATMOSPHERE. THE BEST CHANCE FOR STRONG STORMS AND DAMAGING WINDS WILL BE WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON AND EVENING...BUT ANY STORM WILL BE CAPABLE OF LOCALLY GUSTY WINDS AND TORRENTIAL RAINFALL. AFTERNOON HEAT INDICES WEDNESDAY THROUGH FRIDAY WILL TOP OUT AROUND 100 DEGREES EACH DAY. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... SPOTTER ACTIVATION WILL NOT BE NEEDED AT THIS TIME. && MORE INFORMATION...ALONG WITH OTHER WEATHER...HYDROLOGICAL AND CLIMATE INFORMATION CAN BE FOUND...AT WEATHER.GOV/LOUISVILLE. ZBT
The Nashville radar (KOHX), 52 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 01:18 UTC.
51 thunderstorm wind, 12 flash flood. Local standard time, as filed.
The Allen County emergency manager reported numerous roads under water across southwest Allen County. Many roads were impassable including Stoney Point Road around the Alonzo and Adolphus areas.
A NWS Storm Survey concluded that straight line winds resulted in about a dozen trees damaged and uprooted, including hardwoods such as oak and locust.
Local law enforcement reported numerous large trees and power lines down in the Bowling Green area and across the county.
Local broadcast media reported power outages due to severe thunderstorm winds.
Numerous large trees down in Elizabethtown and Glendale areas due to severe thunderstorm winds.
Local media reported downed trees blocking St John Road.
Local law enforcement reported numerous large trees down across the southern and western portions of the county including the Woodbury area.
Numerous large trees and power lines were reported down in the Chalybeate and Rhoda areas and near the intersection of Highway 101 and Highway 743.
The public reported metal siding and a roof blown off a building near Anna.
The Butler County emergency manager reported numerous large trees down, along with siding and fencing blown down.
A trained spotter reported a 53 knot wind gust along with power outages.
The Edmonson emergency manager reported numerous large trees and power lines down in the area.
Local law enforcement reported numerous large trees and power lines down across the county.
Local law enforcement reported trees down across the county including Turnertown Road and Elliott Road.
The Barren County emergency manager reported several downed trees and a barn blown down.
Local law enforcement reported trees down blocking Shady Lane Church Road.
The local fire department reported a large tree down on a mobile home in Lindseyville.
Local law enforcement reported trees down on Kentucky Highway 61.
The Metcalfe County emergency manager reported numerous large trees down across the county.
Local law enforcement reported a barn fully engulfed in flames due to severe thunderstorm winds.
Local law enforcement reported large limbs across roadways.
The Butler County emergency manager reported 4 to 6 inches of swiftly flowing water across Highway 231 near Woodbury Loop Road.
Excessive rainfall resulted in flooded and impassable roadways near the intersection of Love Brooklyn and Brooklyn roads.
The Butler County emergency manager reported McKendree Chapel Road near Highway 79 as flooded and impassable.
Local law enforcement reported Veterans Memorial underpass at the railroad on Russellville Road as flooded and impassable.
Trained spotters reported numerous roads across the county flooded and impassable.
Local law enforcement reported a vehicle was submerged up to the roof with water on Emerson Bypass due to excessive heavy rainfall. A small house in a valley was flooded. Many roads in the area were closed as a result of the flash flooding.
Kentucky State Police reported several areas on Scottsville Road closed due to flash flooding.
A COOP observer in Logan County reported trees down between Russellville and Adairville due to severe thunderstorm winds.
Local law enforcement reported trees down on a power line blocking Sand Hill Road.
Local law enforcement reported trees and power lines down in multiple locations across the county.
A 52 knot gust was recorded at the Ohio County Kentucky Mesonet station.
A trained spotter reported several large trees down in and around Franklin.
A trained spotter reported a 100 pound roof blown off a livestock building and moved 50 feet. Tree limbs 5 to 6 inches in diameter were down as well.
A trained spotter reported swiftly moving water 3 to 6 inches deep across roadways.
The Butler County emergency manager reported a 52 knot gust as severe thunderstorms moved through the area.
Trained spotters reported large trees down in the area. Also, some county roads were impassable due to high water.
Local law enforcement reported multiple trees and power lines down throughout the county. Many roads were closed due to high water.
Local law enforcement reported 4 bridges closed across the county due to high water flowing over them from excessive heavy rainfall.
Local law enforcement reported trees down in the area.
The public reported large trees snapped in half along Morrison Road.
A trained spotter reported part of a roof blown off a building in Glasgow.
Trained spotters measured a 56 knot gust which brought down numerous large trees in Horse Cave and Munfordville.
Local law enforcement reported trees and power lines down across the county.
An off-duty NWS employee reported trees down across US 62 and Kentucky Highway 84.
Local broadcast media reported a tree snapped in half on Despain Road.
Local law enforcement reported trees down on a structure on Water Street in Greensburg. Other trees were reported down county wide.
An amateur radio operator reported downed trees in the area due to severe thunderstorm winds.
Local law enforcement reported numerous large trees down in the area due to severe thunderstorm winds.
A trained spotter reported power lines down near the Amazon Fulfillment Center.
Local law enforcement reported a tree down off Highway 44 West in the western part of the county.
Officials with Fort Knox reported large trees down across a roadway on base.
A trained spotter reported roof damage to a business in the area from severe thunderstorm winds.
Local law enforcement reported numerous large trees down around the county. Many roads were blocked by downed trees. There was roof damage to a building near the Adair County line.
A trained spotter reported a large tree limb down and damaged a swing set on Blue Hole Road.
The public reported a radio antenna snapped from its base due to severe thunderstorm winds.
Local law enforcement reported multiple trees down across the county.
Local law enforcement reported trees down on Green Acres Road.
Local law enforcement reported trees down on Clifty Creek Road.
Local broadcast media reported a large tree uprooted in the area due to severe thunderstorm winds.
Trained spotters reported a tree snapped near its base, along with large limbs down between Liberty and the Marion County line. Another large tree was blocking Highway 49 northwest of Liberty.
The Simpson County emergency manager reported that Scottsville Road at Highway 100 East was closed due to high water.
The Simpson County emergency manager reported Gold City Road closed by high water.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Kentucky in 2016Every state in 2016This day in weather historyWarnings in Kentucky, July 2016
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: 642180, 642179, 642121, 642141, 642144, 642133, 642119, 642124, 642136, 642138, 642120, 642135, 642126, 642127, 642125, 642130, 642140, 642128, 642139, 642131, 642134, 642181, 642182, 642183, 642184, 642185, 642186, 642187, 642160, 642146, 642145, 642147, 642150, 642175, 642188, 642151, 642152, 642155, 642189, 642172, and more.