Numerous thunderstorms developed this morning and early afternoon. Training and repeated rounds of rainfall over the same areas led to many reports of flash flooding across portions of Perry, Pike, and Floyd Counties.
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 JKL wrote it up.
Numerous thunderstorms developed this morning and early afternoon. Training and repeated rounds of rainfall over the same areas led to many reports of flash flooding across portions of Perry, Pike, and Floyd Counties. Later into the evening, a complex of storms moved southeast into eastern Kentucky. These storms produced several reports of damaging wind gusts along with an isolated report of large hail, up to the size of golf balls. Additionally, a funnel cloud was spotted southwest of Waltz in Rowan County.
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 Jackson, KY wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at May 19, 7:13 AM EST, 42 minutes earlier.
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION...UPDATED National Weather Service Jackson KY 813 AM EDT Fri May 19 2017 .UPDATE... Issued at 813 AM EDT FRI MAY 19 2017 Scattered showers and thunderstorms have developed and are mainly moving off to the east, affecting locations mainly south of the Mountain Parkway. This activity should diminish towards the late morning hours, as forcing relaxes. There is some question as to the potential of redevelopment during peak heating. The latest HRRR suggests another more organized batch of convection to move in from central Kentucky, so will leave in the current uptick in convection later in the day. && .SHORT TERM...(Today through Saturday) Issued at 353 AM EDT FRI MAY 19 2017 The latest surface map features retreating high pressure off of the Carolina Coast, with a quasi-stationary front aligned from the Ohio Valley to the southern Plains. Aloft, a high pressure ridge remains poised across the Gulf of Mexico, with an upper level low spiraling near the Four Corners region. Moisture has been on the increase across eastern Kentucky, with temperatures running several degrees warmer in the cooler valleys compared to this time yesterday. The models are in good agreement through the short term, with the upper level low gradually shifting to the east through the first half of the weekend. For eastern Kentucky, a continuation of well above normal temperatures as well as the threat of some scattered convection will be the rule. For today, a subtle short wave trough will bring enough forcing to allow for some scattered convection through this morning. Once this feature exits by early this afternoon, there may be a lull in the activity, before a slight uptick occurs late in the day, with peaking heating. Temperatures today will top out in the low to mid 80s. Expect convection to die off quickly this evening, with perhaps another slight increase in coverage near and north of the Mountain Parkway towards dawn once again, as a warm front develops to our west and northwest. Lows will be in the low to mid 60s. On Saturday, POPs will likely be less, as the upper level ridge reasserts itself, and flow backs at the low levels. The latest NAM and CAMs support this scenario. As such, have undercut the blended POPs and gone with warmer highs. Temperatures will rebound to the mid to upper 80s, perhaps threatening a few record highs. .LONG TERM...(Saturday night through Thursday) Issued at 330 AM EDT FRI MAY 19 2017 The period will be met with upper level ridge breaking down and heights gradually falling, as an upper level low ejects into the upper Midwest. At the surface, an area of low pressure will eject with the upper low and a trailing cold front will begin to march east. This will spread rain showers and thunderstorms east into the region early Sunday morning into Sunday night. Main concern will be for some of these storms could bring brief heavy rainfall given the higher PWAT values and fairly high freezing levels. Otherwise storms should be tame given the lack of shear based on the forecast soundings. In the wake of the front a surface high will progress east as heights continue to decline. This will bring drying conditions to the region and probably some ridge/valley splits on Monday night into Tuesday morning. The models do begin to diverge some as we move through the remainder of the forecast period. However, the latest ECMWF seems to be leaning toward the 00Z GFS. A deep upper low is expected to form in the Upper Midwest and this will progress east. The base of this trough will swing through the region by late in the period. That said, a front will progress through the region Late Tuesday into Wednesday. Given the timing remains more uncertain on this trough and how it will evolve will lean closely to the blended POPs for now. Despite the uncertainties the amplitude of the trough will bring temperatures down near and even below normal for this time of year by the end of the week, with afternoon highs remaining in the upper 60s Wednesday into Thursday. The CIPS analog and CPC also show this in the 6 to 10 day temperature outlooks. && .AVIATION...(For the 12Z TAFS through 12Z Saturday morning) ISSUED AT 813 AM EDT FRI MAY 19 2017 A passing short wave trough will continue to allow for scattered convection across southeastern Kentucky through 16z. This will bring MVFR to IFR conditions across locations directly in the path of showers and thunderstorms. The convective coverage will likely diminish into early this afternoon, with some storms possibly redeveloping late in the day, before diminishing once again this evening. Winds will remain light and variable through this morning, before becoming southwest at 5 to 10 kts during the afternoon hours. && .JKL WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... NONE. && UPDATE...GEOGERIAN SHORT TERM...GEOGERIAN LONG TERM...DJ AVIATION...GEOGERIAN
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Jackson KY 411 AM EDT Fri May 19 2017 KYZ044-050>052-058>060-068-069-079-080-083>088-104-106>120-201100- Fleming-Montgomery-Bath-Rowan-Estill-Powell-Menifee-Rockcastle- Jackson-Pulaski-Laurel-Wayne-McCreary-Whitley-Knox-Bell-Harlan- Elliott-Morgan-Johnson-Wolfe-Magoffin-Floyd-Lee-Breathitt-Knott- Owsley-Perry-Clay-Leslie-Letcher-Martin-Pike- Including the cities of Flemingsburg, Camargo, Jeffersonville, Mount Sterling, Owingsville, Morehead, Irvine, Ravenna, Clay City, Stanton, Frenchburg, Brodhead, Mount Vernon, McKee, Annville, Burnside, Somerset, London, Monticello, Stearns, Whitley City, Corbin, Williamsburg, Barbourville, Middlesboro, Pineville, Cumberland, Harlan, Sandy Hook, West Liberty, Paintsville, Campton, Salyersville, Prestonsburg, Wheelwright, Beattyville, Jackson, Hindman, Pippa Passes, Booneville, Hazard, Manchester, Hyden, Jenkins, Whitesburg, Inez, Coal Run, Elkhorn City, Pikeville, and South Williamson 411 AM EDT Fri May 19 2017 This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of eastern Kentucky. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight. Isolated to scattered thunderstorms are expected through early this evening. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday. Thunderstorms will be possible at times from Saturday through early Monday morning, and from Tuesday through Wednesday. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not anticipated. GEOGERIAN
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service JACKSON KY 701 AM EDT FRI MAY 19 2017 KYZ107-109-110-112-191130- Breathitt-Floyd-Johnson-Magoffin- 701 AM EDT FRI MAY 19 2017 ...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT SOUTHERN JOHNSON...NORTHERN FLOYD...NORTHEASTERN BREATHITT AND CENTRAL MAGOFFIN COUNTIES... At 701 AM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located over Tiptop, or 8 miles south of Salyersville, moving east at 35 mph. Winds in excess of 40 mph and small hail are possible with this storm. Locations impacted include... Paintsville, Prestonsburg, Salyersville, Mason, Martin, Allen, Fredville, Oaklawn Estates, Bammer, Fitz, Gunlock, Lancer, Carver, Daisydell, Burning Fork, Meally, Collista, Orchard, West Van Lear and Dotson. Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and may cause localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways. Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm. Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe shelter inside a building or vehicle. LAT...LON 3752 8316 3769 8321 3784 8271 3757 8263 TIME...MOT...LOC 1101Z 256DEG 30KT 3763 8310 GEOGERIAN
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service JACKSON KY
719 AM EDT FRI MAY 19 2017
KYZ068-069-111-114-191145-
Jackson-Lee-Owsley-Rockcastle-
719 AM EDT FRI MAY 19 2017
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT NORTHWESTERN OWSLEY...JACKSON...
EAST CENTRAL ROCKCASTLE AND SOUTHWESTERN LEE COUNTIES...
At 719 AM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located over Dango, or 8
miles southwest of McKee, moving east at 35 mph.
Winds in excess of 40 mph and small hail are possible with this
storm.
Locations impacted include...
McKee, Carico, Travellers Rest, Blake, Robinet, Zekes Point, Shop
Branch, Maulden, Mummie, Tyner, Privett, Bradshaw, Horse Lick,
Earnestville, Hurley, Settle Store, Delvinta, Moores Creek, Parrot
and Johnetta.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and may cause
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.
LAT...LON 3742 8423 3754 8379 3734 8372 3735 8378
3733 8379 3733 8383 3730 8387 3727 8406
3728 8405 3730 8410 3732 8410 3734 8412
3731 8414 3730 8419
TIME...MOT...LOC 1119Z 255DEG 29KT 3736 8411
GEOGERIANSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service JACKSON KY
749 AM EDT FRI MAY 19 2017
KYZ119-120-191215-
Martin-Pike-
749 AM EDT FRI MAY 19 2017
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT SOUTHERN MARTIN AND NORTHWESTERN
PIKE COUNTIES...
At 748 AM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located over Heenan, or 12
miles west of Williamson, moving east at 35 mph.
Winds in excess of 40 mph are possible with this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Forest Hills, Rural, Moree, Gulnare, Turkey Creek, Belfry, Hatfield
Station, Heisey, Coalpoint, Heenan, Whitepost, Pleasant, Conder,
Sidney, Oppy, Piso, Laura, Varney, McClure and Jarad.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and may cause
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.
LAT...LON 3762 8219 3760 8255 3768 8258 3768 8256
3769 8259 3774 8261 3781 8238 3776 8233
3776 8231 3774 8233 3770 8230 3767 8230
3765 8223 3763 8222 3763 8219 3765 8218
3763 8217
TIME...MOT...LOC 1148Z 256DEG 29KT 3768 8250
GEOGERIANThe Jackson,KY radar (KJKL), 125 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 12:55 UTC.
6 thunderstorm wind, 4 flash flood, 2 hail, 1 funnel cloud. Local standard time, as filed.
A trained spotter reported trees and power lines downed near Science Hill.
Emergency management relayed flash flooding near Bulan, where six inches of water was flowing over Ajax Hollow Road and Indianhead Hollow.
Emergency management relayed reports of flowing water over Callahan Branch and Peter Fork Road near Buskirk, knocking a few homes off of their foundations.
A local emergency manager reported water running over Kentucky Highway 979 near Harold.
Emergency management relayed reports of numerous roadways containing flowing water over them throughout Floyd County, including Kentucky Highway 1210. One road had high enough water to reach the hoods of cars near Martin, while several roads were closed due to culverts being washed out from Martin to Drift.
A funnel cloud was sighted near Waltz.
A citizen reported up to golf ball sized hail near Rogers.
A tree was blown down south of Vancleve.
A tree and a large limb were blown down near Salyersville.
A tree was blown down around mile marker 2 on Kentucky Highway 114 west of Prestonsburg.
A couple of trees were blown down along Kentucky Highway 30 east of Jackson to northeast of Guage.
A citizen reported quarter sized hail west of Prestonsburg.
A tree was blown down on Straight Fork Road south of Gunlock.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Kentucky in 2017Every state in 2017This day in weather historyWarnings in Kentucky, May 2017
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: 688101, 688102, 688103, 688104, 688107, 688220, 688229, 688232, 688236, 688243, 688246, 688224, 688252.