Multiple rounds of severe storms produced wind damage across portions of eastern Kentucky during the afternoon and evening hours of July 20, 2018, extending into the early morning hours of July 21. The hardest hit areas were in Montgomery County, where Emergency Management reported that 47 roads were closed at one point due to downed trees and power lines resulting in nearly 4,600 power outages.
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.
Multiple rounds of severe storms produced wind damage across portions of eastern Kentucky during the afternoon and evening hours of July 20, 2018, extending into the early morning hours of July 21. The hardest hit areas were in Montgomery County, where Emergency Management reported that 47 roads were closed at one point due to downed trees and power lines resulting in nearly 4,600 power outages. Additionally, a disaster declaration was made for the county as multiple buildings sustained damage. These included a tobacco warehouse that had its roof blown off as well as a hotel in Mount Sterling whose sign and building both sustained damage from severe straight-line winds.
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 Jul 20, 2:40 PM EST, 51 minutes earlier.
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION National Weather Service Jackson KY 340 PM EDT Fri Jul 20 2018 .SHORT TERM...(This evening through Saturday night) Issued at 340 PM EDT FRI JUL 20 2018 A cluster of strong to severe thunderstorms is approaching the forecast area from the west. At this time, should these storms hold together, they would begin to affect portions of the area along and north of a line from Stanton to Campton to Salyersville to Canada in Pike county. The question now will be whether or not these storms will be able to maintain their current intensity as they move over a portion of the area that received quite a bit of rainfall this morning. Will keep severe wording in the grids and the zone forecast text product until we see firm evidence that the ongoing storms can not maintain current strength or that new activity will not be able to reach severe limits. For now it will be a matter watching and seeing what happens as ongoing storms move into our area. At this time, we feel that the primary threats with any strong to severe storms will be damaging wind gusts and locally heavy rainfall that could lead to flooding. A new concern is the potential for heavy rainfall and flooding, especially for areas that receive alot of rain this morning. A flash flood watch is in effect to address this issue through midnight tonight. At this time, multiple rounds of showers and storms are expected to move across the area this afternoon through Saturday night. The trigger for this activity will be an area of low pressure that will be moving slowly across the Great Lakes and Ohio Valley regions, and the surface cold front associated with it. Temperatures should bottom out the next two nights at near normal values in the mid to upper 60s. Highs on Saturday will depend on the amount of cloud cover and precipitation we experience, but should generally be well below normal, with max values ranging from the upper 70s in our north, to the lower 80s everywhere else. .LONG TERM...(Saturday night through Thursday) Issued at 248 AM EDT FRI JUL 20 2018 Upper level low will shift south over Kentucky Saturday night, before slowly moving further south on Sunday. This system will then slowly fizzle out into next week. The best chances for rain may come on Saturday night into Sunday as deep moisture and lift is in place for a soaking rainfall. Hard to judge how many thunderstorms we will see given the abundance of cloud cover, but will maintain a small chance for storms. Did undercut guidance a bit on highs Sunday given the cloud cover and elevated rain chances. As we head into next week, shower and storm chances should be more focused during the afternoon/evening peak heating period, as forcing diminishes. However, models continue to provide chances through at least next Thursday each day and no reason to doubt this given the wet pattern we have been in. Temperatures should rebound a bit going into next week with highs back into the 80s. && .AVIATION...(For the 18Z TAFS through 18Z Saturday afternoon) ISSUED AT 159 PM EDT FRI JUL 20 2018 As a surface low pressure has advanced towards the Commonwealth from the west this morning, showers and thunderstorms overspread the northernmost TAF sites of SYM, JKL, and SJS. A second round of storms will affect the area this evening, although timing is still a bit uncertain at this time. Have allowed for a TEMPO group of IFR to show the advancement of this line later this evening. Winds will generally be light, but will increase with storms to about 20 kts. Wind gusts could potentially reach 35 kts or greater with this line. The other concern towards the end of the TAF period will be fog development, particularly in areas with recent rains from during the day and evening. Have allowed for MVFR conditions towards dawn to address this. The likelihood of showers will remain high on Saturday as the low pressure system moves even closer to our region. && .JKL WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Flash Flood Watch until midnight EDT tonight for KYZ044-050>052- 060-104-106. && SHORT TERM...AR LONG TERM...KAS AVIATION...CGAL/GEOGERIAN
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Jackson KY 401 PM EDT Fri Jul 20 2018 KYZ044-050>052-060-104-106-212315- Fleming-Montgomery-Bath-Rowan-Menifee-Elliott-Morgan- Including the cities of Flemingsburg, Camargo, Jeffersonville, Mount Sterling, Owingsville, Morehead, Frenchburg, Sandy Hook, and West Liberty 401 PM EDT Fri Jul 20 2018 ...FLASH FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT EDT TONIGHT... This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of eastern Kentucky. .DAY ONE...Tonight. Severe thunderstorms will be possible through this evening. The primary threats will be damaging winds and large hail. An isolated tornado is also possible. Additionally, flash flooding will be a threat. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday. Thunderstorms will be possible at times from Saturday through Thursday, mainly during the afternoon and evening hours. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation may be needed through late this evening. KYZ058-059-068-069-079-080-083>088-107>120-212315- Estill-Powell-Rockcastle-Jackson-Pulaski-Laurel-Wayne-McCreary- Whitley-Knox-Bell-Harlan-Johnson-Wolfe-Magoffin-Floyd-Lee- Breathitt-Knott-Owsley-Perry-Clay-Leslie-Letcher-Martin-Pike- Including the cities of Irvine, Ravenna, Clay City, Stanton, Brodhead, Mount Vernon, McKee, Annville, Burnside, Somerset, London, Monticello, Stearns, Whitley City, Corbin, Williamsburg, Barbourville, Middlesboro, Pineville, Cumberland, Harlan, 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 401 PM EDT Fri Jul 20 2018 This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of eastern Kentucky. .DAY ONE...Tonight. Severe thunderstorms will be possible through this evening. The primary threats will be damaging winds and large hail. An isolated tornado is also possible. Additionally, isolated flash flooding will be a threat. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday. Thunderstorms will be possible at times from Saturday through Thursday, mainly during the afternoon and evening hours. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation may be needed through early this evening. AR/GEOGERIAN
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service JACKSON KY
1034 AM EDT FRI JUL 20 2018
KYZ050>052-059-060-201500-
Rowan-Montgomery-Menifee-Bath-Powell-
1034 AM EDT FRI JUL 20 2018
...AN AREA OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL AFFECT NORTHWESTERN POWELL...
MONTGOMERY...BATH...NORTHWESTERN MENIFEE AND WEST CENTRAL ROWAN
COUNTIES...
At 1034 AM EDT, strong thunderstorms were clustered over Prewitt, or
over Mount Sterling, moving southeast at 30 mph.
Winds up to 40 mph are possible with this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Mount Sterling, Morehead, Stanton, Owingsville, Marshall,
Jeffersonville, Camargo, Sharpsburg, Salt Lick, Clay Lick, Ramey,
Levee, Cornwell, Peasticks, Rothwell, Olympia Springs, Flat Creek,
Bourbon Furnace, Prewitt and Crooks.
LAT...LON 3821 8370 3820 8370 3821 8369 3821 8368
3820 8366 3817 8364 3820 8361 3819 8345
3783 8382 3791 8399 3793 8397 3812 8408
3817 8399 3823 8393
TIME...MOT...LOC 1434Z 299DEG 24KT 3805 8398
CGALSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service JACKSON KY
1100 AM EDT FRI JUL 20 2018
KYZ052-060-104-106-201530-
Rowan-Elliott-Menifee-Morgan-
1100 AM EDT FRI JUL 20 2018
...AN AREA OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL AFFECT NORTHERN MORGAN...
NORTHEASTERN MENIFEE...SOUTHEASTERN ROWAN AND ELLIOTT COUNTIES...
At 1100 AM EDT, strong thunderstorms were clustered over Christy, or
near Morehead, moving east at 35 mph.
Winds up to 40 mph are possible with this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Morehead, West Liberty, Sandy Hook, Zag, Fannin Valley, Florress,
Elliottville, Lick Branch, Christy, Bangor, Wrigley, Pelfrey, Cottle,
Elamton, Licking River, Pomp, Isonville, Elkfork, Vale and Steele.
LAT...LON 3823 8309 3818 8305 3821 8301 3817 8298
3818 8292 3812 8289 3787 8319 3803 8357
3805 8358 3805 8350 3807 8346 3809 8348
3807 8351 3812 8353 3824 8344 3825 8331
3821 8330 3819 8326 3820 8323 3827 8316
TIME...MOT...LOC 1500Z 263DEG 39KT 3818 8338
CGALSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service JACKSON KY
419 PM EDT FRI JUL 20 2018
KYZ044-052-202100-
Rowan-Fleming-
419 PM EDT FRI JUL 20 2018
...A LINE OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL AFFECT FLEMING AND NORTH
CENTRAL ROWAN COUNTIES...
At 419 PM EDT, radar indicated strong thunderstorms were located
along a line extending from near Fairview to near Cowan. Movement was
east at 35 mph.
Wind gusts up to 50 mph and half inch hail are possible with these
storms.
Locations impacted include...
Flemingsburg, Fairview, Pecks Ridge, Mount Carmel, Nepton, Triplett,
Tilton, Muses Mills, Craintown, Wallingford, Plummers Landing, Cowan,
Poplar Plains, Foxport, Elizaville, Waltz, Goddard, Ewing and
Flemingsburg Junction.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with these storms, 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.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 900 PM EDT for
east central Kentucky.
LAT...LON 3849 8359 3843 8358 3840 8348 3838 8345
3840 8341 3829 8333 3830 8385 3834 8384
3836 8388 3835 8390 3837 8390 3836 8392
3842 8395 3845 8398 3849 8393 3846 8385
3852 8364
TIME...MOT...LOC 2019Z 272DEG 29KT 3850 8395 3837 8396
GREIFThe Jackson,KY radar (KJKL), 86 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 20:32 UTC.
22 thunderstorm wind, 1 hail. Local standard time, as filed.
A trained spotter reported multiple trees were blown down. Damage to a barn as well as roofs of other outbuildings was incurred near the intersection of U.S. Highway 460 and Chiles Highway near Sideview northwest of Mount Sterling.
Local media reported via social media that a portion of a metal roof was blown off of a clay tobacco warehouse in Mount Sterling. The building and sign of a Ramada Hotel were also damaged.
A thunderstorm wind gust of 62 mph was measured by the Bath County mesonet.
A Skywarn storm spotter reported a tree and large limb were blown down near Stanton.
Dispatch reported trees were blown down along Kentucky Highway 801 south of Farmers along Cave Run Lake.
Dispatch reported several trees blown down from about 6 miles northwest of West Liberty to near the city limits. This includes trees down on Kentucky Highway 7, McClain Way, Greasy Creek Road, and Kentucky Highway 772.
Dispatch relayed a report of a tree blown down on Kentucky Highway 711 northwest of Wrigley.
Dispatch reported a tree blown down across Lilys Ferry Road in Kimbrell.
Dispatch reported several trees blown down from Winston on Winston Road through Irvine and Shade southeast of Ravenna.
A Cooperative Observer reported penny sized hail near Clover Bottom.
Dispatch relayed a report of a tree blown down on Kentucky Highway 587 near Gray Hawk.
Dispatch reported a tree blown down on Turkey Creek Road near Turkey Creek.
Dispatch reported trees blown down on Kentucky Highway 1004 southeast of Mount Vernon.
Dispatch relayed reports of trees blown down on Keavy Road southwest of London.
Dispatch reported trees blown down on Kentucky Highway 552 in Lily.
Dispatch reported trees blown down from west of Monticello on Twyfords Point Road into the city limits.
Dispatch reported trees blown down on Kentucky Highway 204 in Clio.
A trained spotter and dispatch observed trees blown down from Pineville to northeast of town on Kentucky Highway 221.
Dispatch reported trees blown down on Kentucky Highway 904 east of Williamsburg.
Dispatch reported trees blown down on U.S. Highway 421 near Harlan.
Dispatch reported trees blown down on Kentucky Highways 990 and 3001 southeast of Harlan.
Dispatch reported a tree blown down across Poley Ellis Lane east of Pine Knot.
A trained spotter observed two trees blown down southwest of Hollyhill.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Kentucky in 2018Every state in 2018This day in weather historyWarnings in Kentucky, July 2018
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: 758898, 758899, 758908, 758901, 758902, 758904, 758905, 758909, 758910, 759126, 758912, 758917, 758919, 758920, 758921, 758922, 758925, 758927, 758928, 758931, 758932, 758934, 758994.