As strong solar heating destabilized the atmosphere, numerous clusters of intense thunderstorms blossomed from southeast Missouri to southwest Indiana. The main impact associated with these storms was 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 PAH wrote it up.
As strong solar heating destabilized the atmosphere, numerous clusters of intense thunderstorms blossomed from southeast Missouri to southwest Indiana. The main impact associated with these storms was flash flooding. Several locations picked up torrential rainfall amounts over a short time period. Over four inches of rain occurred in Union County, prompting water rescues from vehicles. Damaging winds up to around 60 mph occurred with a few of the storms as well. The environment was characterized by moderate to strong instability and moderate wind shear. Effective bulk wind shear values of 25 to 40 knots were observed. The storms developed east of a weak low pressure center over Missouri.
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 Jun 16, 12:14 PM CST, 2 hours 56 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Paducah KY 114 PM CDT Sun Jun 16 2019 .SHORT TERM...(Tonight through Monday) Issued at 114 PM CDT Sun Jun 16 2019 Atmosphere is very unstable this afternoon. A weak mid level wave/mcv to our west will continue toward the area through the end of the day, possibly enhancing convection. We also see evidence of a boundary from near KEVV back to the west into southern IL from earlier morning convection. Strong to isolated severe storms and heavy rainfall possible as a result. Tonight through Monday, conditions should remain unsettled with a H7/H5 open wave forecast to move toward the area. PoPs overall have been overdone by a considerable amount. We will play middle of the road with Pops and use scattered terminology given the uncertainty regarding clouds and mesoscale influences. Chances should be higher Monday with the approach of the mid level feature. Otherwise rather warm and humid through Monday. .LONG TERM...(Monday night through Sunday) Issued at 114 PM CDT Sun Jun 16 2019 The extended forecast period begins with filling of a southwest MO low/middle level low pressure center and translation of the trough axis through the WFO PAH forecast area from west to east. The movement of this system, combined with weak ridging should diminish PoPs significantly Tuesday and Tuesday night. Selected model guidance has hinted at a diminution of PoPs on Tuesday, but elements of blended and ensemble guidance have masked this subtle change. Plan to heighten the lowered PoP chances for Tuesday. Likewise, nearly all of the medium range guidance continues to maintain higher rain chances for Wednesday into Thursday, associated with a broader scale, lee side of the Rockies, generated trough. This may generate scattered to numerous coverage of convective activity Wednesday night as the gradient of maximum lift, vorticity, and surface convergence comes into play. Beyond Thursday and through at least early Saturday, a more meridional pattern develops. More dominant ridging should serve to suppress thunderstorm chances on Friday and Friday night. With the transition from a zonal to meridional pattern, anticipate some timing difference on rain chances into next weekend. At this point, plan to go with a slower eastward transport (probably closer to the mean 700 mb hemispheric wave speed of 15 knots) of the ridge, leading to a drier Saturday and Sunday. Lowered PoPs during this time period, within collaborative limits with neighboring offices. && .AVIATION... Issued at 1123 AM CDT Sun Jun 16 2019 Terminal forecasts will be kept simple. Other than VC mention within the first 6 hours, will keep convection out of the TAFs given very low confidence in timing and evolution through Monday. MVFR cigs across the area were more prominent than expected. We expect improvement into the afternoon to VFR conditions. We may see lower cigs reappear late tonight into Monday morning given similar conditions are forecast to exist. SSW winds 10 to 20 kts and gusty will become light SSW tonight through Monday morning. && .PAH WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... IL...None. MO...None. IN...None. KY...None. &&
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Paducah KY 828 AM CDT Sun Jun 16 2019 ILZ075>078-080>094-INZ081-082-085>088-KYZ001>022-MOZ076-086-087- 100-107>112-114-171000- Jefferson-Wayne IL-Edwards-Wabash-Perry IL-Franklin-Hamilton- White-Jackson-Williamson-Saline-Gallatin-Union-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- 828 AM CDT Sun Jun 16 2019 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of southern Illinois, southwest Indiana, western Kentucky, and southeast Missouri. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight Scattered thunderstorms are likely today through tonight. There is a risk for a few severe thunderstorms, capable of hail and strong winds. Heavy rain may cause localized minor flooding as well. Refer to the latest river flood warnings and statements for updated river flooding details. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday Thunderstorms are expected on and off through much of the week. Locally heavy rain is the primary hazard and may lead to localized flooding. Each afternoon or evening, a strong storm is possible, but perhaps Monday and Wednesday offer the best such chance. Refer to the latest river flood warnings and statements for updated river flooding details. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotters should monitor the latest forecasts and updates for potential activation requests.
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Paducah KY 247 PM CDT Sun Jun 16 2019 MOZ107-108-162030- Carter MO-Ripley MO- 247 PM CDT Sun Jun 16 2019 ...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SOUTHERN CARTER AND NORTHERN RIPLEY COUNTIES UNTIL 330 PM CDT... At 246 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near Hunter, or 11 miles south of Van Buren, moving east at 20 mph. Penny size hail and winds in excess of 40 mph will be possible with this storm. Locations impacted include... Budapest, Hunter and Grandin. A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM CDT for southeastern Missouri. This storm could become severe. Continue to monitor for additional statements and possible warnings. LAT...LON 3674 9102 3691 9108 3703 9083 3676 9070 TIME...MOT...LOC 1946Z 249DEG 16KT 3684 9096 08
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PADUCAH KY
321 PM CDT SUN JUN 16 2019
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0317 PM HAIL HUNTER 36.89N 90.84W
06/16/2019 E0.70 INCH CARTER MO EMERGENCY MNGR
&&
DWSPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PADUCAH KY
324 PM CDT SUN JUN 16 2019
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0323 PM HAIL 2 S HUNTER 36.86N 90.85W
06/16/2019 E1.00 INCH CARTER MO PUBLIC
&&
DWSSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Paducah KY
331 PM CDT Sun Jun 16 2019
ILZ075-076-162115-
Jefferson IL-Wayne IL-
331 PM CDT Sun Jun 16 2019
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR WESTERN WAYNE AND SOUTHEASTERN
JEFFERSON COUNTIES UNTIL 415 PM CDT...
At 330 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Bluford, or near Mount Vernon, moving northeast at 25 mph.
Penny size hail and wind gusts up to 50 mph will be possible with
this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Mount Vernon, Wayne City, Bluford, Belle Rive and Keenes.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.
&&
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM CDT for
south central Illinois.
LAT...LON 3856 8854 3825 8854 3826 8870 3822 8871
3819 8889 3829 8895
TIME...MOT...LOC 2030Z 236DEG 21KT 3829 8882
SPSPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PADUCAH KY 335 PM CDT Sun Jun 16 2019 ILZ080-084-088-092-093-MOZ076-086-087-100-107>112-114-162200- PERRY IL-JACKSON-UNION-ALEXANDER-PULASKI-PERRY MO-BOLLINGER- CAPE GIRARDEAU-WAYNE MO-CARTER-RIPLEY-BUTLER-STODDARD-SCOTT- MISSISSIPPI-NEW MADRID- INCLUDING THE CITIES OF PINCKNEYVILLE, CARBONDALE, MURPHYSBORO, JONESBORO, CAIRO, MOUND CITY, PERRYVILLE, MARBLE HILL, CAPE GIRARDEAU, JACKSON, PIEDMONT, VAN BUREN, DONIPHAN, POPLAR BLUFF, BLOOMFIELD, SIKESTON, CHARLESTON, AND NEW MADRID 335 PM CDT Sun Jun 16 2019 ...Special Weather Statement... At 334 PM, scattered strong thunderstorms were observed across southwest Illinois into southeast Missouri. Through 5 PM, some of the stronger storms will likely produce wind gusts 35 to 50 mph and hail up to dime size, especially west of a line from Dexter to Cape Girardeau, northeast to the Murphysboro area. Continue to monitor for additional statements and possible warnings. 08
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Paducah KY
349 PM CDT Sun Jun 16 2019
INZ081-082-086>088-162145-
Warrick IN-Vanderburgh IN-Gibson IN-Spencer IN-Pike IN-
349 PM CDT Sun Jun 16 2019
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR NORTHERN WARRICK...NORTHEASTERN
SPENCER...SOUTHEASTERN GIBSON...NORTHERN VANDERBURGH AND SOUTHERN
PIKE COUNTIES UNTIL 445 PM CDT...
At 348 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Haubstadt, or near Fort Branch, moving northeast at 25 mph. Another
strong storm was located east of Lynnville in northern Warrick
County.
Nickel size hail and wind gusts up to 50 mph will be possible with
these storms.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.
&&
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM CDT for
southwestern Indiana.
LAT...LON 3818 8680 3816 8680 3800 8770 3831 8769
3846 8707 3821 8707 3820 8679 3818 8679
TIME...MOT...LOC 2048Z 246DEG 21KT 3816 8755
SPThe Paducah radar (KPAH), 93 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 21:11 UTC.
4 flash flood, 3 thunderstorm wind, 1 hail. Local standard time, as filed.
A large tree was snapped. A few miles away, the peak wind gust at the Carbondale airport was 55 mph.
Trees were blown down on power lines.
Water was flowing over Illinois Highway 15 in multiple places near Wayne City. A mesonet site at Fairfield measured 3.45 inches of rain in 24 hours.
A couple of secondary roads south of Murphysboro were covered with water.
Severe flash flooding impacted Union County. There were two water rescues in the county. One car stalled in high water on Mount Glen Road near Cobden. First responders were able to rescue the driver, a young female. The second water rescue involved a vehicle in the Trail of Tears State Forest near Ware. The vehicle was swept off State Forest Road where it crosses Clear Creek. Two people were in the vehicle at the time it was swept off the road. The male involved was able to escape. The body of the other person in the vehicle, a female in her late 50's, was found deceased the following morning less than a mile downstream from the vehicle. Elsewhere in the area, one lane of Highway 146 near the intersection of Highway 3 was flooded. A trained spotter reported 4.0 inches of rainfall in 24 hours three miles east of Ware. The public reported 4.5 inches of rain in 24 hours at Cobden.
Numerous roads were flooded around Bluford, including Highway 15. Several wrecks were reported on Interstates 57 and 64 due to water ponding issues.
Trees were down across parts of Massac County, mainly in the Joppa area.
As the offices recorded each death: direct deaths were caused by the weather itself, indirect ones by something it set in motion.
| Event | Date | Age | Sex | Where | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood, Union | 2019-06-16 | 59 | Female | Vehicle/Towed Trailer | Direct |
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Illinois in 2019Every state in 2019This day in weather historyWarnings in Illinois, June 2019
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: 822337, 822338, 822336, 829463, 829472, 829480, 829468, 822339.