A large thunderstorm complex tracked slowly east across southwest Indiana during the morning. These storms produced heavy rainfall and isolated 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.
A large thunderstorm complex tracked slowly east across southwest Indiana during the morning. These storms produced heavy rainfall and isolated flooding. A deep southwest wind flow through the depth of the atmosphere brought abundant moisture for storms. Precipitable water values were near 1.5 inches.
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 May 29, 5:38 AM CST, 2 hours 20 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Paducah KY 638 AM CDT Wed May 29 2019 .UPDATE... Issued at 637 AM CDT Wed May 29 2019 Updated for 12Z aviation forecast discussion. && .SHORT TERM...(Today through Friday night) Issued at 305 AM CDT Wed May 29 2019 Active weather scenario expected today into Thursday as closed low over northeastern Colorado at 00z Wednesday (7 pm Tuesday) bodily translates and moves and slowly fills over Iowa through 18z (1pm) Thursday. After that time, the low is expected to slowly phase in with a shortwave rotating around a large closed low circulation stretching from Hudson Bay to the northeastern Great Lakes region later on Thursday. The aforementioned low over Iowa and the ridging over the southeast U.S./Gulf States will sharpen the baroclinic zone across the entire WFO PAH forecast area today through at least Thursday afternoon. The NAM-WRF (ARW version), RAP, HRRR, and the ESRL HRRR are loosely depicting the evolution of convection into the WFO PAH forecast area early this morning. The convective segment along and north of I-64z between 07-08z (2-3am CDT) is along an impressed surface wave and frontal boundary enhanced by convective outflows earlier on Tuesday in the middle Mississippi Valley. The CAM guidance mentioned above is a little behind temporally (1-2 hours) and spatially (50 miles plus southward), owing to strong convective outflows interacting with a 35-40 knot southwesterly jet above 4kft msl (per KLSX VAD wind profile), maintaining upshear convection. The outflows will continue slowly work southward through the morning and generate new convection along and north of boundary, as well as set up temperature/discontinuities further to the south, bisecting southeast Missouri, extreme southern Illinois/northern Purchase and Pennyrile regions of west Kentucky and southwest Indiana. Thunderstorm activity will likely ignite and grow in coverage and intensity by late morning and through the afternoon in this area, supported by channeled vorticity, frontal zone lift. By late afternoon and early evening, the NAM- WRF ARW suggests to primary northwest to southeast oriented shortwaves. With this enhanced flow between 3 pm and 10 pm, could see the potential for quick moving line segments/bows. Where these thunderstorm clusters intersect the mean/effective frontal boundary, tornado potential may be enhanced. The coverage of showers and thunderstorms today and the boundaries they generate will determine the effective location of the boundary tonight into Thursday. There will be ample surface based instability, given the high theta-e air already in place (70 dewpoints with upper 70 to near 80 temps at 3 am this am over the southern WFO PAH forecast area), so hail and damaging wind potential will be realized, especially over southeast Missouri and into southern Illinois in the vicinity of the expected boundary this morning. Differential water vapor from the GOES-E satellite shows a southwest to northeast plume of deeper layer moisture and larger scale lift into the area at this time. This should begin to activate more shower and thunderstorm activity between roughly 4am to 8am this morning in our western most southeast Missouri/southwest Indiana counties, as it interacts with the convective outflow and convergence boundaries in Missouri and south central Illinois. As the upper low over Iowa gradually phases into the closed low in eastern Canada Thursday afternoon, most of the lift and moisture will be shifted eastward into the Pennyrile and southwest Indiana area Thursday afternoon and evening. Depending on the speed of shortwave into the southern and eastern portion of the WFO PAH forecast area late Thursday morning, there may be renewed strong to severe convection in the Pennyrile/southwest Indiana area. With the entrainment of drier air aloft, damaging winds may be a greater threat versus hail. Drier northwest flow will then move in Thursday night through Friday night, bringing temperatures closer to normal for this time of year behind the front. .LONG TERM...(Saturday through Tuesday) Issued at 305 AM CDT Wed May 29 2019 Weak ridging will be in place for the start of the weekend. However, a weak front to our north will slowly sag southward through the day. Even though there may be small chances for convection by afternoon, better chances for showers and storms developing will likely arrive during the evening and possibly lingering into the overnight hours, depending on the timing of this front. Due to the position of the upper level wave in conjunction with this surface front, higher chances or coverage of convection will be east of the Mississippi River...at least for now. Depending on the speed of the upper trough, we could see some lingering rain chances in the far eastern reaches of the CWA Sunday morning, but by and large, we should be seeing improved conditions as high pressure builds into the area. The rest of Sunday should be a quiet day with near normal temperatures and sunshine. As we head into the new week, a large upper ridge in the central part of the country will shift eastward toward the region. Surface high pressure will keep things dry on Monday, but as it moves east Monday night, we will see our temperatures increase a bit for Tuesday. More importantly, we will probably see additional chances for more showers and storms, as complexes of thunderstorms ride the top of this ridge and into our area. PoPs will remain fairly low for now as confidence of the timing of said complexes remain a challenge this far out in time. && .AVIATION... Issued at 637 AM CDT Wed May 29 2019 Two areas of convection that bear watching this morning. One along the I-64 corridor that is currently impacting KMVN will exit within the next 1-2 hours, but will bring MVFR cigs and IFR vsbys. Meanwhile, other convection is moving into southeast MO which will likely move northeast and impact KCGI/KPAH this morning and possibly KEVV/KOWB later this morning and could cause at least MVFR cigs/vsbys at times. Much of the afternoon should be dry as cumulus develops in the recovering atmosphere ahead of a second round of showers and storms this evening. South to southwest winds will increase to around 10 knots with some gusts of 15 to 20 knots possible. Showers and thunderstorms will continue to be possible for the remainder of the overnight period through 12Z. && .PAH WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... IL...None. MO...None. IN...None. KY...None. &&
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Paducah KY 320 AM CDT Wed May 29 2019 ILZ075>078-080>094-INZ081-082-085>088-KYZ001>022-MOZ076-086-087- 100-107>112-114-301000- 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- 320 AM CDT Wed May 29 2019 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of southern Illinois, southwest Indiana, western Kentucky, and southeast Missouri. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight Scattered strong to severe thunderstorms are expected today and tonight. Large Hail and Damaging Winds are the primary hazards, but a few tornadoes may be possible in the vicinity of frontal boundaries. Locally heavy rain and frequently lightning will also occur with these thunderstorms and may cause localized flooding. The potential for clusters of thunderstorms with damaging wind gusts may increase during the afternoon and early evening hours. The Storm Prediction Center in Normal Oklahoma has placed most of southeast Missouri and southern Illinois in an Enhanced Risk of Severe Thunderstorms today and tonight. A Marginal to Slight Risk of Severe Thunderstorms covers west Kentucky and part of the Missouri bootheel, while all of southwest Indiana is a Slight Risk of Severe Thunderstorms. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday Scattered strong thunderstorms may be possible through midday on Thursday over the Pennyrile region of west Kentucky and southwest Indiana. Damaging wind gusts would be the primary hazard. Thunderstorms are forecast Saturday and again on Tuesday. It is too early to determine whether these storms may reach severe limits. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Skywarn spotter activation will likely be needed later today and tonight. Smith
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Paducah KY 725 AM CDT Wed May 29 2019 ILZ084-085-088-089-MOZ087-291315- Jackson IL-Union IL-Johnson IL-Williamson IL-Cape Girardeau MO- 725 AM CDT Wed May 29 2019 ...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR UNION...NORTHERN JOHNSON... WILLIAMSON...SOUTHEASTERN JACKSON AND EASTERN CAPE GIRARDEAU COUNTIES UNTIL 815 AM CDT... At 723 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near Cobden, or 8 miles north of Anna, moving east at 45 mph. Penny size hail and winds in excess of 40 mph will be possible with this storm. Heavy rainfall, up to an inch an hour, may cause ponding of water on roadways and fill up small ditches and creeks. Locations impacted include... Carbondale, Marion, Anna, Jonesboro, Cobden, Goreville, Pittsburg, Creal Springs, Lake Of Egypt Area, Ware, Cedar Lake Area, Makanda, Alto Pass, New Burnside and Spillertown. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and may lead to 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. 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. To report severe weather, contact your nearest law enforcement agency. They will relay your report to the National Weather Service office in Paducah. If on or near the lakes in southwest Williamson County, get out of the water and move indoors or inside a vehicle. Remember, lightning can strike out to 10 miles from the parent thunderstorm. If you can hear thunder, you are close enough to be struck by lightning. Move to safe shelter now! Do not be caught on the water in a thunderstorm. Persons in campgrounds should consider seeking sturdy shelter until this storm passes. && LAT...LON 3784 8871 3752 8872 3740 8948 3761 8947 TIME...MOT...LOC 1223Z 252DEG 37KT 3758 8920 SMITH
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PADUCAH KY
727 AM CDT WED MAY 29 2019
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0711 AM FLOOD MOUNT VERNON 38.32N 88.89W
05/29/2019 JEFFERSON IL BROADCAST MEDIA
STREET FLOODING AROUND MOUNT VERNON.
&&
DWSPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PADUCAH KY
732 AM CDT WED MAY 29 2019
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0731 AM FLOOD ALBION 38.39N 88.04W
05/29/2019 EDWARDS IL TRAINED SPOTTER
A FEW INCHES OF WATER OVER ROADS IN SEVERAL
LOCATIONS AROUND THE COUNTY.
&&
DWSPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PADUCAH KY
757 AM CDT WED MAY 29 2019
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0745 AM TSTM WND GST 1 SE ENERGY 37.77N 89.02W
05/29/2019 M52 MPH WILLIAMSON IL AWOS
AWOS STATION KMWA MARION IL.
&&
DWSSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Paducah KY
802 AM CDT Wed May 29 2019
ILZ086-087-090-291345-
Saline IL-Gallatin IL-Pope IL-
802 AM CDT Wed May 29 2019
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR NORTHWESTERN POPE...SALINE AND
NORTHWESTERN GALLATIN COUNTIES UNTIL 845 AM CDT...
At 800 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from near Galatia to near Lake Of Egypt Area.
Movement was northeast at 45 mph.
Pea size hail and wind gusts up to 50 mph will be possible with these
storms.
These storms produced a 52 mph wind gust at 745 AM CDT at the Marion
Illinois Airport.
Locations impacted include...
Harrisburg, Eldorado, Galatia, Ridgway, Equality, Carrier Mills, New
Haven, Raleigh, Stonefort, Omaha and Muddy.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with these storms, and may lead
to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with these storms.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.
These storms 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.
To report severe weather, contact your nearest law enforcement
agency. They will relay your report to the National Weather Service
office in Paducah.
&&
LAT...LON 3788 8808 3761 8839 3753 8871 3786 8871
3790 8859 3791 8840 3791 8814 3792 8813
TIME...MOT...LOC 1300Z 244DEG 39KT 3784 8856 3761 8889
SMITHSpecial Weather Statement National Weather Service Paducah KY 832 AM CDT Wed May 29 2019 MOZ110>112-114-291415- Stoddard MO-New Madrid MO-Scott MO-Mississippi MO- 832 AM CDT Wed May 29 2019 ...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR CENTRAL MISSISSIPPI...SOUTH CENTRAL SCOTT...NORTHEASTERN NEW MADRID AND SOUTHEASTERN STODDARD COUNTIES UNTIL 915 AM CDT... At 831 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over Canalou, or 10 miles southwest of Sikeston, moving east at 40 mph. Half inch hail, very heavy rainfall, frequent lightning and wind gusts up to 50 mph will be possible with this storm. Locations impacted include... Sikeston, Charleston, East Prairie, Miner, Morehouse, Bertrand, Matthews, Canalou, Wyatt, Anniston, Farrenburg, Baker and Wilson City. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and may lead to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways. && LAT...LON 3686 8978 3696 8916 3672 8920 3665 8975 TIME...MOT...LOC 1331Z 259DEG 34KT 3676 8969 JGG
The Evansville,IN radar (KVWX), 10 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 13:57 UTC.
3 flash flood. Local standard time, as filed.
A couple of main roads were closed in the Fort Branch area. One bridge was flooded over. Several other roads were flooded but passable.
Water was reported flowing across Interstate 64 in a few places.
Baseline Road was flooded west of Petersburg Road. Vehicles were stranded in the water. A trained spotter measured 1.2 inches of rain in 30 minutes.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Indiana in 2019Every state in 2019This day in weather historyWarnings in Indiana, May 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: 819909, 819917, 819908.