Severe storms pummeled central portions of eastern Kentucky during the evening hours of May 26, 2019. These thunderstorms developed along a surface boundary, in tandem with a mesoscale convective vortex.
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.
Severe storms pummeled central portions of eastern Kentucky during the evening hours of May 26, 2019. These thunderstorms developed along a surface boundary, in tandem with a mesoscale convective vortex. These features helped to organize storms into a line, which swept across eastern Kentucky and produced several reports of damage.
Numerous trees were blown down from Rockcastle to Martin and Pike Counties. This subsequently led to thousands of power outages across eastern 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 Jackson, KY wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at May 26, 1:55 PM EST, 3 hours 12 minutes earlier.
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION National Weather Service Jackson KY 255 PM EDT Sun May 26 2019 .SHORT TERM...(This evening through Monday night) Issued at 254 PM EDT SUN MAY 26 2019 The large mid/upper level ridge remains centered over the southeast U.S. However a couple of mid level short waves will move through the OH valley on the northern periphery of the ridge this afternoon and again Monday, bringing chances of showers and thunderstorms. The wave today is more pronounced than what is forecast for Monday. An associated Mesoscale Convective Vortex (MCV) was over southern IL early this afternoon, and thunderstorms were increasing in coverage and intensity out ahead of this feature. MLCAPE in excess of 1000 J/KG was analyzed over central KY extending into eastern KY and could increase to around 1500 J/KG. Effective bulk shear ranged from 40 knots over far northeast KY to 30 knots in the far southeast. There is also a surface boundary across the northern part of the forecast area that appears to be left from convection that occurred to our north last night and early this morning. The shear, in combination with some low level convergence along the remnant boundary, will help support organized convection over the central and northern part of the forecast area. This is in line with the current severe thunderstorm watch. Forecast soundings show a significant mid level dry layer and DCAPEs around 1000 J/KG. This supports the idea of damaging wind gusts with storms this afternoon and early evening. The best chance for severe storms will be from 4 PM this afternoon to 8 PM this evening. The other concern this evening will be the heavy rain threat. The 12Z ILN sounding and satellite based data shows precipitable water (PW) from 1.3 to 1.5 inches, but based on model soundings this could increase to closer to 2 inches. Current PW is around the 80th percentile, but could increase to exceed the 95th percentile. Storms should be progressive this evening, but some training is possible over the far northern part of the area which is in the marginal risk area for excessive rainfall per WPC. With the passage of the short wave and MCV, and loss of daytime heating, convection will wane this evening, with the severe threat ending by 9 PM EDT. The short wave that moves through the OH valley on Monday does not look to be as robust as today's wave, and the threat for strong to severe storms will be less. However, it should be noted that the SPC Day 2 outlook does have the northern part of the forecast area in a marginal risk for severe storms on Monday. .LONG TERM...(Tuesday through Sunday) Issued at 254 PM EDT SUN MAY 26 2019 The extended forecast period begins on Tuesday with an amplified pattern remaining in place across the CONUS. This pattern features an active trend with the persistent trough over the west and a stout Bermuda High over the southeastern CONUS. Return flow remains in place over eastern Kentucky with the ridge maintaining over the southeastern CONUS. This will successfully stunt good convection over eastern Kentucky for Tuesday and Wednesday. With a boundary draped to the north, there will remain a possibility of a shower or a storm to creep into the Bluegrass area but this will likely remain dry. The southerly flow in place will bring continuous warm air into the region leading to high temperatures into the upper 80s and lower 90s which will be near record temperatures. A change in the pattern will be likely come Thursday as the mid level gets pushed eastward with a strong jet stream aloft pushing the trough eastward into the Midwest. This will drag a cold front into the region for Thursday and bringing the chance of showers and thunderstorms. With the boundary pushing eastward against the ridge, the feature will wash out a bit as it comes into the area. Model soundings support this with minimal instability and just enough for general thunderstorms and showers across the area for Thursday afternoon and as well into Friday. Some remaining subsidence aloft will still be evident through the day on Thursday and into Friday and thus will keep the Super Blend recommendation of low chance pops. Once this front moves through, it gets hung up over the ridge and remains draped over eastern Kentucky. This feature will become a firing point for convection for Friday and Saturday. The other change in the pattern will be the cooler air that moved into the area which will knock highs into the lower 80s for highs. Thus, the extended will feature near record warmth to begin the extended but a cold front will bring a cooldown to more normal high temps for the rest of the extended. The ridge will lessen its hold for the latter half of the extended with afternoon showers and thunderstorms each day from Friday through Saturday. && .AVIATION...(For the 18Z TAFS through 18Z Monday afternoon) ISSUED AT 147 PM EDT SUN MAY 26 2019 A wave of low pressure moving across the OH Valley will bring scattered thunderstorms to the northern and central part of the forecast area late this afternoon and evening. VFR conditions will prevail outside thunderstorms this afternoon. Will carry VCTS at SYM, JKL, and SJS, as exact timing at any given TAF site is uncertain at this time. Will need to update TAFs as convection moves into the area. There is some uncertainty in the forecast conditions for tonight. MVFR ceilings may develop in the wake of today's convection, and guidance does support this. Fog tonight will depend on where and how much rain falls this afternoon and evening. Even with the recent dry weather there were a few hours of MVFR visibility in fog at LOZ late last night and early this morning. With that in mind have included some MVFR fog at SME and LOZ around dawn on Monday. && .JKL WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... NONE. && SHORT TERM...SBH LONG TERM...SHALLENBERGER AVIATION...SBH
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Jackson KY 354 PM EDT Sun May 26 2019 KYZ044-050>052-058>060-068-069-104-106>112-114-119-120-271200- Fleming-Montgomery-Bath-Rowan-Estill-Powell-Menifee-Rockcastle- Jackson-Elliott-Morgan-Johnson-Wolfe-Magoffin-Floyd-Lee-Breathitt- Owsley-Martin-Pike- Including the cities of Flemingsburg, Camargo, Jeffersonville, Mount Sterling, Owingsville, Morehead, Irvine, Ravenna, Clay City, Stanton, Frenchburg, Brodhead, Mount Vernon, McKee, Annville, Sandy Hook, West Liberty, Paintsville, Campton, Salyersville, Prestonsburg, Wheelwright, Beattyville, Jackson, Booneville, Inez, Coal Run, Elkhorn City, Pikeville, and South Williamson 354 PM EDT Sun May 26 2019 ...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 252 IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM EDT THIS EVENING... This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of eastern Kentucky. .DAY ONE...Tonight. Thunderstorms with damaging winds and large hail will be possible through this evening. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday. Thunderstorms are possible Monday afternoon. There is a small chance for thunderstorms north of Interstate 64 on Wednesday. Thunderstorms will also be possible at times from Thursday through Saturday. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotters are encouraged to report any wind damage, hail or flooding to the National Weather Service this evening. KYZ079-080-083>088-113-115>118-271200- Pulaski-Laurel-Wayne-McCreary-Whitley-Knox-Bell-Harlan-Knott- Perry-Clay-Leslie-Letcher- Including the cities of Burnside, Somerset, London, Monticello, Stearns, Whitley City, Corbin, Williamsburg, Barbourville, Middlesboro, Pineville, Cumberland, Harlan, Hindman, Pippa Passes, Hazard, Manchester, Hyden, Jenkins, and Whitesburg 354 PM EDT Sun May 26 2019 This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of eastern Kentucky. .DAY ONE...Tonight. Thunderstorms will be possible through this evening. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday. Thunderstorms are possible Monday afternoon. Thunderstorms will also be possible at times from Thursday through Saturday. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not anticipated. SBH/SHALLENBERGER
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service JACKSON KY
454 PM EDT Sun May 26 2019
KYZ044-050-051-058>060-262145-
Montgomery-Menifee-Estill-Fleming-Bath-Powell-
454 PM EDT Sun May 26 2019
...A LINE OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL AFFECT WESTERN POWELL...
MONTGOMERY...BATH...ESTILL...NORTHWESTERN MENIFEE AND SOUTHEASTERN
FLEMING COUNTIES...
At 453 PM EDT, radar indicated strong thunderstorms were located
along a line extending from near Carlisle to 7 miles west of
Richmond. Movement was southeast at 35 mph.
Winds in excess of 40 mph are possible with these storms.
Locations impacted include...
Mount Sterling, Stanton, Irvine, Owingsville, Marshall,
Jeffersonville, Camargo, Clay City, Ravenna, Sharpsburg, Salt Lick,
Levee, Cornwell, Kimbrell, Bourbon Furnace, Pebble, Wiseman Crossing
Station, Virden, Winston and Vaughns Mill.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with these storms, and may
cause localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
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.
If you are on or near Cave Run Lake, 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
these storms pass.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 900 PM EDT for
southeastern and east central Kentucky.
LAT...LON 3826 8352 3819 8364 3819 8360 3812 8360
3815 8357 3758 8397 3757 8410 3764 8413
3767 8409 3781 8408 3782 8409 3781 8412
3782 8411 3785 8406 3783 8400 3787 8403
3787 8402 3793 8397 3812 8408 3829 8386
TIME...MOT...LOC 2053Z 305DEG 30KT 3828 8404 3776 8442
KASSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service JACKSON KY
528 PM EDT Sun May 26 2019
KYZ044-051-052-059-060-104-106-262215-
Rowan-Elliott-Menifee-Morgan-Fleming-Bath-Powell-
528 PM EDT Sun May 26 2019
...A LINE OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL AFFECT NORTHEASTERN POWELL...
SOUTHEASTERN BATH...MORGAN...MENIFEE...SOUTHEASTERN FLEMING...ROWAN
AND ELLIOTT COUNTIES...
At 528 PM EDT, radar indicated strong thunderstorms were located
along a line extending from Ringos Mills to near Bean. Movement was
east at 40 mph.
Winds in excess of 40 mph are possible with these storms.
Locations impacted include...
Morehead, West Liberty, Sandy Hook, Frenchburg, Henry, Wellington,
Salt Lick, Campsites in the Indian Creek area of the Daniel Boone
National Forrest, Zag, Bowen, Moon, Florress, Cornwell, Elliottville,
Rothwell, Lick Branch, Pekin, Christy, Omer and Hilda.
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.
Persons in campgrounds should consider seeking sturdy shelter until
these storms pass.
LAT...LON 3819 8327 3819 8324 3827 8317 3818 8305
3821 8301 3817 8298 3818 8292 3816 8291
3805 8295 3800 8302 3796 8300 3788 8304
3790 8313 3787 8312 3784 8348 3786 8350
3784 8352 3781 8382 3832 8352 3836 8337
TIME...MOT...LOC 2128Z 260DEG 46KT 3828 8360 3792 8381
KASSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service JACKSON KY
542 PM EDT Sun May 26 2019
KYZ058-059-068-069-111-262230-
Jackson-Lee-Estill-Rockcastle-Powell-
542 PM EDT Sun May 26 2019
...A LINE OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL AFFECT SOUTH CENTRAL POWELL...
ESTILL...NORTHERN JACKSON...ROCKCASTLE AND WESTERN LEE COUNTIES...
At 542 PM EDT, radar indicated strong thunderstorms were located
along a line extending from near Richmond to 6 miles north of
Liberty. Movement was east at 40 mph.
Winds in excess of 40 mph are possible with these storms.
Locations impacted include...
Irvine, Mount Vernon, McKee, Boone, Ravenna, Pilot, Donaro, Bummer,
Leeco, Robinet, Gum Sulphur, Horse Lick, Spiro, Wiseman Crossing
Station, Climax, Winston, Renfro Valley, Patsey, Disputanta and
Shirley.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with these storms, and may
cause localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
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.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 900 PM EDT for
south central, southeastern and east central Kentucky.
LAT...LON 3748 8444 3747 8438 3754 8435 3751 8426
3752 8420 3756 8416 3757 8409 3765 8413
3767 8409 3777 8408 3774 8369 3772 8371
3767 8362 3750 8386 3752 8388 3749 8388
3728 8420 3733 8450
TIME...MOT...LOC 2142Z 272DEG 37KT 3772 8422 3741 8495
KASThe Jackson,KY radar (KJKL), 100 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 22:09 UTC.
10 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
Dispatch reported trees were blown down all across the county, including across several roads near Brodhead as well as Mt. Vernon.
Emergency Management relayed reports of trees blown down across the central part of the county, including in McKee. An electric power pole was also observed to be burning on Kentucky Highway 1071 southeast of McKee.
Dispatch reported a tree blown down along Lower Wolfe Creek Road south of Booneville.
Dispatch relayed a report of a tree down on Kentucky Highway 1833 near Buckhorn Lake and Gays Creek.
A citizen observed a tree blown down along Kentucky Highway 476 near Hardshell.
Dispatch reported a tree blown down on Wolf Creek Road near Pilgrim.
Dispatch reported a tree blown down on Kentucky Highway 15 near Robert W. Combs Elementary School east of Jeff, as well as a power line downed on Lotts Creek Road to the north of the school.
Dispatch relayed reports of trees blown down in the Bevinsville area.
Dispatch reported trees downed in the Blaze Branch area south of Dorton.
Dispatch reported trees blown down on Kentucky Highway 194 near Phelps.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Kentucky in 2019Every state in 2019This day in weather historyWarnings in Kentucky, 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: 815815, 815816, 815817, 815818, 815819, 815820, 815821, 815822, 815823, 815824.