Flash Flooding and Damaging Winds in Kentucky, August 12 to 14, 2020

Name: Flash Flooding and Damaging Winds in Kentucky, August 12 to 14, 2020
Start: 2020-08-12T12:15
End: 2020-08-14T17:37
Location: Kentucky

August 12 to 14, 2020 · NWS LMK · 13 events in 6 counties and zones

During this period, a stationary front extended near the Ohio River. This served as a focus for the development of isolated severe thunderstorms, but the main event was heavy rainfall that broke out during the early morning of August 14th.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it. Tap one for its entry below.

Tornadoes
Tropical storms and surge
Floods
Wind
Hail
Winter weather
Heat and drought
Cold
Fire, smoke and dust
Marine and coastal
Other

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths: 0
Injuries: 0
Property damage: $10,000
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 13

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.

What happened

The episode as NWS LMK wrote it up.

What forecasters said that day

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 Louisville, KY wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Aug 12, 11:29 AM CST, 46 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Aug 12, 11:29 AM CST, 46 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Louisville KY
129 PM EDT Wed Aug 12 2020

...Updated Aviation Discussion...

.Short Term...(Today and tonight)
Issued at 309 AM EDT Wed Aug 12 2020

Things are quiet/dry across the CWA at this hour, with the only real
concern through sunrise being some patchy fog. Overall, still think
the variable cloudiness will play a mitigating factor to more
widespread and/or dense fog. Will keep an eye on it.

As we move past sunrise, expect chances for showers and storms to
increase mainly along and west of I-65 as a closed upper low slowly
begins to push into our region. This feature will be accompanied by
a pretty moist atmospheric column as precipitable water values jump
over 2" through the column, especially across our SW CWA where the
highest pops will reside later this afternoon into the evening. In
addition to a very moist atmosphere, moderate instability (1500/2000
J/KG CAPE) is expected to develop later this afternoon. Overall deep
layer shear should be less than 20 knots, so not expecting any storm
organization, although a few strong storms are possible with gusty
winds and locally torrential rainfall. May have to at least keep an
eye on an isolated flood threat with any slow moving or training
storms.

Most highs today should top out in the 85 to 90 degree range, with
upper sky cover playing a big role in overall temps. Most of the
convection should die off with the loss of heating later this
evening into tonight, however with the moist airmass hanging around
and the upper low still in the area, will keep some pops. Still like
the best coverage across our southern CWA.

.Long Term...(Thursday through Tuesday)
Issued at 318 AM EDT Wed Aug 12 2020

Thursday through Saturday Night...

Upper trough axis is forecast to be west of the region at the
beginning of the period with a remnant surface frontal boundary
stalled out across the region.  Several disturbances are forecast to
move through the region aloft and will interact with the remnant
surface boundary.  Over the past few days, the models have trended a
bit further south with this boundary and it looks to remain centered
over the northern TN valley.  Should this be the case, we're likely
to see more of a gradient of PoPs across the region, with higher
chances in the south and lesser chances in areas north of the Ohio
River.

The first in a series of waves looks to move through the region on
Thursday and into Friday.  Main PoP focus will be in the afternoon
and early evening with convection likely diminishing after sunset
with the loss of heating.  Given the recent trends in the models,
have applied a gradient of PoP across the region for Thu and Friday
with higher chances down in southern KY with slightly lesser chances
across the north.

The period is not forecast to be a washout by any means and some
areas will pick up decent amounts of rainfall, while other areas may
not see much at all.  Given the weak flow aloft and high PWAT values
(especially in southern KY), convection will likely feature
efficient rainers with gusty winds and lightning being the secondary
threats.  Localized rainfall amounts could be heavy where storms
train over areas and while basin averages of around 0.5-1.0 inch
look likely, can't really rule out some localized 3-4+ inch amounts
in some areas which may result in localized flooding issues.

Temps are likely to remain just below seasonal normals with highs in
the mid-upper 80s.  A few spots may touch 90, especially in the
urban centers. Overnight lows in the mid-upper 60s with low 70s in
the urban areas are expected during the period.

Sunday through Tuesday...

By late in the weekend and into early next week, the upper level
flow pattern across the CONUS will become amplified once again with
a large ridge in the western US and a deep trough in the east.  With
the trough axis developing, a surface cold front will likely push
through the region late Sunday and into Monday.  Showers and storms
are expected ahead of this front with a sharp cut off in
precipitation production behind the front.  Still seeing a bit of
spatial/temporal spread in the frontal passage, but overall the
models seem to be keying in on the Sunday Night/Monday time frame.

The larger story here is that behind this front, another shot of
cooler and drier air will infiltrate the region early next week.
Highs Sunday and Monday will be the warmest with mid-upper 80s
expected.  However, temps are likely only to top out in the mid-
upper 70s for Tuesday and Wednesday.  Overnight lows Tuesday night
and Wednesday night look to drop into the mid-upper 50s, but
slightly colder conditions are possible if we have less cloud cover
than expected.

&&

.Aviation...(18Z TAF Issuance)
Issued at 120 PM EDT Wed Aug 12 2020

Current radar imagery shows showers and storms blossoming across
south-central KY this afternoon in a warm and moist environment.
Convection will continue through this evening and is then expected
to diminish towards sunset as we lose daytime heating. While most of
the activity is expected to remain in the BWG vicinity, may also see
some showers and storms pop-up at HNB/SDF later this afternoon.
Besides some brief reductions in visibility within stronger storms
today, expect VFR conditions to prevail through the period. May once
again see patchy fog develop tonight, but confidence remains too low
to include mention in this set of TAFs. Tomorrow afternoon will then
bring renewed chances for showers and storms.

&&

.LMK WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
IN...None.
KY...None.
&&

Short Term...BJS
Long Term...MJ
Aviation...JML

Hazardous weather outlook, Aug 12, 9:07 AM CST, 3 hours 8 minutes before

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Louisville KY
1107 AM EDT Wed Aug 12 2020

INZ076>079-083-084-089>092-KYZ023>034-038-039-045>047-053>055-
061>066-070>078-081-082-131515-
Orange-Washington-Scott-Jefferson-Dubois-Crawford-Perry-Harrison-
Floyd-Clark-Hancock-Breckinridge-Meade-Ohio-Grayson-Hardin-Bullitt-
Oldham-Trimble-Henry-Shelby-Spencer-Anderson-Nelson-Mercer-Larue-
Marion-Boyle-Butler-Edmonson-Hart-Green-Taylor-Casey-Logan-Warren-
Simpson-Allen-Barren-Monroe-Metcalfe-Adair-Russell-Cumberland-
Clinton-
Including the cities of Paoli, Salem, Scottsburg, Madison, Jasper,
English, Tell City, Corydon, New Albany, Jeffersonville, Lewisport,
Hawesville, Hardinsburg, Brandenburg, Hartford, Leitchfield,
Elizabethtown, Shepherdsville, Louisville, La Grange, Bedford,
Milton, New Castle, Shelbyville, Taylorsville, Lawrenceburg,
Bardstown, Springfield, Harrodsburg, Hodgenville, Lebanon, Danville,
Morgantown, Brownsville, Horse Cave, Greensburg, Campbellsville,
Liberty, Russellville, Bowling Green, Franklin, Providence,
Scottsville, Glasgow, Tompkinsville, Edmonton, Columbia, Jamestown,
Burkesville, and Albany
1107 AM EDT Wed Aug 12 2020 /1007 AM CDT Wed Aug 12 2020/

This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of south central
Indiana and Central Kentucky.

.DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight.

Scattered to numerous afternoon and evening thunderstorms can be
expected later today and tonight as heat and humidity continue. The
main threats from these storms will be locally gusty winds and heavy
rainfall.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday.

Scattered to numerous afternoon and evening thunderstorms can be
expected from Thursday onward as heat and humidity continue. The
main threats from these storms will be locally gusty winds and heavy
rainfall.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotters should report any stronger wind gusts as well as heavier
rainfall totals or flooding.

KYZ035>037-040>043-048-049-056-057-067-131515-
Franklin-Scott-Harrison-Woodford-Fayette-Bourbon-Nicholas-Jessamine-
Clark-Garrard-Madison-Lincoln-
Including the cities of Frankfort, Georgetown, Cynthiana,
Versailles, Lexington, Paris, Carlisle, Nicholasville, Winchester,
Lancaster, Richmond, and Stanford
1107 AM EDT Wed Aug 12 2020

This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of east central
Kentucky.

.DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight.

No hazardous weather is expected at this time.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday.

Scattered to numerous afternoon and evening thunderstorms can be
expected from Thursday onward as heat and humidity continue. The
main threats from these storms will be locally gusty winds and heavy
rainfall.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotters should report any stronger wind gusts as well as heavier
rainfall totals or flooding.

BJS/MJ/JML

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Aug 12, 9:47 AM CST, 2 hours 28 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Louisville KY
1047 AM CDT Wed Aug 12 2020

KYZ070-121615-
Logan-
1047 AM CDT Wed Aug 12 2020

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT NORTHWESTERN LOGAN COUNTY...

At 1047 AM CDT, a strong thunderstorm was located over Russellville,
moving northeast at 5 mph.

Winds in excess of 40 mph and half inch hail are possible with this
storm.

Locations impacted include...
Russellville, Lewisburg, Justice, Cooperstown, Gordonsville, Danby,
Spa, Edwards, Epleys and Crossroad.

Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and may cause
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.

LAT...LON 3690 8706 3700 8703 3693 8676 3684 8686
      3681 8693 3682 8706
TIME...MOT...LOC 1547Z 221DEG 6KT 3686 8692

DM

Special weather statement, Aug 12, 10:42 AM CST, 1 hour 33 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Louisville KY
1142 AM CDT Wed Aug 12 2020

KYZ071-121715-
Warren-
1142 AM CDT Wed Aug 12 2020

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT SOUTHWESTERN WARREN COUNTY...

At 1142 AM CDT, a strong thunderstorm was located over Memphis
Junction. The storm is nearly stationary.

Winds in excess of 40 mph and pea size hail are possible with this
storm.

Locations impacted include...
Bowling Green, Plum Springs, Memphis Junction, Mount Victor,
Crestmoor, Browning, Barren River, Blue Level, Rich Pond and
Rockfield.

Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and may cause
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.

LAT...LON 3690 8662 3691 8663 3707 8657 3700 8632
      3684 8648
TIME...MOT...LOC 1642Z 205DEG 4KT 3694 8653

DM

Special weather statement, Aug 12, 11:57 AM CST, 18 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Louisville KY
1257 PM CDT Wed Aug 12 2020

KYZ071-121830-
Warren-
1257 PM CDT Wed Aug 12 2020

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT NORTHEASTERN WARREN COUNTY...

At 1257 PM CDT, a strong thunderstorm was located near Mount Victor,
moving northeast at 5 mph.

Wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph and penny size hail are possible with this
storm.

Locations impacted include...
Bowling Green, Mount Victor, Smiths Grove, Oakland, Bristow,
Hardcastle, Sunnyside, Gotts, Polkville and Greenhill.

Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and may cause
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.

LAT...LON 3691 8637 3696 8642 3710 8631 3708 8628
      3708 8627 3702 8614 3690 8632
TIME...MOT...LOC 1757Z 227DEG 5KT 3697 8633

DM

The radar

The Nashville radar (KOHX), 86 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 18:16 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

9 flash flood, 4 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Warren

When: August 12, 12:15 PM CST
Where: Warren County, 1.49 mi NNW of Gotts
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: 911 Call Center
Coordinates: 36.990, -86.310

A tree fell on the 4000 block of Sunnyside Gotts Road.

Thunderstorm Wind, Jefferson

When: August 13, 1:00 PM EST
Where: Jefferson County, 0.54 mi E of Pleasure Ridge Park
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 38.150, -85.770

Multiple trees were uprooted near New Cut Road and Southside Drive.

Flash Flood, Monroe

When: August 13, 3:32 PM CST to 4:32 PM CST
Where: Monroe County, 1.52 mi NNW of Otia to 1.95 mi NW of Otia
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: 911 Call Center
Coordinates: 36.699, -85.584

Highway 100 East, approximately 3 miles east of Tompkinsville, was completely flooded.

Flash Flood, Hancock

When: August 14, 2:27 AM CST to 4:27 AM CST
Where: Hancock County, 1.29 mi WSW of Skillman to 1.09 mi WSW of Skillman
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: 911 Call Center
Coordinates: 37.860, -86.700

There was high water over a bridge near the 2600 block of Squirrel Tail Hollow Road.

Flash Flood, Hancock

When: August 14, 3:13 AM CST to 5:13 AM CST
Where: Hancock County, 1.77 mi WSW of Adair to 2.02 mi WSW of Adair
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: 911 Call Center
Coordinates: 37.940, -86.860

There was high water over railroad tracks between the 1200 and 1400 block of Lee Henderson Road.

Flash Flood, Hancock

When: August 14, 4:15 AM CST to 6:15 AM CST
Where: Hancock County, 0.88 mi SE of Lewisport to 1.82 mi S of Lewisport
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 37.920, -86.890

County Route 657 was closed due to flooding.

Flash Flood, Hancock

When: August 14, 4:37 AM CST to 6:37 AM CST
Where: Hancock County, 2.34 mi SSW of Adair to 2.1 mi SSW of Adair
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: 911 Call Center
Coordinates: 37.920, -86.850

Frank Luttrell Road was flooded between the 300 and 700 blocks.

Flash Flood, Jefferson

When: August 14, 6:30 AM EST to 8:30 AM EST
Where: Jefferson County, 1.36 mi W of Prairie Vlg to 1.31 mi SSE of Valley Station
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 38.103, -85.855

A video showed a car was submerged on Grafton Hall Road.

Flash Flood, Jefferson

When: August 14, 6:40 AM EST to 7:40 AM EST
Where: Jefferson County, 0.69 mi N of Prairie Vlg to 0.85 mi ENE of Prairie Vlg
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 38.110, -85.830

Water covered area roadways after 4.6 inches of rain fell between 4 and 7:30 AM.

Flash Flood, Hardin

When: August 14, 7:36 AM EST to 9:36 AM EST
Where: Hardin County, 1.1 mi SE of Long View to 1.08 mi E of Rineyville
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: State Official
Coordinates: 37.767, -85.908

Flowing water shut down parts of Boone Road.

Flash Flood, Jefferson

When: August 14, 7:46 AM EST to 9:46 AM EST
Where: Jefferson County, 2.14 mi NE of Medora to 1.63 mi E of Orell
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 38.070, -85.840

Flash flooding was reported along Blevins Gap Road near Crane Run Creek.

Thunderstorm Wind, Allen

When: August 14, 5:36 PM CST
Where: Allen County, 2.77 mi W of Scottsville
Measured: 51 kt (59 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 36.750, -86.230

A large tree fell on a power line and was burning.

Thunderstorm Wind, Allen

When: August 14, 5:37 PM CST
Where: Allen County, 2.48 mi WSW of Scottsville
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: 911 Call Center
Coordinates: 36.739, -86.223

Trees blew down on side streets, including Walker Way and Lone Oak Drive, around Highway 100.

What these are

Thunderstorm Wind: Winds from a thunderstorm of 50 knots (58 mph) or more, or lower winds that caused damage or casualties. Measured gusts are marked MG, estimated EG.
Flash Flood: Flooding that begins within six hours of the rain that causes it, or of a dam or levee failure or ice jam release, often with deadly speed.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Kentucky in 2020 Every state in 2020 This day in weather history Warnings in Kentucky, August 2020

Sources

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: 918705, 918706, 918516, 918680, 918684, 918698, 918699, 918701, 918702, 918703, 918704, 918707, 918708.