Tornadoes and Hail in Kentucky, April 13, 2022

The county highway crew was checking on a report of a tree down.

A tree was down along Kentucky 259 near Sample.

There were trees down on Possum Hollow Road.

There was a report of a roof blown off of a home south of Custer.

A tree was snapped and destroyed a chicken coop in Sunfish.

Quarter size hail was reported in Howe Valley.

There was wind damage to the roof of a barn. Half the roof was blown off.

Outbuildings were destroyed along Cub Run Highway, near Dog Creek Road.

There was a report of baseball sized hail near Radcliff.

A few trees were snapped and uprooted, causing significant damage to a backyard fence.

A National Weather Service storm survey team in coordination with Larue County Emergency Management surveyed damage in southern Larue County from storms that occurred on Wednesday evening. It was determined that a brief EF-1 tornado that was embedded within a larger area of straight-line winds touched down 1.3 miles southeast of Upton, traveled east for just over 2.5 miles, and then lifted 3 miles east-southeast of Upton. The EF-1 tornado had a max wind of around 100 mph, and a max path width of around 200 yards.

The tornado touched down at solid EF-1 strength just northwest of the intersection of Weldon Loop Road and Watkins Alvey Road where a small barn was completely destroyed, and debris was scattered in many directions almost a half mile to the northeast. In addition, a small lean-to section of another barn was thrown back to the northwest, clear evidence of cyclonic rotation. Hardwood trees just downstream from the barn were also snapped and laying in a convergent pattern, offering more support for tornadic winds.

The tornado continued roughly eastward along Weldon Loop Road where it did some light damage to a barn roof and brought down large limbs from a hardwood tree. This damage occurred near the intersection of Johnson Road and Weldon Loop Road, and was in the EF-0 strength range. The tornado continued to the ENE along Weldon Loop Road at EF- 0 strength as it caused minor roof damage to a house, and damaged a greenhouse near the intersection of Wheeler and Wheldon Loop Roads. The tornado finished the last half mile of its path along Upton Talley Road where it uprooted or snapped softwood trees, damaged barns, and did minor fascia and shingle damage to a couple of homes. The tornado lifted about a quarter mile past the Upton Talley and Lanny Heath Roads intersection.

It should be noted that this brief tornado occurred within a larger area of straight-line wind damage where some older barns were destroyed and numerous softwood and hardwood trees were snapped or uprooted. However, the damage was mainly laying in an east-northeast direction consistent with overall storm motion and a straight-line wind signature. It was considered to make this damage part of the overall tornado, however the path width would have been over a half mile wide, which is unlikely for brief spin-up tornadoes embedded in a QLCS.

It should also be noted that more sporadic, and overall weaker, straight-line wind damage continued eastward along a consistent path across southern Larue county. Most of this damage was consistent with winds between 60 and 70 mph toward and just north of the Magnolia community and points eastward.

There was a 72 mph measured wind gust at the NWS Louisville office.

A concentrated area of intense straight-line winds developed in the Okolona area, with the National Weather Service office anemometer measuring 72 mph. Part of the NWS security fence was knocked down, and some large limbs were knocked down off the Smyrna Road exit towards McNeely Lake Park. Several trees fell down in the Hillview area near the Bullitt County line. All of the trees were facing from the west southwest to the east northeasterly direction.

The tornado initially touched down just east of Beulah Church Rd, near Adams Run Road which is just south of I-265. Trees were facing from the northeast through the southeast primarily in a 100 yard swath with a lot of straight line winds surrounding the 80 mph twister. Two barns sustained roof panel damage.

The tornado became very intermittent along Cedar Creek Road to Gentry Lane with tops of pine and cedar trees sheared off and with shingle and sporadic roof damage on some homes. Winds were 75 to 80 mph in this area.

The tornado increased to EF1 in the Glenmary Reserves subdivision. The tornado drone video showing a distinct swirl in the trees from the north through the southeasterly directions. Trees were snapped, uprooted, and laying on top of power lines. Winds were around 90 mph in this area, with a width of 150 yards. There was extensive shingle damage, gutter damage, flashing, at several homes. The tornado increased in width to 175 yards and speed along Providence Road. There was more extensive damage to the roofing structures of several homes. One house in particular had wind enter its roof soffit, blowing building material out the western side. The house insulation was thrown around three sides of the home. Wind speeds in this area were estimated to be 97 mph with a width of 125 yards. A Ford Ranger, parked in another driveway was picked up and slid 11 yards, with house insulation on three sides of the truck.

There were several road signs twisted and mangled too. The tornado continued towards the entrance of the Glenmary Reserves subdivision off Bardstown Road. There was extensive tree damage, especially cedars and pines, facing from the north-northeast, through the southeasterly direction. Trees were uprooted, snapped, and slightly sheared off. The 88-D radar showed a distinct debris ball in the area we found the tornado.

The tornado crossed Bardstown Road striking at least two vehicles, thankfully there were no injuries. The tornado continued in the Glenmary subdivision with numerous homes having shingle and roof damamge along with plenty of trees down. One home in particular had the 85-90 mph wind get in through the attached garage. This caused a massive structural failure in the roofing structure, with roof decking and insulation thrown up into the trees from a northerly to a southeasterly direction. Insulation was thrown around three sides of the house.

The owner of the house described intense ear pressure when the tornado went over his house.The tornado weakened by the far eastern part of the Glenmary subdivision lifted at that point. There was still one and two story home damage. Most of the damage to the homes was related to shingle, flashing, and siding. Winds were generally around 80 mph. Wind speeds, along the sporadic tree damage, at the end point were 75 mph by Hidden Valley Way with a width of 100 yards.

South Louisville (Big Run Creek to Turkey Run Park)...

Very sporadic tree damage was found with drones and binoculars around the park. Park Rangers took us through the park and it was very hard to find more than isolated damage points here and there. Winds were EFO with winds in the 75-80 mph range.

The tornado really became more distinct on the eastern entrance of Turkey Run Park and especially along Echo Trail Road. At 7401 Echo Trail numerous trees were topped, sheared off, and twisted, and facing from north northeast to east southeast. Winds were 80 to 85 mph in this area. Shingle and gutter damage was noted along Echo Trail and then it headed into the hilly rugged area of Echo Trail Rd and Hickory Valley Road. Larger hardwood trees were snapped and uprooted, an outbuilding lost its roof and 2 deer stands were destroyed. Wind in this area were 90 mph EF1 with a width of 75 yards. Residents heard a distinct freight train sound and ears were popping.

The National Weather Service in Louisville in coordination with LaRue County Emergency Management confirmed an EF0 tornado in south- central LaRue County. The tornado touched down just west of Logan Despain Road, causing damage to the metal roof of a farm outbuilding, and complete destruction of a lean-to attachment on the side of the same farm outbuilding. The tornado then crossed Greensburg Road near Brownfield Creek, heading towards Mount Tabor Road. One home on Mount Tabor Road suffered minor roof damage, and the home across the road had several healthy pine trees snapped as the tornado continued on its path. The tornado continued east- northeast on the north side of Mount Tabor Road, causing several hardwood trees to fall in the directions of north or northeast. Cyclonic curvature of the fallen trees was made evident when NWS Louisville flew their drone over that area. Some roof damage and barn door damage occurred about 450 yards west of the intersection of Mount Tabor Road and Bennett Road. The tornado continued just north of Mount Tabor Baptist Church and crossed Mount Tabor Road once again about 175 yards north of Bennett Road. When doing so, the EF0 tornado caused softwood tree damage and lifted and destroyed a carport. The tornado then continued towards Hinton`s Orchard and Farm Market. The orchard had partial loss of its metal roof on the western side of the building. The property also has several greenhouses damaged. The tornado then crossed Campbellsville Road and dissipated a short distance later. Winds were consistently estimated to be between 75-85 MPH along the damage path.

Trees were down in the area.

A small and narrow tornado touched down on the 600 block of Plum Creek Road in far western Spencer County. The 30 yard wide tornado caused extensive roof damage. Insulation was thrown from the northeast to the southeasterly direction and blown into trees. A large older satellite dish was thrown 20 yards and wedged in between 2 trees. The homeowner described a frightening tale of intense wind and a roaring sound. Doppler weather radar showed a nub on the squall line reflectivity, which corresponded well with where the twister touched down.

The next house up the street had some minor roof damage and there were several trees down in different directions.

Trees and power lines were down on Blair Road.

The tornado touched down causing sporadic tree damage on a farm in northeast Spencer county. Drone video showed a few snapped and twisted trees. The tornado then hit the Meadow Lake subdivision causing shingle, flashing, siding, and gutter damage at several homes. A chicken coop was destroyed, and trees fell from the northeast through the southeasterly direction. There were even a few small tree limbs that were driven into the ground. Wind speeds in this area were estimated to be 80 mph, and a width of 60 yards.

A resident reported hearing a roaring sound, and were thankful for the early tornado warnings to seek shelter.

Straight line winds damaged a barn.

A narrow tornado touched down along Tatum Road in Central Shelby County, Wednesday evening. The tornado topped some trees initially, and then picked up a dog house and uprooting some cedar and maple trees. There was shingle damage to a small home, and residents heard intense wind and felt a strong pressure change. Wind speeds in this area where 80 mph, and 50 yards wide.

The tornado caused the most significant damage to a large older barn, removing and twisting a lot of metal sheeting and roof panels. Another 15 by 10 foot metal outbuilding had its roof removed. Drone video show the debris pattern twisting up into the trees up to 150 yards to the east northeast.

The rope tornado quickly lifted in a grove of trees just east of the metal outbuilding along Tatum Road.

The National Weather Service in Louisville confirmed an EF-1 tornado in South Central Shelby County. The tornado touched down along Rockbridge Road, about 3 miles east southeast of Interstate 64 at exit 35. Three barns had significant roof and panel damage. The wood debris from the barns impaled the ground, and insulation and metal sheeting went up into the trees and twisted. Trees were facing from a northerly direction, to an east southeasterly direction. This is consistent with a tornado of 90 mph strength.

Drone footage showed several different types of trees twisted and sheared off at the very top. The tornado lifted just past the third barn approximately 200 yards eastward in a grove of trees. Residents of the two homes affected heard a distinct roaring sound, and strong pressure around the sinuses and ears.

A large tree was blown over on top of a house.

There was roof damage to outbuildings on Frank Lee Road.

Part of the roof was blown off a home on Sallie Ray Pike.

A large tree was down in the Forest Hills Subdivision.

The National Weather Service in Louisville confirmed an EF-1 tornado in Eastern Shelby County. The tornado touched down just west of 2402 Highway 714, twisting a bunch of cedar trees, and then crossing 714 doing extensive tree damage. Trees were twisted, snapped, uprooted, and facing from north through southeasterly directions. The tornado uprooted and snapped dozens of trees on Bob Jeff Road, destroying one barn, just north of I-64. Large sections of the 30 by 20 solid barn were thrown 60 yards and several 2 X 4 boards were impaled in the ground. Strangely enough, a large chicken coop next to the barn which was on blocks was not moved at all. The survey crew was a bit perplexed when they located a large dismantled barn on Wolf Run. Parts of the barn were thrown 250 yards downwind. There were straight line winds in between 659 Bob Jeff Road and the barn on the southside of I-64 on Wolf Run Road. Based on radar, there was at least 2 small funnels from the same larger circulation, and for a brief time, two of them touched down, each about 100 yards wide. However, they were part of the same mesovortex with max wind of 90 mph. Another interesting thing about the solid barn on Wolf Run Road, is that a hoop barn, and an older barn, both of which were on both sides of the dismantled barn, had only minor damage. In fact, the long narrow hoop barn, only 10 yards away, was left unscathed. Along Buzzard Roost Road, just east of the Shelby Knobs. An older barn`s metal sheeting, and sections of the roof were thrown up to 300 yards east northeast. Maximum wind speeds in this area were 80 mph. A 15 by 10 foot storage outbuilding was picked up and debris thrown up to 300 yards. A large oak tree was uprooted and leaning on top of a well built house. Numerous pine and cedar trees were snapped and twisted. Several other barns had significant roof and side panel damage. Wind speeds in this area were 90 mph. The tornado straddled Highway 60, and did significant telephone pole damage and tree damage all along Highway 60. Poles were twisted and snapped over a 1 mile area. Wind speeds in this area were 90 mph. The last tornado damage point was along Highway 395 in Peytona. A couple of barns had minor roof damage and a couple of trees were snapped. Winds were estimated to be 75 mph at this location.

Straight line winds damaged a barn.

A storage building collapsed.

There was a tree on power lines along Mays Chapel Road.

Trees were down at the intersection of Leestown Road and North Yarnallton Pike.

Trees were down at the intersection of Leestown Road and Opportunity Way.

There were trees down on Blenheim Way.

Trees were down on Lansdowne Drive.

Trees were down on Cooper Drive near Colony Boulevard.

Trees were down at the intersection of Hume Road and Ami Lane.

A garage was destroyed on Nina Ridge Road.

There was a report of a tree and power lines down at the intersection of Scaffold Cane Road and Bratcher Lane.

A tree was down blocking Sara Leigh Drive.

A metal shed was blown off of its foundation. Shingles were also missing from the house.