Tornado and Flash Flooding in Kentucky, July 18, 2023

Name: Tornado and Flash Flooding in Kentucky, July 18, 2023
Start: 2023-07-18T00:09
End: 2023-07-18T20:59
Location: Kentucky

July 18, 2023 · NWS LMK · 22 events in 12 counties and zones

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: None recorded
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 22

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.

Another active period of weather set up across central Kentucky and southern Indiana July 17th and 18th, 2023 as multiple waves of showers and thunderstorms moved across the region, bringing damaging straight-line winds, severe hail, and one tornado to the region. The synoptic pattern was fairly consistent (albeit active) during this period, with large-scale mid- and upper-level troughing extending from Hudson Bay down into the Ohio Valley. In the low-levels, a quasi-stationary front extended from the mid-Mississippi Valley across central Indiana and into northern Ohio, with a seasonably warm and unstable air mass present across the Ohio Valley, which was primarily located south of the low-level frontal boundary. The first wave of strong to severe storms developed during the late afternoon hours in the vicinity of the frontal boundary across central Indiana. As these cells morphed into a quasi-linear convective system during the evening hours, the combined cold pool development forced the storms southward into southern Indiana and central Kentucky. Ahead of the line of storms, mixed-layer CAPE on the order of 1500-2500 J/kg and effective bulk shear of 30-40 kt provided a favorable parameter space to sustain strong-to-severe convection. This line of storms ultimately produced sporadic wind damage and near-severe hail across southern Indiana and north central Kentucky, with convection lingering into south central Kentucky overnight before gradually dissipating in the early morning hours on July 18th.

While sporadic convection continued through the morning hours on July 18th, the next main wave of strong and occasionally severe thunderstorms arrived during the early afternoon hours. With unseasonably fast flow continuing aloft, wind shear remained sufficient for multicell clusters and a few supercells to develop across central Kentucky. Instability remained moderate to high, with low-to-mid 70s dewpoints and temperatures in the 80s allowing for the development of 2000-3000 J/kg MLCAPE. This initial wave of cells produced scattered wind damage and hail mainly across the Kentucky Bluegrass. Additionally, a decaying mesoscale convective system coming in from western Kentucky also produced scattered wind damage across southern and central Kentucky. One brief spin-up tornado developed within this line over Marion County, producing EF0 damage. Convection dissipated once the line of storms cleared the area around sunset. As a result of multiple waves of heavy rainfall moving over the same areas, scattered occurrences of flooding were observed across the area, with the most concentrated area of flooding occurring over eastern Jefferson County and Shelby County, Kentucky.

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 Jul 17, 11:50 PM EST, 19 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Jul 17, 11:50 PM EST, 19 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Louisville KY
1250 AM EDT Tue Jul 18 2023

...Updated Aviation Discussion...

.Mesoscale Update...
Issued at 856 PM EDT Thu Jul 17 2023

A line of thunderstorms working through central Indiana is
expected to continue southward and bring rain and thunder chances
to the area. The latest 700MB-925MB wind analysis has winds out of
the west, which will continue the current trend of the line of
storms propagating more east than south, although a shallow
surface oriented cold front will continue a slight southward push
of the storms.

Right now, not a lot of model guidance has a great
handle on the situation, although the NAM3KM model has the most
realistic simulation. The atmosphere in front of the line is
conducive for continued forward movement and sustenance. Latest
observed sounding out of Cincinnati, OH has a lot of instability
(CAPE values > 3000 J/KG) but lacks magnitude of wind aloft and
shear. With the amount of CAPE, hail seems to be the main threat
and heavy rain.

Latest timing track has time of arrival into south central IN
counties in about 2 hours around 11 PM EDT and progressing
southward into the overnight hours.

.Short Term...(This evening through Tuesday)
Issued at 255 PM EDT Mon Jul 17 2023

Key Messages:

- Strong to severe storms could produce gusty winds, hail & heavy
rain through this evening

Sfc cold front draped from NW Ohio across northern Indiana and back
into west-central Illinois. Skies are mostly clear across southern
Illinois and Indiana, with heating and instability at least somewhat
limited by high-level smoke. Boundaries to focus convection are not
well-defined, and there is no Cu field just yet, so exactly when and
where convection will initiate remains uncertain. Hi-res models are
only providing so much help as run-to-run consistency is lacking.

Our best shot at T-storm initiation is between 22Z and 0Z Tue,
somewhere near the Ohio River. Anything that does develop will have
moderate instability and decent shear to work with, so multi-cell
clusters are the most likely mode and we could briefly see a few
discrete cells mainly over SW Indiana. Steep low-level lapse rates
will support damaging wind gusts, with locally heavy rain possible
in areas that see repeated storms. If anything shows supercell
characteristics, large hail is also possible. Storm coverage and
intensity will diminish around midnight, but can't rule out isolated
overnight storms in a warm and muggy environment. Also will need to
watch MCS development north of St Louis, as that convection could
congeal into a complex that could track into south-central Kentucky
around daybreak Tuesday.

.Long Term...(Tuesday night through Monday)
Issued at 315 PM EDT Mon Jul 17 2023

...Heavy Rainfall and Flash Flooding Possible Late Tuesday Night and
Wednesday Morning...

 Key Messages:

 - Confidence increasing in a substantial rainfall event Tuesday
night into Wednesday morning. Flash flooding is possible, and a low-
end severe threat also exists.

 - Subsequent waves of showers and thunderstorms are expected
Wednesday and Thursday. Thunderstorms will produce heavy rainfall
and lightning, and a few strong storms cannot be ruled out.

 - Quieter weather for Friday and the weekend.

Discussion:

The potential for a significant flash flooding event across portions
of western and southern KY exists late Tuesday night into Wednesday
morning. A slow-moving surface frontal boundary will be draped from
west to east across the lower Ohio and mid-Mississippi Valley, with
latest progs having the boundary lying just north of the KY/TN
border. Tuesday evening, a mid-level shortwave will eject
southeastward from northern MO to western KY, with low-level
response occurring as a LLJ strengthens across the MO bootheel and
western KY. Multiple ingredients favor the development of a corridor
of heavy precipitation in the vicinity of the sfc frontal boundary.
First, an abnormally moist air mass will be present across the area,
with Precipitable Water values near or exceeding 2 inches. Second,
the low-level (850-925 mb) jet will be nearly perpendicular to the
surface boundary, with large-scale moist ascent expected to occur.
Third, mid-upper jet core will be west of the region, with left exit
region promoting large scale ascent across western KY. Finally,
there will be non-negligible elevated instability, with some
convective properties likely in any precipitation which develops
Tuesday night.

12Z guidance has shifted the expected corridor of heaviest
precipitation 50-75 miles southwest, with the current zone most
likely to see the heaviest rainfall stretching NW to SE from near
St. Louis to near Bowling Green. Within this corridor, basin-average
1-3" of QPF is expected, with localized swaths of 3-5+" expected
where the heaviest convective cores train. With this amount of
rainfall expected over 3-6 hours, flash flooding would be expected
in locations which see the highest totals. WPC Day 2 Excessive
Rainfall Outlook reflects this concern well, with the moderate risk
axis closely aligned with the likely zone of heaviest rainfall. The
main time window of concern for heavy rainfall would be between 06Z
and 15Z Wednesday (1-10 a.m. CDT). Locations which would be favored
to see the heaviest rainfall would be south of a line extending from
Tell City to Elizabethtown to Liberty, although this corridor will
likely continue to move depending on antecedent convection Tuesday
afternoon. While severe threats will be less prominent than the
flooding threat Tuesday night as convection will be elevated in
nature, a few strong wind gusts could be possible in the strongest
storms.

After the wave of storms Wednesday morning clears the area, much of
the day on Wednesday should see a relative lull in new thunderstorm
development as the atmosphere will need time to recover. The next
elevated chance for widespread showers and thunderstorms should
arrive on Thursday as a stronger cold front pushes across the area.
Once again, a few strong to severe storms would be possible given
the moist and unstable setup ahead of the front, with strong
straight-line winds likely to be the main severe hazard. Flooding
would be less of a concern on Thursday as convection should be
fairly progressive, although areas which see heavy rainfall amounts
on Wednesday may not need to see much additional rainfall to
experience additional flooding. With the cold front (on latest
progs) expected to clear through the region on Friday morning, drier
air is finally expected to filter into the region for the end of the
week and the weekend, which would likely preclude any significant
shower/storm chances. In addition to this welcome return of
relatively quiet weather, temperatures are expected to be near to
slightly below normal over the weekend, with highs in the 80s and
lows in the 60s expected.

&&

.Aviation...(06Z TAF Issuance)
Issued at 1249 AM EDT Tue Jul 18 2023

Scattered nocturnal thunderstorms will continue to affect SDF and
LEX for the first few hours of the TAF period. TSRA chances will
increase during the pre-dawn hours at HNB as convection from Indiana
and Illinois spreads to the south and southeast.

We should get a break after sunrise this morning as the overnight
storms weaken and we await new development this afternoon as the
atmosphere destabilizes.

Tonight an MCS is expected to develop but will stay mostly west of
the terminals for this package. This will be further addressed in
future forecasts. HNB and BWG will likely be the airports most
effected by the late night showers and storms tonight.

&&

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

Mesoscale...MK
Short Term...RAS
Long Term...CSG
Aviation...13

Hazardous weather outlook, Jul 17, 2:25 PM EST, 9 hours 44 minutes before

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Louisville KY
325 PM EDT Mon Jul 17 2023

INZ076>079-083-084-089>092-KYZ023>043-045>049-053>057-061>067-
070>078-081-082-181930-
Orange-Washington IN-Scott IN-Jefferson IN-Dubois-Crawford-Perry-
Harrison IN-Floyd-Clark IN-Hancock-Breckinridge-Meade-Ohio-Grayson-
Hardin-Bullitt-Jefferson KY-Oldham-Trimble-Henry-Shelby-Franklin-
Scott KY-Harrison KY-Spencer-Anderson-Woodford-Fayette-Bourbon-
Nicholas-Nelson-Washington KY-Mercer-Jessamine-Clark KY-Larue-Marion-
Boyle-Garrard-Madison-Butler-Edmonson-Hart-Green-Taylor-Casey-
Lincoln-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, Frankfort, Georgetown, Cynthiana,
Taylorsville, Lawrenceburg, Versailles, Lexington, Paris, Carlisle,
Bardstown, Springfield, Harrodsburg, Nicholasville, Winchester,
Hodgenville, Lebanon, Danville, Lancaster, Richmond, Morgantown,
Brownsville, Horse Cave, Greensburg, Campbellsville, Liberty,
Stanford, Russellville, Bowling Green, Franklin, Providence,
Scottsville, Glasgow, Tompkinsville, Edmonton, Columbia, Jamestown,
Burkesville, and Albany
325 PM EDT Mon Jul 17 2023 /225 PM CDT Mon Jul 17 2023/

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

.DAY ONE...Tonight.

Scattered strong to severe thunderstorms are possible through
midnight. Heavy rain and locally damaging wind gusts are the main
threats. A few storms over southern Indiana could also produce hail,
and lightning will occur with any thunderstorm.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday.

Thunderstorms remain possible each day, especially through Thursday.
Some of the storms could be strong to severe with heavy rain,
damaging winds, and frequent lightning being the main threats. Should
storms end up moving over the same areas repeatedly, localized
flooding is possible. Right now the highest threat for widespread
heavy rains appears to be Tuesday night into Wednesday morning,
mainly along and south of a line extending from Tell City to
Elizabethtown to Liberty.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation may be needed at times through Thursday.

GENERAL STORM MOTION OF THE DAY:

Storms this afternoon and evening will move from west to east around
25 mph.

Any users of this storm motion must be aware that thunderstorm activity
can be erratic and constantly evolving.  Please use this with caution
and be prepared for changing conditions.

&&

More information, along with other weather, hydrological and
climate information can be found, at weather.gov/louisville.

RAS/CSG

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Jul 17, 9:41 PM EST, 2 hours 28 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Louisville KY
1041 PM EDT Mon Jul 17 2023

INZ079-180315-
Jefferson IN-
1041 PM EDT Mon Jul 17 2023

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT JEFFERSON COUNTY THROUGH 1115 PM
EDT...

At 1040 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 8
miles south of Vernon, moving southeast at 35 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and pea size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
         possible.

Locations impacted include...
Madison, Hanover, Saluda, Smyrna, Kent, Dupont, Wakefield,
Middlefork, Canaan and Volga.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

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.

&&

LAT...LON 3887 8526 3873 8537 3874 8542 3871 8545
      3864 8544 3859 8548 3861 8552 3865 8557
      3868 8557 3868 8560 3871 8561 3871 8564
      3875 8569 3882 8568 3882 8561 3885 8561
      3885 8557 3888 8557 3891 8553 3891 8541
TIME...MOT...LOC 0240Z 306DEG 29KT 3886 8563

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

CJP

Special weather statement, Jul 17, 11:27 PM EST, 42 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Louisville KY
1227 AM EDT Tue Jul 18 2023

INZ092-KYZ030-031-180500-
Clark IN-Jefferson KY-Oldham KY-
1227 AM EDT Tue Jul 18 2023

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHEASTERN CLARK...WESTERN
OLDHAM AND NORTHEASTERN JEFFERSON COUNTIES THROUGH 100 AM EDT...

At 1227 AM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Jeffersonville, moving east at 15 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and pea size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
         possible.

Locations impacted include...
Jeffersonville, New Albany, St. Matthews, Lyndon, Middletown,
Prospect, Graymoor-Devondale, Windy Hills, Anchorage and Worthington
Hills.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

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.

&&

LAT...LON 3848 8547 3824 8548 3829 8579 3831 8580
      3831 8579 3832 8578 3833 8580 3834 8579
      3835 8576 3840 8581 3840 8582 3843 8582
TIME...MOT...LOC 0427Z 268DEG 12KT 3835 8573

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

CJP

Local storm report, Jul 17, 11:45 PM EST, 24 minutes before

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Louisville KY
1245 AM EDT Tue Jul 18 2023

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

1232 AM     Hail             1 ENE Mckinley          38.76N 86.18W
07/18/2023  E1.25 inch       Washington         IN   Cocorahs

&&

SRM

Special weather statement, Jul 17, 11:45 PM EST, 24 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Louisville KY
1245 AM EDT Tue Jul 18 2023

INZ077-078-092-180515-
Washington IN-Clark IN-Scott IN-
1245 AM EDT Tue Jul 18 2023

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTH CENTRAL CLARK...
SOUTHWESTERN SCOTT AND NORTHEASTERN WASHINGTON COUNTIES THROUGH 115
AM EDT...

At 1244 AM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 9
miles northeast of Salem, moving southeast at 30 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and pea size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
         possible.

Locations impacted include...
Scottsburg, Vienna, Austin, Little York, New Philadelphia, Underwood,
Blue Lick, Leota, New Liberty and Henryville.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 3875 8598 3876 8596 3875 8595 3876 8594
      3875 8592 3875 8590 3873 8589 3873 8585
      3875 8584 3871 8565 3850 8580 3869 8608
      3877 8602 3876 8601 3877 8598
TIME...MOT...LOC 0444Z 301DEG 28KT 3871 8598

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

CJP

Local storm report, Jul 17, 11:55 PM EST, 14 minutes before

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Louisville KY
1255 AM EDT Tue Jul 18 2023

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

1115 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     3 ESE Madison           38.75N 85.34W
07/17/2023                   Jefferson          IN   911 Call Center

            Tree down over North Eagle Hollow Road.

&&

SRM

Local storm report, Jul 17, 11:56 PM EST, 13 minutes before

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Louisville KY
1256 AM EDT Tue Jul 18 2023

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

1115 PM     Hail             2 S Wirt                38.77N 85.44W
07/17/2023  E1.00 inch       Jefferson          IN   911 Call Center

&&

SRM

The radar

The Louisville radar (KLVX), 50 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 05:09 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

9 thunderstorm wind, 8 hail, 4 flash flood, 1 tornado. Local standard time, as filed.

Hail, Jefferson

When: July 18, 12:09 AM EST
Where: Jefferson County, 0.54 mi E of Avoca
Measured: 1.5 in hail
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 38.250, -85.490

Ping pong ball sized hail was observed in the Lake Forest community.

Hail, Jefferson

When: July 18, 12:09 AM EST
Where: Jefferson County, Woodland Hills
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 38.250, -85.520

Quarter sized hail was observed near Middletown.

Hail, Jefferson

When: July 18, 1:07 AM EST
Where: Jefferson County, 2.14 mi NE of Beckley
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 38.270, -85.440

Quarter sized hail was observed in northeastern Jefferson County.

Hail, Shelby

When: July 18, 1:17 AM EST
Where: Shelby County, Finchville
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 38.150, -85.320

Quarter sized hail was observed near Finchville.

Hail, Jessamine

When: July 18, 2:32 AM EST
Where: Jessamine County, 1.38 mi N of Nicholasville
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 37.890, -84.570

Quarter sized hail was observed near Nicholasville.

Hail, Casey

When: July 18, 3:38 AM EST
Where: Casey County, 2.14 mi SSW of Rheber
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 37.220, -85.030

Quarter sized hail was observed near Dunnville.

Hail, Casey

When: July 18, 3:44 AM EST
Where: Casey County, Dunnville
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 37.200, -85.000

Quarter sized hail was observed in Dunnville.

Thunderstorm Wind, Meade

When: July 18, 11:57 AM EST
Where: Meade County, 1.29 mi ENE of Guston
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 37.890, -86.200

Multiple trees were blown down or uprooted by strong winds, with some trees leaning on homes.

Hail, Casey

When: July 18, 1:37 PM EST
Where: Casey County, 3.44 mi NW of Beech Bottom
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 37.400, -85.000

Hail ranging from pea to quarter size was observed northwest of Liberty.

Thunderstorm Wind, Garrard

When: July 18, 2:10 PM EST
Where: Garrard County, Bryantsville
Measured: 51 kt (59 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 37.720, -84.650

A tree was blown down by strong winds near Bryantsville.

Thunderstorm Wind, Clark

When: July 18, 2:45 PM EST
Where: Clark County, 0.26 mi E of Wades Mill
Measured: 51 kt (59 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Amateur Radio
Coordinates: 38.071, -84.095

Trees were blown down by strong winds along White Turley Pike and Wades Mill Road.

Thunderstorm Wind, Logan

When: July 18, 2:25 PM CST
Where: Logan County, 0.88 mi SW of Russellville
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: 911 Call Center
Coordinates: 36.840, -86.890

Multiple trees were blown down on houses and across roads in Russellville.

Thunderstorm Wind, Butler

When: July 18, 2:50 PM CST
Where: Butler County, 0.95 mi NE of Needmore
Measured: 51 kt (59 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: 911 Call Center
Coordinates: 37.128, -86.656

Trees were blown down near the intersection of U.S. Route 231 and Little Muddy Church Road.

Thunderstorm Wind, Marion

When: July 18, 4:54 PM EST
Where: Marion County, Lebanon
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 37.570, -85.250

Multiple trees were blown down across roads in Lebanon.

Thunderstorm Wind, Green

When: July 18, 4:21 PM CST
Where: Green County, 0.88 mi NE of Summersville
Measured: 51 kt (59 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue
Coordinates: 37.330, -85.540

Trees were blown down by strong thunderstorm winds near Summersville.

Thunderstorm Wind, Taylor

When: July 18, 5:39 PM EST
Where: Taylor County, 1.38 mi N of Campbellsville
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 37.350, -85.350

Strong winds resulted in multiple trees being blown down in Campbellsville and across Taylor County. Some trees fell onto roads and power lines, and a few structures were damaged by falling trees.

Thunderstorm Wind, Jefferson

When: July 18, 5:43 PM EST
Where: Jefferson County, 0.88 mi SE of Sylvania
Measured: 51 kt (59 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: 911 Call Center
Coordinates: 38.140, -85.860

A tree was blown down by strong winds in the Pleasure Ridge Park area.

Tornado, Marion

When: July 18, 5:54 PM EST to 5:55 PM EST
Where: Marion County, 1.77 mi WNW of Penicks to 1.71 mi WNW of Penicks
Rating: EF0
Path length: 0.11 mi
Path width: 20 yd
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 37.578, -85.181

Multiple rounds of strong to severe thunderstorms moved through the Marion County area during the afternoon and evening hours on July 18th. A very|brief tornado touched down about 4 miles east of Lebanon, KY near|U.S. 68 just before 7 pm EDT. The storm was moving to the|northeast at 40 mph. There were several trees twisted and snapped|and an older barn was destroyed. Most of the damage was facing to|the east northeast, with some exceptions.

Some of the roof truss from the barn was lofted northeast, but the|board became impaled and was leaning back toward a southwesterly direction.

A horse trailer weighing over 1000 pounds was moved off the block|about 3 feet towards the northwest. This was the highest rated |part of the tornado at 80 mph.

A section of a tree was snapped and facing back to a |southeasterly direction.

The resident of the property showed where the tree line was |behind the barns, and the top of the tree line had about a 20-foot|swath cut out of it.

The top of another metal pole barn exhibited evidence of uplift.

Just beyond the second barn was an uprooted hardwood tree at |the end of the tree line. It was facing north northeast. This was |the last damage observed from both ground and aerial drone survey.

Flash Flood, Jefferson

When: July 18, 6:15 PM EST to 8:15 PM EST
Where: Jefferson County, 0.89 mi ENE of Avoca to 0.8 mi WNW of Beckley
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: NWS Employee
Coordinates: 38.257, -85.486

Flooding was observed along Arnold Palmer Boulevard in the Lake Forest community. Water levels along the road reached the bottom of car bumpers.

Flash Flood, Jefferson

When: July 18, 6:35 PM EST to 8:35 PM EST
Where: Jefferson County, 0.68 mi NNW of Middletown to 0.66 mi NNW of Middletown
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: NWS Employee
Coordinates: 38.258, -85.537

Heavy rain caused Evergreen Road to become impassable between Shelbyville Road and Ridge Road.

Flash Flood, Shelby

When: July 18, 6:55 PM EST to 8:55 PM EST
Where: Shelby County, 1.46 mi E of Montclair to 1.47 mi E of Montclair
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: 911 Call Center
Coordinates: 38.218, -85.303

Numerous roads across Shelby County were closed due to high water from heavy rains, including several roads between Shelbyville and Simpsonville.

Flash Flood, Marion

When: July 18, 6:59 PM EST to 8:59 PM EST
Where: Marion County, 2.13 mi N of Gandertown to 2.07 mi N of Gandertown
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: 911 Call Center
Coordinates: 37.710, -85.387

Manton Road was closed due to flooding from heavy rainfall.

What these are

Hail: Hail three-quarters of an inch or larger, or smaller hail that caused damage, filed with the largest stone measured.
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.
Tornado: A violently rotating column of air in contact with the ground and extending from a thunderstorm, filed with its path, width and Fujita or Enhanced Fujita rating from the damage survey.
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 2023 Every state in 2023 This day in weather history The tornado archive for Kentucky, 2023 Warnings in Kentucky, July 2023

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: 1128832, 1128833, 1128836, 1128837, 1128838, 1128844, 1128845, 1128860, 1128851, 1128879, 1128863, 1128871, 1128872, 1128878, 1128881, 1128875, 1128876, 1128857, 1128824, 1128825, 1128827, 1128831.