Tornadoes and Flash Flooding in Kentucky, May 26 to 27, 2024

The storm survey found that, 4 miles northeast of Wickliffe, a camper trailer was turned over, and a car port flipped and blown over. Metal roof paneling on an outbuilding blew over as well. On Crews Rd, a barn lost much of its roof. Emergency management reported that tree damage occurred as the line of storms moved through Ballard County. Roughly a third of the county remained without power late morning.

Multiple trees were downed in the Bardwell area with power outages. Roughly 10% of the county remained without power late morning.

Multiple 4-6 inch limbs and 2 large mature trees were downed by a thunderstorm line moving eastward across Fulton County. One tree was uprooted. A 67 mph wind gust was measured at 0707CST near the intersection of Alexander Rd and KY-1128. Roughly a third of the county was without power mid-morning.

Multiple trees were downed as a thunderstorm line moved through. Many trees were across KY-80 between Arlington and Milburn. With additional trees down off of KY-307 towards Beulah Baptist Church.

Minor street flooding occurred in Kevil following roughly an inch of rain in an hour.

As a very strong thunderstorm line moved through McCracken County, a tree was blown down onto a house near the McCracken/Ballard line.

Multiple trees were downed on the north and east side of Hickman County, including in the Springhill area with trees blocking roads.

A downburst with estimated winds of 70 up to 100 mph struck parts of south central McCracken County on the morning of May 26th. Numerous tree limbs were downed facing towards the east or northeast. On Clarkline Rd west of Husband Rd, several large trees were uprooted, including a tree approximately four feet in diameter estimated to be more than 100 years old that fell onto a home causing substantial roof and gutter damage.

An EF-1 tornado touched down in far western Graves County early morning on the 26th, then proceeded eastward. Moderate tree damage along the path occurred with large branches snapped and a couple of trees uprooted. One farm outbuilding was largely destroyed. At the end of the track the tornado lifted and the storm transitioned to broader straight-line winds. Estimated peak winds with this tornado were 100 mph.

Large branches were broken in several spots along KY-2149 northwest of Fulton.

A tree was blown down in Hickory as the thunderstorm line moved eastward through the town.

On the south side of the tornado track, straight-line winds from the rear flank downdraft damaged trees including snapping a tree, and caused an outbuilding to collapse.

A large tree was blown down off of Hwy 129 in the Pilot Oak area.

After the tornado lifted, straight-line winds broadened and moved through the south side of Mayfield. The storm survey focused on Macedonia St where multiple large trees were uprooted or snapped, with one tree falling onto a house. Additional tree damage was reported on Backusberg Rd, Tom Dr, and near KY-940. Nearly half of Graves County was without power mid-morning.

Several trees were blown down on KY-97. One fell on a home trapping people around the 3200 block.

Media relayed a public report of a large tree top damaged in Sharpe.

An EF-1 tornado began just west of Lynn Grove near the Graves/Calloway County line. Concentrated tree damage was evident in Lynn Grove. Several buildings sustained minor roof damage from wind and significant damage from falling trees. A very narrow path then continued southeastward between Wiswell Rd and KY-94 into far southern Murray. Damage was more sporadic and minor but grew more intense in south Murray with a few healthy tree trunks snapped. Damage then continued more sporadically just south of KY-121. Several wheat fields showed complicated swirl and straight line wind damage patterns along this path. Damage became more intense once again southwest of New Concord before moving across KY-121 and into the Cypress Springs community where several roads were impassable due to fallen trees. The damage then became inaccessible but may have continued to Kentucky Lake. Peak winds with this tornado were estimated at 105 mph.

Measured wind gust from the KCEY AWOS. Time estimated from radar; the observation was reported at 0735CST with 20 minute data.

A thunderstorm line moving through produced a measured 70 mph wind gust in Benton.

An EF-1 tornado touched down in eastern Calloway County, tracking northeastward to Kentucky Lake. A broad area of wind damage became more obvious as it moved towards Elm Grove. The damage became focused enough to produce a convergent damage path near Russell's Chapel Church and continued northeast to Kentucky Lake. Over 100 trees were uprooted, or had their trunks snapped. Unlike areas further west, the damage along Snipe Creek Rd was focused and more complete with trees lying in a convergent pattern. The tornado lifted over Kentucky Lake. Upstream from tornadogenesis, wheat fields showed straight line and complicated patterns of damage consistent with 60-70 mph winds. Peak winds with this tornado were estimated at 100 mph.

Several trees large and small were downed in Hazel as a line of thunderstorms with powerful wind gusts moved through.

A man was injured when thunderstorm winds caused a tree to fall on his vehicle on Rockwood Rd.

Trees were downed in Princeton as a thunderstorm line moved eastward through Caldwell County. Most of Caldwell County lost power as a result of morning thunderstorms.

Widespread flash flooding occurred in Murray. In a later update, emergency management reported that N 16th St remained closed well into the afternoon. Radar estimated rainfall amounts in Murray were 2-3 inches through the morning hours.

An EF-1 tornado formed in Trigg County southeast of Cumberland Shores, tracking eastward just south of KY-807 and ending around KY-139 south of Cadiz. Mainly tree damage occurred, with many large limbs down and a few trees uprooted in rural areas. Peak winds with this tornado were estimated at 95 mph.

A morning thunderstorm line swept through Cadiz. Emergency management reported that the storm took out power and generator at the county hospital in Cadiz. Multiple trees were downed onto power lines near the hospital. A spotter reported that lots of trees were downed, many on roads such as Oliver Rd and N. Montgomery Rd.

An EF-2 tornado (max EF-1 in Trigg County) started near KY-525 southeast of Cadiz. The tornado tracked eastward along Tuggle Rd, producing tree damage, before entering Christian County at Newstead Rd. Peak estimated winds with the Trigg County segment of the tornado were 100 mph.

Emergency management reported trees down and pea size hail in Cerulean, KY. Media relayed a report of a hay barn destroyed in Cerulean.

An EF-2 tornado began in Trigg County, southeast of Cadiz, crossing over into Christian County at Newstead Rd. The tornado tracked eastward, shifting to east-northeastward near I-24. After crossing the Pennyrile Parkway and Fort Campbell Blvd, the tornado lifted at John Rivers Rd northwest of Pembroke. Damage to numerous homes occurred due to downed trees. Two homes were directly impacted due to the tornado winds, with roof damage. Many trees were snapped or uprooted. Several farm buildings were damaged. Peak estimated winds with this tornado in Christian County, and for the tornado as a whole, were 115 mph.

A morning thunderstorm line caused power lines to lean with metal across the road near Nebo. Following the storm line, roughly a third of the county was without power.

Large tree limbs broke in Herndon near KY-107 and KY-117. A blown over tree fell on powerlines.

Flash flooding, with up to 3 ft of water over the road, occurred at Speaker Trail on KY-121. Radar estimated 3 inches of rain fell through the morning in the area.

An EF-1 tornado began northwest of Bremen near Carl Rd early morning. The tornado tracked northeastward through Lynn City crossing over into McLean County. Damage on the Muhlenberg County side was primarily to trees and a power pole. Peak estimated winds for the Muhlenberg County portion, and the tornado as a whole, were 90 mph. NWS Paducah thanks NWS Louisville for their assistance surveying this tornado.

Observed wind gust at mesonet station GFSK2, Greenville KY. The wind gust was reported with the hourly observation at 0855CST with the time estimated by radar.

An EF-1 tornado began northwest of Bremen in Muhlenberg County and tracked northeastward into McLean County, continuing through the town of Island before lifting at Doug Hill Rd. The path consisted mostly of tree damage with minor damage to an automotive service building and powerlines in Island. Peak estimated winds with the McLean County portion, and the tornado as a whole, were 90 mph. NWS Paducah thanks NWS Louisville for their assistance surveying this tornado.

Many branches and tree limbs were downed by a morning line of thunderstorms. A few trees were downed along hedge rows.

A large tree was uprooted and the highest branches landed on a house.

Flooding occurred at the Jackson Street underpass at the railroad crossing. 6 hour rainfall was a radar estimated 1.5-3 inches over Paducah.

Flash flooding occurred over US68 near I-24. Radar estimated 3-hr rainfall totals were around two inches in the area.

A foot of water was over KY-107 between Kirkmansville and Clifty.

Hail measured to quarter size fell in Ledbetter as a supercell moved east-northeastward through Livingston County.

Hail estimated to quarter size was observed north of Calvert City as a supercell affected far northern Marshall County.

There were two separate video recordings of a brief tornado touchdown just east of U.S. Hwy 60 and south of Cutoff Rd. The intensity remains unknown as the touchdown location was not accessible by NWS Storm Surveyors.

An EF-0 tornado formed on the Union County side of the Ohio River. Progressing eastward, isolated large tree limbs were downed from near the Ohio River, past KY-109 to near KY-56W. Estimated peak winds with this tornado are 75 mph.

Quarter size hail was estimated outside Robards as a supercell moved northeastward through the area.

An EF-3 tornado (peak of EF-2 in Lyon County) began northeast of Eddyville on the west side of US-641N. The tornado tracked northeastward, strengthening rapidly and producing EF-2 damage off of Beck Rd. The tornado crossed into Caldwell County while collapsing a barn just north of Pleasant Valley Rd. Peak estimated winds for the Lyon County portion of the tornado were 115 mph.

An EF-3 tornado (max of EF-2 in Caldwell County) began northeast of Eddyville in Lyon County before crossing into Caldwell County near Pleasant Valley Rd. The tornado tracked east-northeastward through the entirety of Caldwell County, crossing over into Hopkins County north of I-69 and south of Young Cemetery Rd. The tornado briefly weakened northwest of Princeton. It then strengthened producing EF-2 damage north of Princeton near KY-293 N, blowing apart a manufactured home. Additional structures, trees, and power lines were damaged in Caldwell County. For Caldwell County, 4 people were injured and one person (54m, indirect) suffered a heart attack while cleaning up debris the following day, passing away as a result. Peak estimated winds with the Caldwell County portion of the tornado were 130 mph.

Hail as large as tennis balls or baseballs was estimated to have fallen in Farmersville.

Floodwaters covered KY-130 between Morganfield and Uniontown. Hourly rainfall of up to around 2 inches was estimated by radar from 1900-2000CST.

An EF-3 tornado, which began northeast of Eddyville in Lyon County, crossed through the entirety of Caldwell County, then entered Hopkins County east of White School Rd. The tornado intensified and widened to its peak width of 700 yds destroying several mobile homes and wood and brick frame structures as it approached and moved just south of the Charleston community in western Hopkins County. It continued eastward just north of I-69 destroying more mobile homes and at least one more permanent residence. Two mobile homes were destroyed just north of Morton's Gap with a vehicle also flipped before the path abruptly ended just west of I-69. Widespread significant tree damage was noted along the path. A few dozen buildings were either destroyed or sustained major damage along the path with another few dozen structures sustaining damage. In Hopkins County, 17 people were injured, with 1 person (48f, direct) north of Dawson Springs dying as a result of the tornado. Peak winds with this tornado were estimated at 160 mph.

Numerous large trees were downed on the Western Kentucky Parkway/I-69 between Central City and Dawson Springs.

Water covered the road on U.S. 41 between mile markers 16 and 17. Two feet of water covered over KY-1299. Radar estimated rainfall was approximately 1.5 inches within 3 hours with an hourly peak around 1 inch. Higher rainfall totals occurred in southeastern and western portions of the county.

Trees were downed by thunderstorm winds as a line of thunderstorms moved through.

Wind gusts in La Center were estimated at 60 mph.

A retired NWS employee relayed a radio report of tree damage along Woodville Rd.

Following the lifting of the EF-3 tornado near Barnsley, a swath of straight-line downburst winds damaged many trees from Ed Brackett Rd eastward along Pontiac Ln to Free Henry Ford Rd just east of I-69.

Trees were downed by thunderstorm winds in Philpot.

Flash flooding in creeks and low water crossings. One hour rainfall in the evening peaked at around 1-1.5 inches around Bardwell.

Emergency management reported widespread street flooding occurred in Owensboro. In one instance, several inches of water was flowing over Carter Rd between McFarland Ave and Flamingo Ave. Radar estimated 1-2 inches of rain fell in Owensboro during the evening, with higher totals in the northwestern portion of Daviess County.

Hundreds of trees were downed by straight-line winds in and around Greenville.

An EF-1 tornado began east of Greenville, northwest of Arnold Hill Rd and Wyatt Cemetery Rd. Trees were uprooted and topped, several homes had shingle and gutter damage. The tornado did extensive tree damage along Arnold Hill Rd, and lifted many sections of a 30x50 ft metal roof Barn. An anchored single wide was pushed off the foundation by 3 ft with windows blown out. Three homes had extensive roof covering material and shingles removed. Near the intersection of Hershel Davis Rd and Arnold Hill Rd, a large well-built 40x40 ft garage/barn incurred heavy damage with doors blowing out and half the roof gone. The tornado increased in width in the Beech Creek community to 400 yds. Dozens and dozens of trees were uprooted and topped and twisted, facing directions from the NW to SE. Several trees were on top of mobile homes and houses and a large metal roofing storage facility on KY-246 had 40% of its roof removed. Along Hazel Creek Rd off of KY-246, several garages and outbuildings had roofing completely removed, and there were large sections of roof peeled back and some removed at a chicken farm, as the width increased to 500 yds. Telephone poles were bent and snapped and a very healthy 12-ft diameter oak tree was twisted and snapped 5 ft from the base. Off of US-431 in the Beechmont community, along Green Meadows St, some large oak and sycamore trees were uprooted, falling onto multiple vehicles. Homes had siding, soffit, gutter, and shingle damage. There was a also a lot of straight line wind damage on both sides of the tornado of 75-85 mph for up to a half mile. The tornado was at its widest near KY-2270 between Gaston Rd and Little Hazel Creek, at 600 yds, with hundreds of trees down facing in all directions. There were power lines down all over the place. A one story house had its roof removed. Wind speeds of 90-100 mph continued all along Mud River Union Rd, with drone photography detecting trees uprooted in the rugged countryside, connecting the path into Butler County. Including Butler and Warren Counties, the tornado tracked 41.1 miles. Peak estimated winds in Muhlenberg County, and for the tornado as a whole, were 110 mph. NWS Paducah thanks NWS Louisville for their assistance surveying this tornado.

Extensive damage occurred in Drakesboro from straight line winds. Roads were blocked mainly closer to the tornado track towards Beechmont. According for the EF-1 tornado and straight line wind damage, along with morning storms, a large majority of Muhlenberg County was without power late evening.

Heavy rain in Christian County from the May 26th storms resulted in rapid river level rises on the South Fork of the Little River with minor flood stage reached just after midnight on the 27th at the 68/80 site with minimal impacts.