Hail and Damaging Winds in Kentucky, May 20, 2025

Name: Hail and Damaging Winds in Kentucky, May 20, 2025
Start: 2025-05-20T13:03
End: 2025-05-20T22:30
Location: Kentucky

May 20, 2025 · NWS JKL · 44 events in 20 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: $18,000
Crop damage: $56,000
Events: 44

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 JKL wrote it up.

At 7 AM EST the morning of the 20th, a strong low pressure center was situated over the NE/IA border, with a warm frontextended SEward across IL, SW IN, and KY and beginning to stall out a bit. A cold front was also present, extending south and west from the lows center across the Central/Southern Plains (MO/OK/TX). By 1 PM EST the stalled front began slowly migrating northward again as a warm front, placing much of Kentucky in the warm and moist sector through the afternoon, ripe for storm development. A line of convection had developed south of the warm front during the morning hours, pushing out of western Kentucky and western Tennessee, and increasing in strength as it moved eastward through the more unstable environment towards eastern Kentucky by early afternoon. This first line exited the state by 5pm, generally causing wind/tree damage in it's wake. At around 1 PM EST, another round of convection began to initiate along the cold front in Arkansas. Four hours later, this line of convection had expanded, and could be seen from western Kentucky southwest through Tennessee, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas, with supercell like structures embedded within the overall broken line of convection. This secondary line associated with the cold front traversed the state, reaching eastern Kentucky by 8 PM, before exiting around midnight. The storms remained strong as they came through the NWS Jackson, KY coverage area, causing widespread wind damage to trees and power lines. Harlan County even sported a 61 mph gust as the storms moved through. By the end of the event, Kentucky faired very well, with mainly wind reports. Meanwhile, other states to the north and south saw tornadoes and large hail, in addition to the widespread wind damage.

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 Jackson, KY wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at May 20, 6:30 AM EST, 6 hours 33 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

Shower/storm chances return at times tonight and linger through the middle of the week, mainly during the afternoon and evening hours.
There is a chance of strong to severe storms late tonight, and especially Tuesday afternoon into Tuesday night. There is also the chance for excessive rainfall late tonight through Tuesday night.
Highs will be near normal again on Tuesday, then are forecast to be below normal for Wednesday through Saturday.

Area forecast discussion, May 20, 6:30 AM EST, 6 hours 33 minutes before

AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
National Weather Service Jackson KY
730 AM EDT Tue May 20 2025

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Shower/storm chances return at times tonight and linger through
  the middle of the week, mainly during the afternoon and evening
  hours.

- There is a chance of strong to severe storms late tonight, and
  especially Tuesday afternoon into Tuesday night. There is also
  the chance for excessive rainfall late tonight through Tuesday
  night.

- Highs will be near normal again on Tuesday, then are forecast
  to be below normal for Wednesday through Saturday.

&&

.UPDATE...
Issued at 730 AM EDT TUE MAY 20 2025

A minor grid edit took place early this morning to reflect morning
surface observations and radar trends. Also, morning text and
radio products have been updated to reflect these changes. Grids
have been saved and sent.

UPDATE Issued at 1235 AM EDT TUE MAY 20 2025

With current forecast QPF exceeding 1 inch for most of the
counties bordering TN and VA that were not in the initial flood
watch issuance and to better correlate with the areal extent of
the watch with surrounding offices and WPC Slight Risk ERO, opted
to add those counties in to the watch and continue to leave
Fleming County out at this time.

Other than that only some minor adjustments were made to hourly
grids based on observation trends.

UPDATE Issued at 855 PM EDT MON MAY 19 2025

Minor adjustments were made to hourly temperatures based on recent
observations trends. Overnight lows still are on track. Model runs
will continue to be evaluated about the potential for Tuesday afternoon
to early Tuesday evening storms to be equally as strong if not
more so than anticipated later evening to early overnight round of
storms closer to the cold front. The afternoon to early evening
potential is contingent on heating following activity late tonight
into the morning as the warm front lifts north. Areas near and
west of I-75

&&

.SHORT TERM...(This evening through Tuesday night)
Issued at 513 PM EDT MON MAY 19 2025

Late today, a closed upper low was over the northern plains, with
a trough extending south. To the east of this, an upper ridge was
situated a little east of the Mississippi River. Meanwhile, at the
surface a warm front was over TN and extended to a low over the
plains.

The upper ridge will shift east over us tonight and the trough
will begin to pivot around the upper low. This will support the
surface low to track to the vicinity of IA by Tuesday, and to the
Ohio Valley by Wednesday morning. This will pull the warm front
north through KY on Tuesday and Tuesday evening, with the system's
cold front then approaching from the west by dawn on Wednesday.
The warm air advection regime is expected to bring at least
scattered showers/thunderstorms to the area by dawn and into the
day Tuesday. As the negatively tilted upper trough pivots toward
us and over the area late Tuesday and Tuesday night, additional
shower/thunderstorms will occur. There have been some indications
in today's model runs that the shear/instability combo could
become more favorable for severe wx. The SPC has increased the
day 2 (Tuesday/Tuesday night) risk level for the JKL area,
particularly for wind and tornadoes, with an enhanced risk now
extending well northeastward to near KJKL. Activity should be on
the decline overnight Tuesday night, but precip could linger past
dawn.

Lastly, repeated rounds of thunderstorms may bring localized
excessive rainfall. With much of the area still wet from the last
round of severe wx and flooding, problems could arise, and a
Flood Watch was issued for Tuesday afternoon into Tuesday night
for most of the forecast area.

.LONG TERM...(Wednesday through Monday)
Issued at 500 PM EDT MON MAY 19 2025

The models, and their individual ensemble suites, are in broad
agreement aloft into the upcoming weekend before some
discrepancies start to magnify into the start of the next week.
They all depict a sharp, quick hitting trough working through the
lower Ohio Valley on Wednesday with some slight 5h height falls
for Kentucky as it passes along with a stream of mid-level energy
skirting the northern part of the state. A secondary push of
energy arrives that night extending the troughing down into
Kentucky as the parent 5h low holds forth over the Great Lakes
and Ohio Valley. Troughing then remains in place for this part of
the country to start the weekend with northwest mid-level flow
carrying a series of impulses through the area. The operational
GFS is a bit stronger and further south with the core of this
trough than the ECMWF. Ridging will then follow briefly for
Sunday, as it builds in from the Southern Plains, but quickly
another northern stream trough works this way from the Upper
Midwest to start the new work week. The small model spread
through Friday night supported using the NBM as the starting point
with minimal adjustments needed - mainly to factor in some
radiational cooling based terrain distinction in temperatures at
night during the weekend.

Sensible weather features some similarities to the pattern of last
week. We will start out in the wake of storms passing through the
area likely before dawn Wednesday with additional showers possible
as a cold front moves through. Any drying in the wake of this will
be short-lived, though, as the next wave works in with additional
shower chances for Thursday. In fact, this potential also leads to
a larger than normal spread amongst the models for Thursday's
highs. Quieter weather follows for the weekend thanks to high
pressure but conditions will not be completely convection free or
clear as the earlier boundary will start to work back northeast
toward the area for the latter part of the weekend and, in
particular, on Monday. This means a renewed chance of showers and
storms for the area to start the new work week. Temperatures will
be cooler than normal into the weekend with warmer and more normal
readings to close out the period.

The changes to the NBM starting point consisted primarily of
adding enhanced terrain distinction to the temperatures for Friday
and Saturday nights. As for PoPs - did not deviate from the NBM
solution given the similar model solutions despite some of the
upper level differences showing up in the latter part of the
forecast period.

&&

.AVIATION...(For the 12Z TAFS through 12Z Wednesday morning)
ISSUED AT 730 AM EDT TUE MAY 20 2025

Terminals are VFR at the start of the TAF window but as a boundary
lifts northeast through the area, increasing showers and storms
will cause lowered CIGS and VSBY issues over the next couple of
hours. A lull in activity is expected for the mid-morning but
another round of showers and storms will exist through the early
afternoon. A second lull will exist then another round of showers
and storms for the late afternoon through the overnight into
Wednesday morning. With these showers and storms, lowered CIGS to
MVFR will be expected through much of the TAF window. Lastly, KSME
and KLOZ will see gusty winds this afternoon with sustained winds
around 12 knots with gusts to 18 knots. Those winds will diminish
to light and variable through the overnight. The remaining
terminals will see light and variable winds but with any
thunderstorm, gusty and erratic winds can be expected.

&&

.JKL WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
Flood Watch from noon EDT today through late tonight for
KYZ050>052-058>060-068-069-079-080-083>088-104-106>120.

&&

UPDATE...VORST
SHORT TERM...HAL
LONG TERM...GREIF
AVIATION...VORST

Hazardous weather outlook, May 20, 12:23 PM EST, 40 minutes before

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Jackson KY
123 PM EDT Tue May 20 2025

KYZ050>052-058>060-068-069-079-080-083>088-104-106>120-211100-
Montgomery-Bath-Rowan-Estill-Powell-Menifee-Rockcastle-Jackson-
Pulaski-Laurel-Wayne-McCreary-Whitley-Knox-Bell-Harlan-Elliott-
Morgan-Johnson-Wolfe-Magoffin-Floyd-Lee-Breathitt-Knott-Owsley-Perry-
Clay-Leslie-Letcher-Martin-Pike-
123 PM EDT Tue May 20 2025

...FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT THROUGH LATE TONIGHT...
...TORNADO WATCH 302 IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM EDT THIS EVENING...

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for a portion of eastern Kentucky.

.DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight.

Thunderstorms are expected at times through late tonight. Some of
these storms may be severe, with the greatest risk being damaging
wind. However, tornadoes and large hail are also a possibility.
Thunderstorms could also bring heavy rainfall and localized
flooding.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday.

There is a slight chance of thunderstorms on Wednesday. Thunderstorms
are also possible in some locations Thursday evening, and Sunday
afternoon through Monday.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation will likely be needed.

KYZ044-211100-
Fleming-
123 PM EDT Tue May 20 2025

...TORNADO WATCH 302 IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM EDT THIS EVENING...

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for a portion of eastern Kentucky.

.DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight.

Thunderstorms are expected at times through late tonight. Some of
these storms may be severe, with the greatest risk being damaging
wind. However, tornadoes and large hail are also a possibility.
Thunderstorms could also bring heavy rainfall.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday.

No hazardous weather is expected at this time.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation will likely be needed.

HAL

In the hours before

Special weather statement, May 20, 12:38 PM EST, 25 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service JACKSON KY
138 PM EDT Tue May 20 2025

KYZ083-084-201815-
McCreary KY-Wayne KY-
138 PM EDT Tue May 20 2025

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHERN WAYNE AND SOUTHWESTERN
MCCREARY COUNTIES THROUGH 215 PM EDT...

At 138 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Byrdstown, moving northeast at 50 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and half inch 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...
Monticello, Parmleysville, Oil Valley, Coopersville, Susie, Burfield,
Barrier, Hidalgo, Rockeybranch, Slickford, Griffin, Zula, Mount
Pisgah, Powersburg, Sunnybrook, and Cooper.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 800 PM EDT for south central
Kentucky.

&&

LAT...LON 3661 8487 3662 8499 3663 8500 3668 8500
      3669 8502 3672 8502 3676 8500 3689 8479
      3668 8462 3660 8486
TIME...MOT...LOC 1738Z 240DEG 44KT 3662 8509

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

VORST

Special weather statement, May 20, 12:57 PM EST, 6 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service JACKSON KY
157 PM EDT Tue May 20 2025

KYZ079-201830-
Pulaski KY-
157 PM EDT Tue May 20 2025

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT CENTRAL PULASKI COUNTY THROUGH
230 PM EDT...

At 157 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Nancy, or 7 miles west of Somerset, moving northeast at 45 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...
Somerset, Science Hill, Naomi, Bobtown, Nancy, Grade, Ruth, Elihu,
Shopville, Dykes, Dabney, Valley Oak, Bent, Pulaski County Park,
Somerset Pulaski Airport, Faubush, Trimble, and Ferguson.

THIS INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING HIGHWAYS...
 Kentucky Highway 80 in Pulaski County between mile markers 17 and
35.
 Louis B. Nunn Parkway

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 800 PM EDT for south central
Kentucky.

&&

LAT...LON 3729 8446 3710 8431 3698 8468 3698 8470
      3697 8473 3696 8477 3698 8479 3700 8483
      3705 8486
TIME...MOT...LOC 1757Z 242DEG 39KT 3704 8474

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

VORST

Special weather statement, May 20, 1:02 PM EST, 1 minute before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service JACKSON KY
202 PM EDT Tue May 20 2025

KYZ079-083-084-201830-
McCreary KY-Wayne KY-Pulaski KY-
202 PM EDT Tue May 20 2025

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT CENTRAL WAYNE...SOUTH CENTRAL
PULASKI AND CENTRAL MCCREARY COUNTIES THROUGH 230 PM EDT...

At 202 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Burfield, or 9 miles south of Monticello, moving northeast at 45 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...
Whitley City, Parmleysville, Slavens, Sloans Valley, Parkers Lake,
Barrier, Gregory, Co-
Operative, Slickford, Ritner, Denney, Wiborg, Oil Valley,
Coopersville, Marshes Siding, Greenwood, Burfield, Beulah Heights,
Alpine, and Kidds Crossing.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 800 PM EDT for south central
Kentucky.

&&

LAT...LON 3661 8483 3674 8494 3697 8451 3673 8435
TIME...MOT...LOC 1802Z 243DEG 41KT 3671 8480

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

VORST

The radar

The Knoxville radar (KMRX), 147 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 18:04 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

43 thunderstorm wind, 1 hail. Local standard time, as filed.

Hail, Wayne

When: May 20, 1:03 PM EST
Where: Wayne County, 0.67 mi W of Cooper
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 36.771, -84.862

Shortly after 1 PM EST, nickel-sized hail was reported near Cooper.

Thunderstorm Wind, Clay

When: May 20, 1:35 PM EST
Where: Clay County, 1.26 mi SSE of Spurlock
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Crop damage: $1,000
Reported by: 911 Call Center
Coordinates: 37.203, -83.611

County dispatch reported a tree blown down and partially blocking N KY-66 near the intersection with KY-149.

Thunderstorm Wind, Laurel

When: May 20, 1:48 PM EST
Where: Laurel County, 1.87 mi SW of Pittsburg
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $1,000
Crop damage: $1,000
Reported by: 911 Call Center
Coordinates: 37.152, -84.145

County dispatch relayed a report and photo from media of a tree down along the 1900 Block of Somerset Road in the vicinity of Allen House Lane. The picture showed a tree over phone lines.

Thunderstorm Wind, Powell

When: May 20, 2:00 PM EST
Where: Powell County, 2.52 mi SW of Waltersville
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Crop damage: $1,000
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 37.843, -83.962

A tree was blown down at the Powell-Estill County line, on the Powell side.

Thunderstorm Wind, Laurel

When: May 20, 2:02 PM EST
Where: Laurel County, 1.02 mi N of Maplesville
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Crop damage: $1,000
Reported by: 911 Call Center
Coordinates: 37.165, -84.030

County dispatch reported a tree blown down near the intersection of Maplesville School and Old Salem Road.

Thunderstorm Wind, Laurel

When: May 20, 2:06 PM EST
Where: Laurel County, 1.57 mi SW of Bert
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Crop damage: $1,000
Reported by: 911 Call Center
Coordinates: 37.107, -83.994

A tree was reportedly blown down near MM 7 along the Hal Rogers Parkway.

Thunderstorm Wind, Powell

When: May 20, 2:23 PM EST
Where: Powell County, 0.73 mi SSE of Slade
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Crop damage: $2,000
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 37.790, -83.696

Two trees were blown down about a mile from the Slade rest area in the vicinity of Thatchers BBQ.

Thunderstorm Wind, Clay

When: May 20, 2:26 PM EST
Where: Clay County, 2.6 mi SW of Jonsee
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Crop damage: $1,000
Reported by: 911 Call Center
Coordinates: 37.027, -83.818

County dispatch reported a tree blown down and partially blocking KY-11 near the Knox/Clay county line.

Thunderstorm Wind, Bell

When: May 20, 2:27 PM EST
Where: Bell County, 0.77 mi W of Wasioto
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Crop damage: $5,000
Reported by: 911 Call Center
Coordinates: 36.748, -83.694

County dispatch reported multiple trees blown down around the county including up KY-516 and KY-190.

Thunderstorm Wind, Wolfe

When: May 20, 2:29 PM EST
Where: Wolfe County, 0.54 mi SW of Rogers
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Crop damage: $1,000
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 37.744, -83.636

A tree was reported down near Rogers Elementary School.

Thunderstorm Wind, Breathitt

When: May 20, 2:49 PM EST
Where: Breathitt County, 0.07 mi ENE of Beech
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Crop damage: $1,000
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 37.370, -83.429

A tree was reportedly blown down along Bowlings Creek Road about 1.5 miles from the mouth of the holler.

Thunderstorm Wind, Breathitt

When: May 20, 2:56 PM EST
Where: Breathitt County, 0.69 mi E of Lawson
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $1,000
Crop damage: $1,000
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 37.602, -83.458

A tree was reportedly blown down onto power lines along KY-541 near the Mount Carmel School.

Thunderstorm Wind, Perry

When: May 20, 2:59 PM EST
Where: Perry County, 0.19 mi WNW of Manuel
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Crop damage: $1,000
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 37.351, -83.303

A tree was reportedly blown down on Grapevine Road (KY-28) near the intersection with KY-15.

Thunderstorm Wind, Leslie

When: May 20, 2:59 PM EST
Where: Leslie County, 0.83 mi N of Rockhouse
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Crop damage: $1,000
Reported by: Department of Highways
Coordinates: 37.142, -83.429

A tree was blown down onto US-421 near the Leslie County RV Park and MM 26.

Thunderstorm Wind, Morgan

When: May 20, 3:02 PM EST
Where: Morgan County, 0.68 mi NE of Index
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Crop damage: $300
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 37.906, -83.270

Large tree limbs were reportedly broken off across from the EKCC entrance just south of West Liberty.

Thunderstorm Wind, Leslie

When: May 20, 3:09 PM EST
Where: Leslie County, 0.95 mi N of Cinda
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Crop damage: $1,000
Reported by: Department of Highways
Coordinates: 37.114, -83.280

A tree was blown down onto KY-699 (Cutshin Road) near mile marker 5 or near the intersection with CR-1537 (Little Engle Road).

Thunderstorm Wind, Knott

When: May 20, 3:25 PM EST
Where: Knott County, 1.19 mi ENE of Carrie
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Crop damage: $1,000
Reported by: Department of Highways
Coordinates: 37.336, -83.010

Knott County Dept of Highways reported a tree down between MM 9 and 10 on KY-550.

Thunderstorm Wind, Rockcastle

When: May 20, 8:09 PM EST
Where: Rockcastle County, 1.77 mi ENE of Conway
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Crop damage: $1,000
Reported by: 911 Call Center
Coordinates: 37.476, -84.299

A tree was blown down in the 2000 block of Scaffold Cane Road, near the community of Conway, north of Mount Vernon.

Thunderstorm Wind, Rockcastle

When: May 20, 8:10 PM EST
Where: Rockcastle County, 0.23 mi N of Willailla
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $10,000
Crop damage: $1,000
Reported by: 911 Call Center
Coordinates: 37.303, -84.470

A tree was blow down onto a home in the 6300 block of Willailla Road in Brodhead, KY.

Thunderstorm Wind, Rockcastle

When: May 20, 8:23 PM EST
Where: Rockcastle County, 0.57 mi NW of Pine Hill
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Crop damage: $1,000
Reported by: 911 Call Center
Coordinates: 37.336, -84.276

A tree was down near MM 10 on US-25 South Daniel Boone Trail.

Thunderstorm Wind, Estill

When: May 20, 8:34 PM EST
Where: Estill County, 0.18 mi NNW of Wisemantown
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Crop damage: $1,000
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 37.682, -84.002

Public reported a tree down blocking part of Wisemantown Rd between Richmond Rd and S Winn Rd.

Thunderstorm Wind, Estill

When: May 20, 8:35 PM EST
Where: Estill County, 0.91 mi WSW of West Irvine
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Crop damage: $1,000
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 37.694, -84.015

The public reported, through social media, a large tree down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Laurel

When: May 20, 8:45 PM EST
Where: Laurel County, 1.09 mi NNE of Vox
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $500
Crop damage: $1,000
Reported by: 911 Call Center
Coordinates: 36.995, -84.194

Laurel County 911 reported a tree down on a house in the 100 block of Lawson Lane.

Thunderstorm Wind, Whitley

When: May 20, 8:47 PM EST
Where: Whitley County, 0.69 mi S of Youngs Creek
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Crop damage: $2,000
Reported by: 911 Call Center
Coordinates: 36.860, -84.231

Trees were reported to have been blown down on US-25W near the intersection with Lick Fork Road.

Thunderstorm Wind, Whitley

When: May 20, 8:51 PM EST
Where: Whitley County, 0.4 mi NE of Balltown
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $2,000
Crop damage: $2,000
Reported by: 911 Call Center
Coordinates: 36.723, -84.164

Trees and powerlines were reported to have been blown down in the Bearkat Drive vicinity in Williamsburg.

Thunderstorm Wind, Laurel

When: May 20, 8:51 PM EST
Where: Laurel County, 0.54 mi ENE of Hopewell
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $300
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 36.983, -84.091

A report was received via social media of a window blown out at a residence by thunderstorm winds along American Greeting Card Rd near Corbin.

Thunderstorm Wind, Whitley

When: May 20, 8:57 PM EST
Where: Whitley County, 0.52 mi N of Mountain Ash
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Crop damage: $2,000
Reported by: 911 Call Center
Coordinates: 36.657, -84.129

Trees were reported to have been blown down in the Mountain Ash community.

Thunderstorm Wind, Owsley

When: May 20, 8:58 PM EST
Where: Owsley County, 0.35 mi NE of Lerose
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Crop damage: $1,000
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 37.484, -83.615

A social media report stated a tree was down in Lerose near the intersection of Lymans Creek Rd and KY-30.

Thunderstorm Wind, Powell

When: May 20, 8:59 PM EST
Where: Powell County, 0.9 mi WSW of Rosslyn
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Crop damage: $2,000
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 37.845, -83.835

The public reported via social media two trees that were downed due to thunderstorm winds.

Thunderstorm Wind, Wolfe

When: May 20, 9:00 PM EST
Where: Wolfe County, 1.55 mi NNE of Torrent
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Crop damage: $1,000
Reported by: 911 Call Center
Coordinates: 37.740, -83.657

The 911 call center reported one tree down had fallen onto KY-11 near the 4000 block in Campton.

Thunderstorm Wind, Whitley

When: May 20, 9:01 PM EST
Where: Whitley County, 1.06 mi NNW of Lot
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Crop damage: $2,000
Reported by: 911 Call Center
Coordinates: 36.615, -84.085

The 911 call center reported trees down on Keswick Road in southern Whitley County.

Thunderstorm Wind, Whitley

When: May 20, 9:03 PM EST
Where: Whitley County, 1.11 mi SW of Carpenter
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Crop damage: $2,000
Reported by: 911 Call Center
Coordinates: 36.709, -83.985

Trees were reported to have been blown down on Lick Fork Road in eastern Whitely County.

Thunderstorm Wind, Knox

When: May 20, 9:08 PM EST
Where: Knox County, 0.39 mi SW of Dewitt
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Crop damage: $2,000
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 36.876, -83.735

The public reported two trees down in the middle of KY-718 near Dewitt School.

Thunderstorm Wind, Bell

When: May 20, 9:18 PM EST
Where: Bell County, 0.2 mi N of Dorton Branch
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $1,000
Crop damage: $6,000
Reported by: 911 Call Center
Coordinates: 36.773, -83.670

The 911 call center reported 6 trees and a power line down along KY-66 in Bell County.

Thunderstorm Wind, Bell

When: May 20, 9:18 PM EST
Where: Bell County, 0.46 mi ESE of Blanche
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $1,000
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 36.818, -83.642

The public reported via social media a power line down on KY-66 from White Mountain Rd to near Long Branch Rd.

Thunderstorm Wind, Wolfe

When: May 20, 9:19 PM EST
Where: Wolfe County, 1.28 mi WSW of Daysboro
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $1,000
Crop damage: $1,000
Reported by: NWS Employee
Coordinates: 37.793, -83.392

A NWS employee reported a large tree and powerlines were reported to have been blown down between MM 12 and the Red River Elementary School on KY-191.

Thunderstorm Wind, Bell

When: May 20, 9:22 PM EST
Where: Bell County, 0.4 mi ESE of Hulen
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Crop damage: $1,000
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 36.777, -83.514

The public reported a large tree down blocking both lanes of KY-72.

Thunderstorm Wind, Bell

When: May 20, 9:27 PM EST
Where: Bell County, 0.83 mi SSW of Beverly
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Crop damage: $1,000
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 36.920, -83.537

A trained spotter reported one tree was blown down onto KY-2011 between MM 7 and 8, or approximately 0.1 miles south of intersection of KY-2011 with Sturgill Lane.

Thunderstorm Wind, Magoffin

When: May 20, 9:35 PM EST
Where: Magoffin County, 0.46 mi S of Edna
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Crop damage: $1,000
Reported by: 911 Call Center
Coordinates: 37.793, -83.151

The 911 call center reported a tree was blown down onto US-460 near the intersection with Grape Creek Road.

Thunderstorm Wind, Johnson

When: May 20, 9:55 PM EST
Where: Johnson County, 0.37 mi ENE of Volga
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Crop damage: $1,000
Reported by: 911 Call Center
Coordinates: 37.871, -82.874

The 911 call center reported a tree had been blown down on KY-172 in the Volga community.

Thunderstorm Wind, Johnson

When: May 20, 9:57 PM EST
Where: Johnson County, 0.46 mi W of Sitka
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Crop damage: $1,000
Reported by: 911 Call Center
Coordinates: 37.881, -82.838

The 911 call center reported a tree had been blown down onto KY-201 in the Sitka community.

Thunderstorm Wind, Pike

When: May 20, 10:14 PM EST
Where: Pike County, 1.28 mi N of Millard
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Crop damage: $1,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 37.438, -82.428

The Pike County EM reported a tree down on the 1800 Block of Lower Pompey Branch Rd.

Thunderstorm Wind, Harlan

When: May 20, 10:15 PM EST
Where: Harlan County, 2.31 mi ESE of Clover
Measured: 53 kt (61 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 36.920, -82.910

A 61 mph wind gust was recorded at the Harlan County Mesonet.

Thunderstorm Wind, Pike

When: May 20, 10:30 PM EST
Where: Pike County, 1.01 mi SE of Hardy
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Crop damage: $1,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 37.612, -82.235

The Pike County EM said that there was a tree down on KY-319 near the Hardy ballpark.

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.

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

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Kentucky in 2025 Every state in 2025 This day in weather history Warnings in Kentucky, May 2025

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: 1291798, 1291799, 1291801, 1292309, 1292310, 1292311, 1292312, 1292313, 1292315, 1292314, 1292317, 1292318, 1292319, 1292320, 1292321, 1292322, 1292324, 1292438, 1292439, 1292440, 1292441, 1292442, 1292443, 1292444, 1292445, 1292446, 1292447, 1292448, 1292449, 1292450, 1292451, 1292452, 1292453, 1292454, 1292455, 1292457, 1292458, 1292459, 1292460, 1292461, and more.