On April 27th, as a low pressure system moved east towards the Lower Ohio Valley, the system's warm front brought a line of convection east along the Ohio River and Interstate 64. This produced widespread wind damage with limited flash flooding across north central Kentucky.
Every event with a place to put it. Tap one for its entry below.
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.
The episode as NWS LMK wrote it up.
On April 27th, as a low pressure system moved east towards the Lower Ohio Valley, the system's warm front brought a line of convection east along the Ohio River and Interstate 64. This produced widespread wind damage with limited flash flooding across north central Kentucky. On April 28th, the system's cold front dropped southeast, bringing a line of thunderstorms through central Kentucky. This produced additional wind damage and multiple small tornadoes.
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 Apr 27, 3:12 PM EST, 3 hours 34 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Louisville KY 412 PM EDT Mon Apr 27 2026 .KEY MESSAGES... * Strong to severe thunderstorms are expected Monday evening and Monday night. A relatively higher risk for severe weather exists west of I-65, but isolated damaging winds will still be possible east to the I-75 corridor. * Another round of strong to severe storms is expected Tuesday evening and into the overnight. Damaging winds and large hail are the main severe threats. * Temperatures cool Wednesday afternoon and will run below average through next weekend for late April/early May. Mostly dry weather is expected after Wednesday, with a slight chance for light rain on Friday. && .SHORT TERM /THROUGH TUESDAY/... Issued at 412 PM EDT Mon Apr 27 2026 A small cluster of thunderstorms is lifting northeast across southern IN this afternoon. One severe thunderstorm dropped quarter to golf ball size hail through portions of Warrick and Dubois counties. This activity formed in an area of robust mid-level warm advection and on the eastern fringe of a 45-50 kt SSW low-level jet. These storms have begun to diminish in intensity as they push east of the richer low-level moisture and the stronger plume of instability. Current satellite imagery and SPC mesoanalysis data reveal a plume of moderate to strong instability extending north into the Mid-MS River Valley. While the core of this instability plume will stay to our west over MO/IL/western KY, the 40-50 kt SW LLJ will propagate eastward over the Lower OH Valley through the evening and early overnight hours. The robust low level flow should bring mid to upper 60s sfc dewpoints as far west as the I-65 corridor. Despite early day clouds and scattered convection, MLCAPE of 1000-1500 J/kg should be realized west of I-65 through 00Z this evening. This could be important if the convective complex over southeastern IL can dive southeast a bit faster into portions of SW Indiana and west-central KY. Think we may see thunderstorms push into our NW CWA a bit faster between 5-8 PM this evening. Heavy rainfall, gusty winds, lightning, and hail would all be possible with this activity, and isolated severe gusts/hail are also possible. After 00Z this evening, convective evolution is messy and lower confidence. Multiple discrete cells and convective clusters should tend to evolve eastward across portions of central KY ahead of a primary convective line. This activity should tend to grow upscale before being absorbed by a QLCS late tonight. But expect rain and thunderstorm chances to ramp up from west to east across central KY between 00-06Z this evening. Isolated to widely scattered instances of 60-70+ mph damaging straight-line winds are the primary severe threat. As instability wanes overnight, storms may tend to become more elevated in nature (resulting in a much lower hail and tornado risk). The robust low-level flow and curvature will maintain at least a low-end tornado risk through the late evening hours. Showers and storms will exit the region from NW to SE early Tue morning. Tuesday looks relatively dry overall; spotty light showers will be possible as the sfc cold front stalls over the region. However, much of the day looks mostly dry with any additional widespread rain holding off until after 8 PM EDT Tue. && .LONG TERM /TUESDAY NIGHT THROUGH MONDAY/... Issued at 412 PM EDT Mon Apr 27 2026 ===Another Round of Storms Tuesday Evening into Tuesday Night=== Another fast-moving mid/upper level shortwave trough is forecast to swing east across the stalled sfc boundary Tuesday into Tuesday night. Storms are expected to initiate upstream over the Ozarks during the afternoon hours. It appears at least a portion of this activity could grow upscale into an MCS, which then races east along the remnant sfc boundary/instability gradient draped through central KY. The most likely arrival time in our western/southwestern forecast area is around 7-8 PM CDT. Large hail and damaging winds would both be on the table at this time, especially across south- central KY. The southern portion of the CWA (south of the stalled boundary) will see stronger destabilization Tue afternoon and evening ahead of any approaching MCS. Shower and thunderstorm chances peak overnight, with the chance for severe weather waning after 06Z Wednesday due to the loss of instability. A deepening sfc wave is forecast to lift northeast across the eastern half of KY early Wednesday morning as the primary mid-level wave swings over the Midwest. Expect widespread showers to linger through Wednesday morning before tapering off from NW to SE Wednesday afternoon. ===Drier and Cooler Weather to End the Week=== Cooler, drier air filters into the region Wednesday and Wednesday night behind the departing weather system. Clearing skies will allow temperatures to drop into the low to mid 40s Thursday morning. Modifying high pressure builds into the region for Thursday, with fair weather and highs in the 60s. A small chance (20%) for rain returns by Friday as a weak cold front dips in from the north. A separate southern stream low pressure system is expected to spread rainfall across the Southeast Friday into Saturday. At this time, it looks like central KY and southern IN is mostly likely to stay dry through the weekend with weak high pressure once again building in from the northwest. && .AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z WEDNESDAY/... Issued at 156 PM EDT Mon Apr 27 2026 A small line of TSRA will lift NE across southern IN at the start of this TAF period, impacting HNB in the first hour of this TAF period. HNB can expect MVFR and possibly brief IFR conditions in heavy TSRA. Lightning, gusty winds, and small hail will all be possible at the terminal. Otherwise, mainly dry conditions will continue through the afternoon hours in central KY. TSRA chances will mostly hold off until 00Z Tue and beyond tonight. SCT TSRA chances will increase from the northwest this evening ahead of a main convective line. This main convective line will push southeast through southern IN and central KY between 03-09Z Tue. Heavy rainfall, lightning, and strong gusty winds will all be possible within this line. There is also a low-end risk for a brief tornado. Low-end MVFR and borderline IFR ceilings will develop in the wake of the storms early Tuesday. Low clouds will slowly lift back to VFR Tue afternoon. && .LMK WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... KY...None. IN...None. && SHORT TERM...EBW LONG TERM...EBW AVIATION...EBW
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Louisville KY 414 PM EDT Mon Apr 27 2026 INZ076>079-083-084-089>092-KYZ023>043-045>049-053>057-061>067- 070>078-081-082-282015- Orange-Washington IN-Scott IN-Jefferson IN-Dubois-Crawford-Perry- Harrison IN-Floyd-Clark IN-Hancock-Breckinridge-Meade-Ohio-Grayson- Hardin-Bullitt-Jefferson-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- 414 PM EDT Mon Apr 27 2026 /314 PM CDT Mon Apr 27 2026/ This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of southern Indiana and central Kentucky. .DAY ONE...Tonight. There is a risk of severe storms this evening and overnight. Damaging winds and isolated tornadoes are the main hazards. Excessive rainfall could result in localized flooding in southern Indiana. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday. Another round of strong to severe storms will be possible Tuesday evening through early Wednesday morning. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Weather spotters are encouraged to report significant weather conditions according to Standard Operating Procedures. && More information, along with other weather, hydrological and climate information can be found, at weather.gov/louisville. EBW
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Louisville KY
552 PM EDT Mon Apr 27 2026
INZ078-079-092-KYZ032-272230-
Jefferson IN-Clark IN-Scott IN-Trimble KY-
552 PM EDT Mon Apr 27 2026
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT JEFFERSON...NORTHEASTERN CLARK...
SCOTT AND TRIMBLE COUNTIES THROUGH 630 PM EDT...
At 551 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a cluster of strong
thunderstorms near Scottsburg and Madison, moving east at 40 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 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...
Madison, Scottsburg, Bedford, Vienna, Austin, Lexington, Hanover,
Saluda, Smyrna, and Bethlehem.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm and may lead to
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
To report severe weather, contact your nearest law enforcement
agency. They will relay your report to the National Weather Service
office in Louisville.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 700 PM EDT for
south central Indiana...and central Kentucky.
&&
LAT...LON 3869 8520 3874 8527 3874 8533 3873 8533
3858 8521 3858 8518 3856 8520 3853 8524
3852 8544 3844 8584 3857 8585 3858 8588
3871 8589 3874 8584 3881 8579 3883 8573
3882 8570 3882 8561 3891 8553 3891 8520
TIME...MOT...LOC 2151Z 258DEG 36KT 3869 8564
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
WebbSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Louisville KY
608 PM EDT Mon Apr 27 2026
INZ076-077-083-084-272300-
Crawford IN-Orange IN-Washington IN-Dubois IN-
608 PM EDT Mon Apr 27 2026
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT NORTHEASTERN DUBOIS...NORTHERN
CRAWFORD...ORANGE AND NORTHWESTERN WASHINGTON COUNTIES THROUGH 700 PM
EDT...
At 608 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a cluster of strong
thunderstorms along a line extending from 8 miles east of Shoals to
11 miles west of Paoli to 11 miles east of Jasper. Movement was east
at 30 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 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...
Paoli, English, Orleans, French Lick, Stampers Creek, Marengo,
Orangeville, West Baden Springs, Birdseye, and Saltillo.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with these storms.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.
These storms may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 700 PM EDT for
south central Indiana.
&&
LAT...LON 3877 8624 3861 8629 3827 8636 3831 8683
3853 8679 3853 8668 3869 8668 3869 8631
3873 8631 3874 8629 3877 8628
TIME...MOT...LOC 2208Z 263DEG 25KT 3870 8665 3857 8669 3839 8673
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
RJSSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Louisville KY
707 PM EDT Mon Apr 27 2026
INZ076-083-084-272330-
Crawford IN-Orange IN-Dubois IN-
707 PM EDT Mon Apr 27 2026
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT NORTHERN DUBOIS...NORTHWESTERN
CRAWFORD AND ORANGE COUNTIES THROUGH 730 PM EDT...
At 707 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a cluster of strong
thunderstorms along a line extending from 10 miles south of Bedford
to 8 miles east of Jasper. Movement was east at 35 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...
Jasper, Paoli, English, Huntingburg, Orleans, French Lick, Stampers
Creek, Orangeville, West Baden Springs, and Birdseye.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
These storms may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional
information and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.
To report severe weather, contact your nearest law enforcement
agency. They will relay your report to the National Weather Service
office in Louisville.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 900 PM EDT for
south central Indiana.
&&
LAT...LON 3829 8703 3853 8682 3853 8668 3869 8668
3869 8631 3857 8633 3833 8643
TIME...MOT...LOC 2307Z 255DEG 30KT 3871 8653 3844 8679
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
RJSSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Louisville KY
712 PM EDT Mon Apr 27 2026
INZ090>092-KYZ030-272345-
Floyd IN-Clark IN-Harrison IN-Jefferson KY-
712 PM EDT Mon Apr 27 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT EAST CENTRAL HARRISON...SOUTH
CENTRAL CLARK...SOUTHEASTERN FLOYD AND CENTRAL JEFFERSON COUNTIES
THROUGH 745 PM EDT...
At 712 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
St. Dennis, moving east at 20 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 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...
Louisville, Jeffersonville, New Albany, St. Matthews, Shively,
Graymoor-Devondale, Windy Hills, Audubon Park, Beechwood Village, and
West Buechel.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
To report severe weather, contact your nearest law enforcement
agency. They will relay your report to the National Weather Service
office in Louisville.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 900 PM EDT for
south central Indiana.
&&
LAT...LON 3819 8601 3830 8590 3831 8561 3811 8565
TIME...MOT...LOC 2312Z 277DEG 18KT 3824 8590
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
RJSSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Louisville KY
716 PM EDT Mon Apr 27 2026
INZ092-KYZ030>032-272345-
Clark IN-Jefferson KY-Oldham KY-Trimble KY-
716 PM EDT Mon Apr 27 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT EASTERN CLARK...OLDHAM...
SOUTHWESTERN TRIMBLE AND NORTHERN JEFFERSON COUNTIES THROUGH 745 PM
EDT...
At 716 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Jeffersonville, moving east at 45 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts of 50 to 55 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...
Jeffersonville, La Grange, Prospect, Worthington Hills, Coldstream,
Green Spring, Glenview, Charlestown, Crestwood, and Orchard Grass
Hills.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional
information and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.
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.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 900 PM EDT for
south central Indiana...and central Kentucky.
&&
LAT...LON 3830 8573 3850 8572 3857 8538 3833 8531
TIME...MOT...LOC 2316Z 264DEG 37KT 3835 8570
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...55 MPH
RJSSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Louisville KY
729 PM EDT Mon Apr 27 2026
KYZ030-031-033-034-280000-
Jefferson KY-Oldham KY-Shelby KY-Henry KY-
729 PM EDT Mon Apr 27 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHERN OLDHAM...NORTHWESTERN
SHELBY...SOUTHWESTERN HENRY AND NORTHEASTERN JEFFERSON COUNTIES
THROUGH 800 PM EDT...
At 729 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Briarwood, moving east at 45 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 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...
Louisville, Jeffersontown, St. Matthews, Shelbyville, Lyndon, La
Grange, Middletown, Douglass Hills, Prospect, and Hurstbourne.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
To report severe weather, contact your nearest law enforcement
agency. They will relay your report to the National Weather Service
office in Louisville.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 900 PM EDT for
south central Indiana.
&&
LAT...LON 3840 8522 3817 8517 3820 8567 3833 8566
3835 8564 3838 8564
TIME...MOT...LOC 2329Z 265DEG 39KT 3828 8560
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
RJSThe Louisville radar (KLVX), 53 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 23:43 UTC.
38 thunderstorm wind, 5 tornado, 3 flash flood. Local standard time, as filed.
There was a tree down on the 1800 block of Johnson Road.
There were several trees down and a few uprooted in the Crystal Lake Subdivision.
A tree split and fell on a residential shed.
There was one white pine uprooted and four white pines with snapped trunks on Lincoln Run Road.
There were trees down in Smithfield.
A newer pole barn type outbuilding was blown apart and leveled on Old Hanna Road.
A barn was destroyed and power poles were bent.
Three trees fell with one falling on a power line.
Flash flooding was reported in the Portland area between Dr. WJ Hodge Street and Portland Avenue.
There were two cars submerged under the train bridge at Breckinridge Lane and Six Mile Road.
Trees fell down and a barn was damaged.
A tree fell across State Road 271 South.
There was tree damage off of Hinkle Lane.
There were power lines down on Steedland Drive.
A tornado briefly touched down and affected all trees in sparsely populated locations of western Ohio County. The tornado touched down just south of Locks Road and did tree damage along a nearly 2 mile track through the Rough River Valley.
The EF-1 tornado touched down briefly near the Rough River. It intensified as it crossed Highway 69, doing significant tree damage and some minor structural damage to homes along Highway 69. The tornado continued to the southeast where it ripped much of the roof of a home along Mill Run Lane, before lifting just before the Hartford, KY Airport.
There were power lines and trees down along Crab Tree Alley.
There were power lines and trees down near Walnut and Clay Streets.
There was a tree down on power lines near the 400 block of Double Culvert Road.
There was roof damage to a home off of Pedro Pike.
A large limb fell through the roof of an outbuilding on Reynolds Avenue.
Several large trees fell with one falling across a fence line.
There was a tree down blocking the right lane of US 460 at Fishers Mill Road.
The roof of a barn was blown off and thrown 100 feet near where Cole Lane becomes Cole Road.
Large trees snapped and were uprooted in the Midway cemetery.
There were three large trees snapped along Bowman Mill Road.
A brief tornado touched down near Raider Hollow Road. It continued on the ground for roughly one mile, doing mostly tree damage along its one mile path.
Trees were down on Frenchman knob Road and Locust Grove Road.
A tree was blocking both lanes on the 1600 block of Omar Chaney Road.
A tree was down Pikeview Road near Powder Mills Road.
A tree was blocking the road near the intersection of Defries Road and Davis Bend Road.
There was a tree blocking Lemon Bend Road between Antle Lane and Stubbs Road.
There was a tree blocking the road in front of Harmon Furniture.
There was a large tree blocking the Cumberland Parkway.
A tree was blocking an unknown roadway.
A tree was blocking the road at the intersection of Akersville Road and Ridge Top Road.
Trees were blocking most of an unknown roadway.
There was a tree down on New Salem Road.
The National Weather Service conducted a damage survey in Green County for the storms that occurred in the early morning hours on April 28, 2026. Straight line wind damage was observed to occur with max wind speeds of 80 mph.
Damage was mainly concentrated near Greensburg, KY along US Highway 68. Damage to trees and power lines were observed to the south and southeast of Greensburg along Columbia Highway, on route 417 (East Columbia Avenue) and on Brummal Avenue near Green County High School. Damage continued to the east and fanned out in nature consistent with a straight line wind downdraft along Cox Bend area near Taylor Cox Road. Mostly trees were damaged with large limbs in the Cox Bend area. The most notable damage was a single wide trailer roof completely peeled off near Coxes Bend |Road and Darnell Road. All damage was consistent with facing in the easterly direction associated with straight line wind damage.
Another damage point was reported near the Exie fire department well south of Greensburg on US Highway 68 where a couple of power poles were down, but no other tree or structure damage was observed near this area. This damage was also straight |line wind damage, but was in a different area than the points near and east of Greensburg, KY.
There was a tree down on Whitewood Road.
There was an electric pole down at US 68 and Matney Road.
North College Street was impassable due to high water.
The National Weather Service investigated an area where radar briefly showed a tornado debris signature (TDS) as the outflow from two different storms merged near the Hardin and LaRue County line. This track moves along a lot of open field, but the TDS apparently started in a forested area just south of Union Church Rd and east of Mack Thomas Rd in far eastern Hardin County, but no damage was found on the ground in Hardin County. The survey crew began the tornado in Hardin County by only using a TDS radar signature.
After the radar tornado debris signature (TDS) left Hardin County it moved into Laru County. This EF0 tornado likely skipped several times along its 2.2 mile track. Damage indicators were hard to come by, but a playground at Union Christian Church was damaged. No damage was found along Kerrick Lane where the track of the rotation passed, but then some tree damage was noted on Dan Dunn Rd and then ended on Spencer School Rd.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Kentucky in 2026Every state in 2026This day in weather historyThe tornado archive for Kentucky, 2026Warnings in Kentucky, April 2026
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: 1337648, 1337645, 1337646, 1337651, 1337655, 1337650, 1337652, 1337649, 1337703, 1337705, 1337657, 1337658, 1337660, 1337647, 1337653, 1337661, 1336747, 1336751, 1337662, 1337663, 1337688, 1337678, 1337680, 1337682, 1337687, 1337685, 1337683, 1337684, 1336750, 1337671, 1337672, 1337674, 1337673, 1337665, 1337664, 1337669, 1337668, 1337675, 1337676, 1336756, and more.