Tornado and Flash Flood in Kentucky, May 22, 2026

Name: Tornado and Flash Flood in Kentucky, May 22, 2026
Start: 2026-05-22T18:30
End: 2026-05-22T19:30
Location: Kentucky

May 22, 2026 · NWS LMK · 2 events in 2 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: 2

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.

A unique event with limited severe weather and flash flooding occurred during the evening hours on May 22nd. A surface low pressure system slowly moved across western Kentucky, with a warm front extending to the east-northeast across much of Kentucky. Along and south of this warm front, precipitable water values exceeding 1.7 inches lead to showers and a few thunderstorms which produced efficient rainfall rates. Where heavier showers and storms trained over eastern Shelby, Henry, and western Franklin County, a few instances of flash flooding were observed. Closer to the surface low pressure center, marginal amounts of instability (around 250-500 J/kg MLCAPE) combined with relatively impressive amounts of low-level shear and helicity along the warm front to produce miniature supercells. One of these mini supercells produced a brief EF0 tornado in Butler County near Butler County High School.

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 May 22, 6:14 PM EST, 16 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

* Showers and bands of storms will continue into the evening hours that bring a Marginal Risk for severe wind gusts and a small chance (2%) of a tornado. * There continues to be a flash flood threat this evening as some storms could train over the same areas with localized rain totals tonight ranging 2-4+". Rain slowly winds down Saturday afternoon. * Episodic bouts of showers/storms are expected to continue through the weekend and into the middle of next week. Localized excessive rainfall may result in flooding in some areas.

Area forecast discussion, May 22, 6:14 PM EST, 16 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Louisville KY
714 PM EDT Fri May 22 2026

...Updated Aviation Discussion...

.KEY MESSAGES...

* Showers and bands of storms will continue into the evening hours
  that bring a Marginal Risk for severe wind gusts and a small
  chance (2%) of a tornado.

* There continues to be a flash flood threat this evening as some
  storms could train over the same areas with localized rain totals
  tonight ranging 2-4+". Rain slowly winds down Saturday afternoon.

* Episodic bouts of showers/storms are expected to continue through
  the weekend and into the middle of next week.  Localized excessive
  rainfall may result in flooding in some areas.

&&

.SHORT TERM /THROUGH SATURDAY/...
Issued at 352 PM EDT Fri May 22 2026

Scattered showers are exiting our northern areas moving NE as
convective showers and storms are rolling through our southern CWA.
Everything is moving NE and will continue to bring heavy downpours
along with the Marginal Risk of strong to severe wind gusts, small
sized hail, and a small chance of a tornado (2%). A surface low has
formed from the influence of a negatively tilted trough axis
swinging through the Plains. A warm front associated with this low
is near the Ohio River moving north creating the scattered storms
across south/central KY. Through the rest of the evening, this
surface low will pump in a surge of moisture with PWATs still in the
1.6 - 2.0" inch range. With the aid of dewpoints in the upper 60s to
near 70, a southwesterly LLJ, and slightly increased instability,
storms will continue to form within the warm sector.

In addition to the severe threat, there remains a flash flooding
threat from these storms. A primary band of storms will push
northward and begin to pivot near the surface low center trekking in
our NW over southern IN later this evening. A weak boundary will
form along the Ohio driven by the surface low creating a convergence
zone at the surface to help maintain these storms in our western KY
and southern IN counties closer to midnight tonight. Depending on
the track of these storms and the location of the convergence zone
later, a few locations could see repeated rounds of heavy rain.
Latest HREF 6hr LPMM data suggests localized areas of 2-4" of rain
is possible with these storms, hence the expanded Flood Watch area.
We will monitor the progress of these storms and should concerns for
localized flooding build, additional flood products will be issued.

The severe threat diminishes quickly just near or after sunset with
the loss of daytime instability. The LLJ will remain overnight
helping whatever convection is left but will trend towards general
storms with rumbles of thunder tonight and sub-severe wind gusts.
CAPE values also plummet near sunset as well, further supporting
general showers and weak storms tonight. Lows tonight will be mild
in the low to mid 60s.

Through the overnight, shower and storm coverage diminishes as the
weak front from the surface low pushes to the northeast. Winds shift
out of the WSW though PWAT values drop very little with dewpoints
remaining in the low 60s. By Saturday morning, spotty showers are
expected to drift towards the east along the weak boundary. This
boundary will gradually slow and become near stationary, allowing an
axis of weak lift with our mositure-rich atmosphere to spawn more
showers or additional weak storms across central/eastern locations
in our CWA. Highs on Saturday remain mild in the upper 70s.
Eventually, rain should end for everyone by Saturday night. Rainfall
totals by Saturday night have a 75% chance to be in the 0.75 - 2"
range across the area, with locally heavier totals upwards of 4"
inches possible with repeated storms that train over the same area.

&&

.LONG TERM /SATURDAY NIGHT THROUGH FRIDAY/...
Issued at 352 PM EDT Fri May 22 2026

Saturday Night...

The wave of low pressure responsible for our weather in the short
term continues to lift northeast into southern Ontario Saturday
night. A weakening sfc cold front will stall over the Ohio Valley.
We will have another weaker mid-level shortwave trough lift
northeast over the Lower Ohio Valley, but a drier overall airmass
will lead to relatively drier conditions. Spotty, light rain cannot
be ruled out overnight into early Sunday. Lows in the upper 50s and
lower 60s should be common.

Sunday - Sunday Night...

A deeper upper level trough is forecast to swing northeast over
Ontario and the Great Lakes on Sunday, with another upper level
shortwave moving east over Texas. Synoptic scale ascent looks
relatively weak over the Ohio Valley, but we will see another influx
of moisture streaming northeast from the Lower MS Valley. Only weak
low-level convergence is expected along the remnant boundary, but
diurnally-driven showers and storms will be possible in the
afternoon and evening.

Monday - Thursday...

A closed mid-level low will gradually rotate north from Texas into
the central Plains Monday through the middle of next week. A west-
east oriented axis of deep moisture pooled along a quasi-stationary
boundary will slowly lift north over KY and southern IN Monday into
Tuesday. PW values rise from 1.5 inches on Monday to 1.75 inches by
Tuesday. Slow-moving, persistent showers and occasional thunderstorm
activity will likely eventually lead to isolated flooding issues.
Fortunately, the ground can likely soak up most of this weekend's
rains in central KY due to drought conditions in recent weeks. We
will need to monitor observed rainfall trends through the weekend,
which will have an impact on the flooding potential next week.

&&

.AVIATION /00Z TAFS THROUGH 06Z SUNDAY/...
Issued at 713 PM EDT Fri May 22 2026

Scattered showers are across the region, producing some heavy rain
at times and reduced vis. Impacts to flight categories will continue
through tonight, with mostly IFR cigs across the region. HNB has the
best chance of LIFR cigs overnight and into tomorrow morning.
Otherwise, we'll see sfc winds swing around as a sfc low spins
through the area. Quite variable directions are to be expected
during the period. Rain chances linger into tomorrow morning, with
slightly more favorable trend for drier weather tomorrow. Could
begin to see some slight improvements to cigs tomorrow as well,
though most terminals will remain in at least a MVFR status.

&&

.LMK WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
KY...Flood Watch until 5 AM EDT Saturday for KYZ030-031-034-040-048-
     057.
     Flood Watch through Saturday morning for KYZ032-033-035>037-
     041>043-049.
IN...Flood Watch until 5 AM EDT Saturday for INZ077-078-090>092.
     Flood Watch through Saturday morning for INZ079.

&&

SHORT TERM...BKF
LONG TERM...EBW
AVIATION...CJP

In the hours before

Special weather statement, May 22, 1:35 PM EST, 4 hours 55 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Louisville KY
135 PM CDT Fri May 22 2026

KYZ061-062-070>074-221915-
Warren KY-Logan KY-Simpson KY-Allen KY-Edmonson KY-Barren KY-
Butler KY-
135 PM CDT Fri May 22 2026

...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT EASTERN LOGAN...SIMPSON...CENTRAL
ALLEN...SOUTH CENTRAL BUTLER...WARREN...SOUTHWESTERN BARREN AND
SOUTHERN EDMONSON COUNTIES THROUGH 215 PM CDT...

At 134 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a cluster of strong
thunderstorms along a line extending from 6 miles north of
Scottsville to 14 miles southeast of Memphis Junction to 6 miles
northwest of Cross Plains. Movement was north 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...
Bowling Green, Scottsville, Brownsville, Plum Springs, Crestmoor,
Memphis Junction, Mount Victor, Franklin, Auburn, and Smiths Grove.

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.

&&

LAT...LON 3665 8659 3665 8681 3700 8684 3726 8611
      3680 8607 3664 8657
TIME...MOT...LOC 1834Z 176DEG 29KT 3684 8616 3678 8633 3662 8674

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

RJS

Special weather statement, May 22, 2:11 PM EST, 4 hours 19 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Louisville KY
211 PM CDT Fri May 22 2026

KYZ061-062-070>072-222000-
Warren KY-Logan KY-Simpson KY-Edmonson KY-Butler KY-
211 PM CDT Fri May 22 2026

...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT LOGAN...NORTHWESTERN SIMPSON...
SOUTHERN BUTLER...WARREN AND CENTRAL EDMONSON COUNTIES THROUGH 300 PM
CDT...

At 211 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from 8 miles south of Brownsville to near Memphis
Junction to near Russellville. Movement was north at 20 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...
Bowling Green, Russellville, Brownsville, Plum Springs, Crestmoor,
Memphis Junction, Mount Victor, Anderson, Auburn, and Lewisburg.

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.

&&

LAT...LON 3733 8621 3700 8702 3667 8698 3671 8682
      3705 8617
TIME...MOT...LOC 1911Z 179DEG 15KT 3707 8623 3692 8658 3679 8688

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

RJS

Special weather statement, May 22, 2:46 PM EST, 3 hours 44 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Louisville KY
346 PM EDT Fri May 22 2026

KYZ028-053-222015-
Larue KY-Hardin KY-
346 PM EDT Fri May 22 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT CENTRAL LARUE AND SOUTHEASTERN
HARDIN COUNTIES THROUGH 415 PM EDT...

At 346 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Hodgenville, moving northeast at 30 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects.

Locations impacted include...
Hodgenville, New Haven, Lyons, Athertonville, Boundary Oak, Mathers
Mill, Leafdale, Tanner, Roanoke, and Tonieville.

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.

&&

LAT...LON 3752 8587 3776 8579 3775 8568 3773 8569
      3774 8568 3772 8565 3769 8563 3770 8560
      3769 8559 3764 8560 3764 8558 3763 8557
      3762 8559 3761 8562 3760 8560 3749 8569
TIME...MOT...LOC 1946Z 202DEG 26KT 3755 8576

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

CSG

Special weather statement, May 22, 3:07 PM EST, 3 hours 23 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Louisville KY
307 PM CDT Fri May 22 2026

KYZ026-027-061-062-222045-
Grayson KY-Edmonson KY-Butler KY-Ohio KY-
307 PM CDT Fri May 22 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHEASTERN BUTLER...WESTERN
GRAYSON...EAST CENTRAL OHIO AND NORTHWESTERN EDMONSON COUNTIES
THROUGH 345 PM CDT...

At 307 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 13
miles northeast of Morgantown, moving north at 25 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...
Casey, Lee, Caneyville, Horse Branch, Steff, Tousey, Brooklyn, Do
Stop, Neafus, and Nash.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

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.

To report severe weather, contact your nearest law enforcement
agency. They will relay your report to the National Weather Service
office in Louisville.

&&

LAT...LON 3756 8637 3731 8637 3723 8659 3752 8673
TIME...MOT...LOC 2007Z 167DEG 22KT 3731 8648

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

RJS

Special weather statement, May 22, 5:59 PM EST, 31 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Louisville KY
559 PM CDT Fri May 22 2026

KYZ070-222330-
Logan KY-
559 PM CDT Fri May 22 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHWESTERN LOGAN COUNTY
THROUGH 630 PM CDT...

At 559 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 7
miles south of Dunmor, moving northeast at 15 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects.

Locations impacted include...
Lewisburg, Insco, Spa, Diamond Springs, Wolf Lick, Lost City,
Harreldsville, Jerico, Edwards, and Hollow Bill.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

Conditions are favorable for the development of weak, brief funnel
clouds. This type of funnel cloud is harmless, but on rare occasions
they can briefly touch down, producing wind gusts over 50 mph. If a
funnel cloud is spotted move indoors and report your sighting to the
National Weather Service.

&&

LAT...LON 3703 8705 3704 8705 3707 8694 3707 8692
      3706 8686 3695 8681 3694 8703 3703 8706
TIME...MOT...LOC 2259Z 245DEG 15KT 3698 8699

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

CSG

Special weather statement, May 22, 6:19 PM EST, 11 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Louisville KY
619 PM CDT Fri May 22 2026

KYZ061-070-222345-
Logan KY-Butler KY-
619 PM CDT Fri May 22 2026

...GUSTY SHOWERS WITH ROTATION WILL IMPACT NORTH CENTRAL LOGAN AND
SOUTHWESTERN BUTLER COUNTIES THROUGH 645 PM CDT...

At 618 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking gusty showers near
Quality, moving northeast at 20 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects.

Locations impacted include...
Silver City, Harreldsville, Pleasant Hill, Dimple, Quality, Harper
Crossroads, Beechland, and Huntsville.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

Conditions are favorable for the development of weak, brief funnel
clouds. This type of funnel cloud is harmless, but on rare occasions
they can briefly touch down, producing wind gusts over 50 mph. If a
funnel cloud is spotted move indoors and report your sighting to the
National Weather Service.

&&

LAT...LON 3707 8696 3707 8694 3708 8694 3709 8690
      3711 8690 3711 8689 3712 8690 3713 8690
      3713 8691 3720 8685 3710 8671 3702 8689
      3706 8697
TIME...MOT...LOC 2318Z 224DEG 18KT 3706 8691

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

CSG

The radar

The Louisville radar (KLVX), 81 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 23:28 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

1 flash flood, 1 tornado. Local standard time, as filed.

Flash Flood, Shelby

When: May 22, 6:30 PM EST to 7:30 PM EST
Where: Shelby County, 1.63 mi W of Graefenburg
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 38.150, -85.050

Bardstown Trail was closed due to water flowing over the roadway.

Tornado, Butler

When: May 22, 6:02 PM CST to 6:03 PM CST
Where: Butler County, 1.4 mi SSW of Morgantown to 1.14 mi SSW of Morgantown
Rating: EF0
Path length: 0.3 mi
Path width: 30 yd
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 37.203, -86.713

The National Weather Service conducted a storm survey and determined that an EF0 85 mph tornado occurred in southwest Morgantown during the evening of Friday, May 22, 2026.

Tree damage was first observed at a farm at the end of Viles Cemetery Road, where several treetops were damaged and pointing in different directions ranging from the southwest to southeast consistent with a convergent pattern from the small tornado. The damage continued to the east toward Viles Cemetery where some large branches were on the ground. Nearby Viles Cemetery Road, a field of tall grasses were bent and laying south in the direction of the tornado inflow.

The tornado continued across Gardner Lane where Final Finish Repair Shop sustained extensive roof damage. The roof was peeled back to the northwest direction, while a lot of insulation was carried eastward into nearby trees and power lines. Right to the |east of Final Finish Repair Shop, the tornado lifted with no additional ground damage. However, insulation from Final Finish Repair Shop was lofted into nearby fields, across the Natcher Parkway and in nearby trees at the Butler County High School Football Stadium. In total the short lived tornado was 0.32 miles long, although insulation from the Final Finish Repair Shop was observed at least another third of a mile from the end of the tornado as it was carried by the thunderstorm.

What these are

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.
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.

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

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Kentucky in 2026 Every state in 2026 This day in weather history The tornado archive for Kentucky, 2026 Warnings in Kentucky, May 2026

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: 1341894, 1341893.