Tornadoes · United States · Kentucky · 2019

EF1 tornado, Robards, Kentucky, February 7, 2019

This EF1 tornado ran 1.4 miles across Henderson County on February 7, 2019, touching down at 11:57 AM CST and reaching 30 yards wide. It killed nobody, and did $5,000 of property damage.

The rating scale

Tracks are drawn in the color of the rating. The Enhanced Fujita scale rates the damage rather than measuring the wind: the speeds are what that damage is taken to imply.

  1. EF065 to 85 mph

    Light damage. Surface peeled off some roofs, gutters and siding damaged, branches broken, shallow-rooted trees pushed over.

  2. EF186 to 110 mphthis tornado

    Moderate damage. Roofs badly stripped, mobile homes overturned or badly damaged, exterior doors lost, windows broken.

  3. EF2111 to 135 mph

    Considerable damage. Roofs torn off well-built houses, frame homes shifted on their foundations, mobile homes destroyed, large trees snapped or uprooted, cars lifted off the ground.

  4. EF3136 to 165 mph

    Severe damage. Whole stories of well-built houses destroyed, large buildings badly damaged, trains overturned, trees debarked, heavy cars lifted and thrown.

  5. EF4166 to 200 mph

    Devastating damage. Well-built houses leveled, structures with weak foundations moved some distance, cars thrown and large missiles generated.

  6. EF5over 200 mph

    Incredible damage. Strong frame houses swept off their foundations, car-sized missiles thrown more than 100 meters, steel-reinforced concrete badly damaged, high-rise buildings deformed.

  7. Unrated

    The survey recorded a tornado but could not put a number on it, most often because it crossed open country and damaged nothing a rating can be read from.

The record

Rating
EF1
Date
February 7, 2019
Touchdown
11:57 AM CST (17:57 UTC)
Lifted
11:59 AM CST (17:59 UTC)
On the ground
2 minutes
Path length
1.4 miles (2.3 km)
Path width
30 yards (27 m)
Deaths
0
Injuries
0
Property damage
$5,000
County
Henderson County
Touchdown point
37.707, -87.597
Lift-off point
37.718, -87.575
Record number
1902071157-01

The damage survey

8 damage points were recorded along this path by NWS PAH, in the Damage Assessment Toolkit the survey teams carry. The strongest indicator was rated EF1. The highest wind the damage implies is 100 mph.

  • narrow damage path...40 yards?
  • At least one tree uprooted, branches snapped, at least one large trunk snapped.
  • There may have been some snapped limbs, but most of the debris ended up in this stand of trees along the apparent tornado path.
  • Little to no tree damage surrounding it.

Survey points are preliminary and are the raw material the published rating was built from. Source: NWS Damage Assessment Toolkit.

What the Weather Service recorded

A line of thunderstorms developed early in the morning from western Arkansas into south central Missouri ahead of a strong cold front. This line of storms intensified as it moved east-northeast across the mid Mississippi Valley later in the morning. Some severe weather continued through the midday hours as the line progressed up the lower Ohio Valley. This line of storms was the final round of heavy rain, which capped a very wet couple days that resulted in storm totals of 2 to 4 inches. Isolated higher amounts up to near 5 inches were reported. Isolated flooding was reported in some areas. Although instability was weak, very strong winds aloft facilitated isolated severe storms and a tornado.

A damage survey conducted by the National Weather Service revealed a short path of tornado damage a few miles northwest of the community of Robards. The maximum estimated winds were near 100 mph. A metal outbuilding completely lost its roof, with walls partially collapsed. One large tree trunk was snapped. Roofing material was lofted quite a distance into trees. Other minor tree damage was observed.

From NOAA NCEI's Storm Events Database, the narrative the local forecast office wrote for Storm Data.

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before the tornado touched down, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Paducah, KY wrote its last area forecast discussion before the tornado touched down at Feb 7, 11:53 AM CST, 4 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Feb 7, 11:53 AM CST, 4 minutes before
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Hazardous weather outlook, Feb 7, 4:20 AM CST, 7 hours 37 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Paducah KY
420 AM CST Thu Feb 7 2019

ILZ075>078-080>094-INZ081-082-085>088-KYZ001>022-MOZ076-086-087-
100-107>112-114-081030-
Jefferson-Wayne IL-Edwards-Wabash-Perry IL-Franklin-Hamilton-
White-Jackson-Williamson-Saline-Gallatin-Union-Johnson-Pope-
Hardin-Alexander-Pulaski-Massac-Gibson-Pike-Posey-Vanderburgh-
Warrick-Spencer-Fulton-Hickman-Carlisle-Ballard-McCracken-Graves-
Livingston-Marshall-Calloway-Crittenden-Lyon-Trigg-Caldwell-
Union KY-Webster-Hopkins-Christian-Henderson-Daviess-McLean-
Muhlenberg-Todd-Perry MO-Bollinger-Cape Girardeau-Wayne MO-Carter-
Ripley-Butler-Stoddard-Scott-Mississippi-New Madrid-
420 AM CST Thu Feb 7 2019

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of southern
Illinois, southwest Indiana, western Kentucky, and southeast
Missouri.

.DAY ONE...Today and Tonight

There is a slight risk of severe thunderstorms today, mainly this
morning over southeast Missouri and southwest Illinois, and then
from around midday through the early to mid afternoon farther
east. Though the main thunderstorm hazard is expected to be with
damaging wind gusts, a brief tornado of two cannot be ruled out.

A Flood Watch continues for the entire area through this evening.
Additional rainfall amounts of an inch or so are still expected,
with locally higher amounts possible.

A drastic change to very cold arctic air will take place later
today and tonight. Wind chill readings by late tonight will be in
the single digits and teens.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday

Expect wind chill values in the single digits Friday night into
early Saturday.

A light wintry mix is expected across portions of southeast
Missouri, southern Illinois and southwest Indiana early Sunday,
and again later Sunday night into early Monday.

Locally heavy rainfall will also be a possibility Monday and/or
Tuesday of next week.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation may be required today.

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Feb 7, 10:21 AM CST, 1 hour 36 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Paducah KY
1021 AM CST THU FEB 7 2019

ILZ077-078-083-INZ081-082-085-071700-
White IL-Edwards IL-Wabash IL-Posey IN-Gibson IN-Pike IN-
1021 AM CST THU FEB 7 2019

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR NORTHEASTERN WHITE...CENTRAL
WABASH...SOUTHERN EDWARDS...CENTRAL GIBSON...NORTH CENTRAL POSEY AND
NORTHERN PIKE COUNTIES UNTIL 1100 AM CST...

At 1021 AM CST, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Crossville, or 10 miles northeast of Carmi, moving northeast at 75
mph.

Wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph will be possible with this storm.

Locations impacted include...
Princeton, Mount Carmel, Petersburg, Grayville, Owensville,
Crossville, Patoka, Allendale, Bellmont, Hazleton, Keensburg, Griffin
and Phillipstown.

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.

&&

LAT...LON 3851 8765 3846 8776 3842 8771 3846 8766
      3845 8760 3850 8759 3849 8754 3852 8754
      3849 8750 3854 8743 3854 8738 3851 8737
      3854 8737 3851 8730 3854 8722 3845 8716
      3809 8810 3824 8821 3857 8765
TIME...MOT...LOC 1621Z 240DEG 64KT 3821 8806

DAVEB
Local storm report, Feb 7, 10:31 AM CST, 1 hour 26 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PADUCAH KY
1031 AM CST THU FEB 7 2019

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

0750 AM     FLASH FLOOD      1 S VAN BUREN           37.00N 91.01W
02/07/2019                   CARTER             MO   EMERGENCY MNGR

            WATER RESCUES REPORTED AND WATER WAS
            REPORTED INSIDE OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT IN
            VAN BUREN.

&&

ALR
Special weather statement, Feb 7, 10:38 AM CST, 1 hour 19 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Paducah KY
1038 AM CST THU FEB 7 2019

ILZ090-091-094-KYZ003>008-010-011-013-071715-
Massac IL-Pope IL-Hardin IL-Carlisle KY-Marshall KY-McCracken KY-
Ballard KY-Graves KY-Crittenden KY-Lyon KY-Livingston KY-Caldwell KY-
1038 AM CST THU FEB 7 2019

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR EAST CENTRAL HARDIN...
SOUTHEASTERN MASSAC...SOUTHEASTERN POPE...LIVINGSTON...CRITTENDEN...
NORTHWESTERN CALDWELL...NORTHWESTERN MARSHALL...CENTRAL CARLISLE...
MCCRACKEN...SOUTHEASTERN BALLARD...NORTHWESTERN GRAVES AND
NORTHWESTERN LYON COUNTIES UNTIL 1115 AM CST...

At 1037 AM CST, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm
line near Lovelaceville, or 7 miles west of Lone Oak, moving
northeast at 80 mph.

Wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph will be possible with this storm. Wind
gust to 45 mph have already been reported with this storm in West
Paducah at 1035 AM.

Locations impacted include...
Paducah, Metropolis, Reidland, Lone Oak, Marion, Brookport, Salem,
Burna, Ledbetter, Creswell, Joy, West Paducah, Lovelaceville,
Fredonia, Smithland, Hamletsburg and Dycusburg.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and may lead
to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.

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 Paducah.

&&

LAT...LON 3681 8904 3716 8883 3751 8806 3751 8805
      3752 8804 3751 8804 3724 8786
TIME...MOT...LOC 1637Z 241DEG 67KT 3701 8880

DAVEB
Local storm report, Feb 7, 10:45 AM CST, 1 hour 12 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PADUCAH KY
1045 AM CST THU FEB 7 2019

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

1039 AM     TSTM WND GST     2 SE HEATH              37.07N 88.77W
02/07/2019  M60 MPH          MCCRACKEN          KY   ASOS

            WIND GUST AT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE
            OFFICE.

&&

RST
Local storm report, Feb 7, 11:27 AM CST, 30 minutes before
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Local storm report, Feb 7, 11:32 AM CST, 25 minutes before
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The air that afternoon

The radiosonde launches on either side of the tornado, from the nearest station that was launching then, drawn and analyzed the way Storm Lab does: the same diagram, the same parcel and shear definitions SPC's mesoanalysis uses.

Nashville Metro, TN (KBNA), 12:00Z

6.0 hours before the tornado, 197 km from the path. February 7, 2019.

Skew-T log-pSkew-T log-p diagram, Nashville Metro, TN at 12:00Z on 2019-02-07Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel lifted from the surface. Mixed-layer CAPE 206 joules per kilogram, CIN -62, lifted condensation level 689 meters above ground. Wind barbs in knots down the right edge.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°0°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed. The warm shading is its CAPE, the cool shading the inhibition it has to break through.
HodographHodograph, Nashville Metro, TN at 12:00Z on 2019-02-07The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers as a curve, rings every 10 meters per second labeled in knots. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 352 square meters per square second, 0 to 6 km bulk shear 67 knots.1939587897117136Sfc1 km3 km6 km9 kmRMLM
The wind turning with height, colored by layer: ground to 1 km, 1 to 3 km, 3 to 6 km, 6 to 10 km. RM and LM are the right and left moving storms Bunkers' method gives; the shaded area is the 0 to 1 km storm-relative helicity.
Mixed-layer CAPE
206 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-62 J/kg
Surface CAPE
213 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
689 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
67 kt
0-1 km bulk shear
34 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
352 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
351 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.4
Supercell composite
3.6
0-3 km lapse rate
4.5 K/km

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The surface observations

Henderson City (EHR), 14 km from the path, in the two hours either side.

Time (UTC)Temp (°F)Dew point (°F)WindGust (kt)Pressure (mb)Weather
00:00 UTC

From the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of airport observations.

The radar

The Evansville,IN radar (KVWX), 62 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the touchdown began at 17:56 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment, over the track

Reflectivity and velocity, decoded from the Level II archive in the browser. Volumes take a few seconds to open the first time.

This ground now

The live radar over the trackEvery 2019 tornado in KentuckyEvery tornado in Kentucky since 1950Warnings in force in Kentucky nowThe forecast where you are

The other tornadoes of February 7, 2019

4 more were confirmed in the United States that day.

DateTimeRatingWherePath (mi)Width (yd)DeathsInjuriesDamage
February 74:27 AM CSTEF1Marion, AR2.61001$100,000
February 711:47 AM ESTEF0Knox, IN3.0300$15,000
February 711:12 AM CSTEF1Gibson, IN2.5100$150,000
February 73:17 PM ESTEF0Clark, OH7.5150$40,000

What this means

Ratings are the survey's, read off the damage rather than measured; the rating scale is above. Tornado counts rise through the record as reporting improved, so a year in the 1950s is not comparable with one today except for the strongest tornadoes, which were always noticed.

Sources

NOAA Storm Prediction Center tornado database, 1950-2025, the official record kept by NOAA's Storm Prediction Center.