EF2 tornado, Washington, Kentucky, June 18, 2026

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 mph

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

3. EF2111 to 135 mphthis tornado

   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.

Rating, as surveyed

EF2, preliminary

Date

June 18, 2026

Touchdown

5:02 AM EDT (09:02 UTC)

Lifted

5:09 AM EDT (09:09 UTC)

On the ground

7 minutes

Path length

2.0 miles (3.2 km)

Path width

150 yards (137 m)

Deaths

0

Injuries

0

County

Mason County

Touchdown point

38.623, -83.811

Lift-off point

38.627, -83.775

Highest wind the damage implies

115 mph

Surveyed by

NWS ILN

The office's name for it

Maysville KY

Survey last edited

June 21, 2026

Record number

None yet. SPC numbers 2026 in the spring of 2027.

An EF-2 tornado occurred on the southwest side of Maysville during the early morning hours of June 18. The tornado began just west of Martha Comer Drive, snapping several hardwood tree trunks before moving across the southern portion of the Maysville Community College campus. The Kentucky Mesonet site on campus measured a wind gust of 114 mph. The tornado then tracked east and northeast across open field, eventually hitting several businesses along Kentucky Highway 9 (AA Highway), causing roof and structural damage.

As the tornado approached East Maple Leaf Road, it quickly intensified. A couple of residences were severely damaged, including an outbuilding demolished with pieces and contents of the structure thrown between 100-200 feet. This includes a 690 pound four wheeler and a large cinder block. A dual axle trailer jacked up on a block with two zero turn mowers and various other outdoor equipment inside was pushed nearly 100 feet before being stopped by a cement barrier. A house suffered extensive roof damage. A property on the east side of East Maple Leaf Road was also heavily damaged with the debris in a convergent path here as well. This includes the roof and siding of a house, several snapped and uprooted hardwood trees, and a couple of hardwood fences posted well into the ground being pulled toward the circulation. Splatter was observed on the east and south sides of the home, further suggesting a cyclonic rotation. The tornado then took a left turn toward the northeast as it snapped more trees and destroyed another portion of a fence. Additionally, on the southern side of the tornado, a couple of large barns were heavily damaged with both roofs a total loss as outflow winds occurred on the south side of the tornado. As the tornado continued on a northeast track across a field, a metal outbuilding was pulled down a hill as the circulation neared. Additional tree damage was observed east of Hill City Road before the tornado dissipated. Sporadic tree damage was reported farther northeast toward the Ohio River as a result of outflow winds.

The National Weather Service in Wilmington would like to thank Mason County Emergency Management and the state of Kentucky Emergency Management for their assistance in completing this survey.

Written by NWS ILN in the NWS Damage Assessment Toolkit. A survey is revised as better evidence arrives.

17 damage points were recorded along this path by NWS ILN, in the Damage Assessment Toolkit the survey teams carry. The strongest indicator was rated EF2. The highest wind the damage implies is 115 mph.

• Splatter on south and west side of house
• Double axle trailer with jack and 2 zero turn mowers moved 100 ft. Block lifted and thrown into ground several inches.
• 60 lb cement block lifted and thrown along with 690 lb 4 wheeler pushed and turned.
• Measured wind gust of 114 MPH at KY Mesonet site WSHT.

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

Thunderstorms developed during the evening hours and continued into the overnight hours as a low pressure system moved through the Ohio Valley.

The tornado began just west of Martha Comer Drive, snapping several hardwood tree trunks before moving across the southern portion of a community college campus. The Kentucky Mesonet site on campus measured a wind gust of 114 mph. The tornado then tracked east and northeast across open field, eventually hitting several businesses along Kentucky Highway 9 (AA Highway), causing roof and structural damage. As the tornado approached East Maple Leaf Road, it quickly intensified. A couple of residences were severely damaged, including an outbuilding demolished with pieces and contents of the structure thrown between 100 to 200 feet. This included a 690 pound four wheeler and a large cinder block. A dual axle trailer jacked up on a block was pushed nearly 100 feet before being stopped by a cement barrier. A house suffered extensive roof damage. A property on the east side of East Maple Leaf Road was also heavily damaged with the debris in a convergent path. This included the roof and siding of a house, several snapped and uprooted hardwood trees, and a couple of hardwood fences that were posted well into the ground, that were pulled toward the circulation. Splatter was observed on the east and south sides of the home, further suggesting a cyclonic rotation. |The tornado then took a left turn toward the northeast as it snapped more trees and destroyed another portion of a fence. Additionally, on the southern side of the tornado, a couple of large barns were heavily damaged with both roofs a total loss, as outflow winds occurred on the south side of the tornado. As the tornado continued on a northeast track across a field, a metal outbuilding was pulled down a hill as the circulation neared. Additional tree damage was observed east of Hill City Road before the tornado dissipated. Sporadic tree damage was reported farther northeast toward the Ohio River as a result of outflow winds.

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

NWS Wilmington, OH wrote its last area forecast discussion before the tornado touched down at Jun 18, 3:36 AM EDT, 1 hour 26 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

• 1) Severe weather and flash flooding overnight. 2) Another system will bring a return of rain chances for the weekend.

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Wilmington OH
336 AM EDT Thu Jun 18 2026

.WHAT HAS CHANGED...
Cancelled northern part of the flood watch where heavier rain has
come to an end.

&&

.KEY MESSAGES...
1) Severe weather and flash flooding overnight.

2) Another system will bring a return of rain chances for the
weekend.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
KEY MESSAGE 1)

Thunderstorms continue to move across the region. Due to the
generally west to east motion, flash flooding will continue to be a
concern overnight. Due to this, continued the flood watch for flash
flooding.  With shear and strong winds with this system, damaging
winds and the potential for tornadoes will continue to be a concern.

KEY MESSAGE 2)

After some showers and isolated thunderstorms on Thursday, dry
conditions are expected for Friday. Precipitation chances return for
Saturday. There is some variability with this system which has kept
precipitation chances lower, however there is the potential for
showers and storms during the day. There is more model agreement on
Sunday with widespread precipitation moving through. There will be
the potential for some residual showers and storms Monday morning.

&&

.AVIATION /07Z THURSDAY THROUGH MONDAY/...
Thunderstorms will continue move across the TAF sites overnight.
There will be visibility reductions, reduced cigs, and gusty winds
with some of these storms. LLWS will also be possible overnight along
with gusty winds outside of thunderstorm activity as well.
Thunderstorms will gradually taper off and dry conditions are
expected for awhile for the daytime morning hours. Additional showers
will develop for the afternoon and have tempo shra in the TAFs.
Additional wind gusts are expected during the day before tapering off
in the evening. Dry conditions are generally expected overnight
Thursday night.

OUTLOOK...Thunderstorms possible Sunday and Monday.

&&

.ILN WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
OH...Flood Watch until 10 AM EDT this morning for OHZ070-071-077>079-081.
KY...Flood Watch until 10 AM EDT this morning for KYZ089>099.
IN...Flood Watch until 10 AM EDT this morning for INZ066-073>075-080.

&&

DISCUSSION...08
AVIATION...08

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Wilmington OH
340 AM EDT Thu Jun 18 2026

INZ050-058-059-OHZ026-034-035-042>046-051>056-060>062-190745-
Wayne-Fayette-Union-Hardin-Mercer-Auglaize-Darke-Shelby-Logan-
Delaware-Miami-Champaign-Clark-Madison-Franklin-Licking-Preble-
Montgomery-Greene-
340 AM EDT Thu Jun 18 2026

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for east central Indiana, central
Ohio and west central Ohio.

.DAY ONE...Today and tonight.

The probability for widespread hazardous weather is low.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday.

The probability for widespread hazardous weather is low.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation is not expected at this time.

KYZ100-OHZ063>065-072>074-080-082-088-190745-
Lewis-Fayette-Pickaway-Fairfield-Clinton-Ross-Hocking-Highland-Pike-
Scioto-
340 AM EDT Thu Jun 18 2026

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for northeast Kentucky, central
Ohio, south central Ohio and southwest Ohio.

.DAY ONE...Today and tonight.

Severe thunderstorms will be possible early this morning. Damaging
wind is the primary threat. However, localized flash flooding and
isolated tornadoes are also possible.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday.

There is a low probability for widespread hazardous weather.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotters are asked to report significant weather when it is safe to
do so.

INZ066-073>075-080-KYZ089>099-OHZ070-071-077>079-081-190745-
Franklin-Ripley-Dearborn-Ohio-Switzerland-Carroll-Gallatin-Boone-
Kenton-Campbell-Owen-Grant-Pendleton-Bracken-Robertson-Mason-Butler-
Warren-Hamilton-Clermont-Brown-Adams-
340 AM EDT Thu Jun 18 2026

...FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 AM EDT THIS MORNING...

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for southeast Indiana, northern
Kentucky, south central Ohio and southwest Ohio.

.DAY ONE...Today and tonight.

Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the
Internet for more information about the following hazards.

   Flood Watch.

Severe thunderstorms will be possible early this morning. Damaging
wind and isolated tornadoes will be possible.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday.

There is a low probability for widespread hazardous weather.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotters are asked to report significant weather when it is safe to
do so.

In the hours before

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Wilmington OH
346 AM EDT Thu Jun 18 2026

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

1240 AM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     1 SW Florence           38.99N 84.65W
06/18/2026                   Boone              KY   Emergency Mngr

            A roof sustained damage. Tornado possible.

&&

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Wilmington OH
351 AM EDT Thu Jun 18 2026

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

0130 AM     Flash Flood      Aurora                  39.05N 84.90W
06/18/2026                   Dearborn           IN   Broadcast Media

            News footage of rushing water near the
            Hillforest House Museum.

&&

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Wilmington OH
355 AM EDT Thu Jun 18 2026

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

0201 AM     Flash Flood      5 NW Oldenburg          39.39N 85.25W
06/18/2026                   Franklin           IN   911 Call Center

            Bullfork Road closed.

&&

JCG

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Wilmington OH
356 AM EDT Thu Jun 18 2026

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

0130 AM     Flash Flood      3 WSW Saint Bernard     39.15N 84.54W
06/18/2026                   Hamilton           OH   Dept of Highways

            High water reported over portions of I-75,
            closing parts of the roadway.

&&

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Wilmington OH
414 AM EDT Thu Jun 18 2026

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

0342 AM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     Carrollton              38.68N 85.18W
06/18/2026                   Carroll            KY   Trained Spotter

            Tree blown down. Time estimated via radar
            data.

&&

04

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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.

Flemingsburg (FGX), 10 km from the path, in the two hours either side.

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

The Cincinnati radar (KILN), 88 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the touchdown began at 08:59 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.

The live radar over the trackEvery 2026 tornado in KentuckyEvery tornado in Kentucky since 1950Warnings in force in Kentucky nowThe forecast where you are

50 more have been surveyed in the United States that day, so far.

Ratings are the survey's, read off the damage rather than measured; the rating scale is above. A survey can be revised, so the rating, the path and the casualties can all still change.

NWS Damage Assessment Toolkit, the record the survey teams file from the damage, and NOAA Storm Prediction Center storm reports. Neither is the official database for 2026, which SPC publishes in the spring of 2027.