National Weather Service United States Department of Commerce

Areas of Severe Thunderstorms and Excessive Rainfall Today in the Central U.S.

A storm system will track from the southern Plains to the Upper Midwest today. Severe thunderstorms are expected from east Texas into far southeast Iowa and Illinois. A strong tornado and damaging wind potential will exist from central Arkansas into central Missouri. Heavy to excessive rainfall from eastern Texas into the Midwest states may bring new or renewed areas of flooding. Read More >

Overview

An upper level low over the southern great lakes helped to generate several rounds of showers and storms across east Kentucky on July 20th.  Plentiful moisture moved northward into the Ohio river valley thanks to modest southerly flow.  With ample daytime heating, explosive thunderstorm development was seen across central and eastern Kentucky.  While a tornado and hail threat was seen initially across central Kentucky, the wind threat took over as thunderstorms evolved into a line of storms.  Many reports of storm damage were received with the most extensive damage occurring along and north of the Mountain Parkway, particularly in Montgomery County where Emergency Management reported that 47 roads were closed at one point due to downed trees and power lines resulting in nearly 4,600 power outages. Additionally, a disaster declaration was made for the county as multiple buildings sustained damage. These included a tobacco warehouse that had its roof blown off as well as a hotel in Mount Sterling whose sign and building both sustained damage from severe straight-line winds. 

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Tree Down in Mount Sterling (Photo courtesy of Kendra Fugate) Shelf Cloud in London (Photo courtesy of Johnnie Nicholson) Clay Tobacco Warehouse in Mount Sterling (Photo courtesy of Kendra Fugate)