Jan 12, 2023 Central KY Tornado Event

Tornadoes

Interactive Damage Survey Map - Zoom in and click the points to see damage information and pictures. All damage points are preliminary at this time. Performance of this map may be slow due to heavy internet traffic. **Zoom in to see very small, brief tornadoes.**

Tornado #1 - Pleasureville, KY Henry County Date 1/12/2023 Time (Local) 8:47 - 8:49 AM EST EF Rating EF-1 Est. Peak Winds 110 MPH Path Length 1.27 miles Max Width 100 yds Injuries/Deaths 0/0 Summary: The National Weather Service in Louisville conducted a storm survey near Pleasureville in Henry County, Kentucky for storms that occurred Thursday morning. The survey team determined the damage was consistent with an EF1 tornado with maximum winds of 110 mph. The tornado first touched down on a farm about a mile west of Pleasureville along Hillspring Road (route 1359). A large barn had damage to doors and side walls, and the structural integrity of the building was compromised and leaning. Another nearby shed was completely removed from the foundation and destroyed. A 2x4 plank was protruding from the field that was thrown by the tornado to the southeast. The tornado continued east across Hillspring Road to another farm where a barn was completely destroyed. Debris from the barn was thrown 100 yards away to the east into a nearby field with debris lofted into the standing trees. Another 2x4 plank thrown by the tornado was observed to the north of the barn and protruding from the field. The tornado continued east another mile into the town of Pleasureville along Williams Street and Main Street (route 241). Several trees were snapped and uprooted in this area, including some homes that had significant roof damage. One mobile home also received roof damage and was moved from the concrete foundational blocks. Mud splatter was observed on cars and homes in this area, ranging in the south to west directions. As the tornado crossed over Main Street, power lines were damaged and homes had more roof and tree damage. Several trees were uprooted with large branches snapped and twisted in varying directions. The tornado likely dissipated just to the east of homes damaged along Main Street in Pleasureville. No observable damage was evident along Castle Highway (Route 421) looking west. Many thanks to Martin Washburn and Mike Hilliard with Henry County EMA for their assistance with surveying the damage. Track Map Downloadable KMZ File

Courtesy of NWS Storm Survey Courtesy of NWS Storm Survey Courtesy of NWS Storm Survey Courtesy of NWS Storm Survey

Tornado #2 - Harrodsburg, KY Mercer County Date 1/12/2023 Time (Local) 9:01 - 9:05 AM EST EF Rating EF-1 Est. Peak Winds 100 MPH Path Length 3.60 miles Max Width 80 yds Injuries/Deaths 0/0 Summary: The National Weather Service in Louisville conducted a second storm damage survey in Mercer county as additional damage reports came in upstream of the previous tornado touch down point from the storms mid morning last Thursday. The survey found sprodic topping and twisting of trees on 165 Hunter Drive as well as 1111 Oakland Ln, where the tornado initially touched down. The damage was consistent with 70-75 mph wind gusts with a width of 80 yards. The data above have been adjusted for the new information...and the time stamp also was adjusted based on an analysis of the velocity data product for when the couplet went over the start and end locations. The first survey team determined the damage was consistent with an EF1 tornado with maximum winds of 100 mph and that is unchanged.The tornado continued downstream to a farm on the south side of Cornishville Rd (HWY 1989). It had sporadic tree damage including snapping, topping, and twisting some softwood trees. It then destroyed an older barn, throwing roofing from the barn up to 200 yards downwind. The winds were between 75 to 85 mph in the initial touchdown with a width of 50 yards. The tornado increased in intensity at 1966 Cornishville Rd, Harrodsburg, KY causing significant roof and gutter damage to two homes. Several trees were snapped and twisted. A large, older barn sustained significant roof and side panel damage. The debris from the two houses roofing along with the barn was thrown towards the north, east, and southeasterly directions. A few pieces from the roof of the house were impaled in the ground. Winds in this area were between 95 to 100 mph with a width of 75 yards. The tornado became more intermittent as it moved off to the east northeast. There was sporadic minor tree damage and two flipped bleachers on the west side of Kenneth D. King Middle School near the tennis courts and the tornado lifted before that point, hitting the school. Winds that struck the bleachers were around 75 mph. An excellent video posted on social media of the tornado hitting a transformer, with power flashes, was a great tool used in the survey. We would like to thank Willie from Mercer County Emergency Management for his assistance in the survey today. Track Map Downloadable KMZ File

Courtesy of NWS Storm Survey Courtesy of NWS Storm Survey Courtesy of NWS Storm Survey Courtesy of NWS Storm Survey

Tornado #3 - Danville, KY Boyle County Date 1/12/2023 Time (Local) 9:10 - 9:11 AM EST EF Rating EF-1 Est. Peak Winds 95 MPH Path Length 0.84 miles Max Width 125 yds Injuries/Deaths 0/0 Summary: The National Weather Service in Louisville conducted a storm damage survey in Boyle county for storms that rolled through mid- morning Thursday. The survey team determined the damage was consistent with an EF1 tornado with maximum winds of 95 mph. The initial touchdown occurred near the intersection of Tibbs Ln and Waterworks Rd. A large, well-built garage sustained significant roof and side wall damage with a west side uplift of the foundation of the garage. The garage debris was thrown up to 150 yards to the east with portions of 2x4s being driven into the ground. There were several trees topped, snapped, and uprooted facing from the north to the southeast. An owner of one of the homes was on his back porch and saw the tornado, and went into his basement. After some time, he came outside and 2 of his back porch support beams were bent and twisted. Winds in this area were determined to be 90 mph. Aerial photography from a drone showed significant tree damage along Waterworks Rd all the way to the Dix River. The drone showed that many trees were topped and/or twisted, and they were facing a northeasterly to southeasterly direction. At 2140 Waterworks Rd, the worst damage occurred, with significant tree damage all around a well-built house that did not have any damage. At the back of the house, two very large hardwood trees were uprooted right next to each other, creating an enormous crater. Most significantly, one tree was facing due east and the other northeast. Additionally, a fairly well-built barn lost several roof panels. The owners of the house described a 15 second deafening noise, with pine cones hitting their house from multiple directions. Winds at this house were 95mph. Drone photography showed the tree damage ended at the Dix River, but the survey team went across to the other side of the river to Taylor Rd and Stoney Point Rd, and no damage was found at all. The drone also showed a lot of straight line wind damage on both sides of the tornado, with trees facing from a westerly to easterly direction. Winds outside of the tornado were between 60 to 65 mph. The National Weather Service would like to thank Sam Butler and Brian Caldwell from Boyle County Emergency Management. Track Map Downloadable KMZ File

Courtesy of NWS Storm Survey Courtesy of NWS Storm Survey Courtesy of NWS Storm Survey Courtesy of NWS Storm Survey

Tornado - Richmond, KY MADISON COUNTY Date 1/12/2023 Time (Local) 9:42am - 9:45am EST EF Rating 1 Est. Peak Winds 105 MPH Path Length 1.2 mi Max Width 80 yd Injuries/Deaths 0/0 Summary: A tornado developed on the backside of a squall line, first touching down just south of Runyon  Grove. Near this location the tornado snapped several trees and caused major damage to a hay barn. The tornado continued northeast, where it caused damage to a chicken coop and dog run. The tornado continued into the Braemer subdivision where it caused damage to numerous trees and roof damage to several homes. The tornado lifted a travel trailer over a red sports car. This action resulted in the travel trailer being flipped on its side and rotated 90 degrees from its original orientation. The tornado continued northeast of the subdivision where it lifted shortly thereafter. No downstream damage was found. Fortunately no injuries were caused from this storm. The National Weather Service in Louisville is grateful to Madison County Emergency Management for their support during the damage survey. Track Map Downloadable KMZ File

Board speared into the ground Damage to a home in Braemer subdivision A pipe shot into the ground Damaged tree

Destroyed hay barn Trailer over red sports car

The Enhanced Fujita (EF) Scale classifies tornadoes into the following categories:

EF0 Weak 65-85 mph	EF1 Moderate 86-110 mph	EF2 Significant 111-135 mph	EF3 Severe 136-165 mph	EF4 Extreme 166-200 mph	EF5 Catastrophic 200+ mph

Wind & Hail:

Add a written summary or simply an LSR map in this section. If writing an extensive report, you can break the report down into wind and hail below (otherwise delete).

Wind

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Hail

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Radar

Mercer County Tornado: Radar imagery as the Harrodsburg, KY tornado was touching down.	Boyle County Tornado: Radar imagery as the Danville, KY tornado was touching down

Storm Reports

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT...SUMMARY
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LOUISVILLE KY
844 PM EST THU JAN 12 2023

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

0443 AM     HAIL             IRELAND                 38.42N 87.00W
01/12/2023  E1.00 INCH       DUBOIS             IN   TRAINED SPOTTER  

            QUARTER-SIZE HAIL REPORTED IN IRELAND IN 
            NORTHWEST DUBOIS COUNTY. 

0524 AM     HAIL             1 SW SAINT CROIX        38.22N 86.59W
01/12/2023  E0.70 INCH       PERRY              IN   PUBLIC           

            DIME SIZED HAIL FELL NEAR A TRUCK STOP IN 
            ST. CROIX. 

0530 AM     HAIL             3 N CHARLESTOWN         38.49N 85.67W
01/12/2023  E1.00 INCH       CLARK              IN   COCORAHS         

            TIMED BLENDED FROM RADAR ESTIMATE AND 
            OBSERVER ESTIMATE. ALSO MENTIONED THERE 
            COULD HAVE BEEN LARGER HAIL, BUT THEY DID 
            NOT MEASURE IT DIRECTLY. 

0535 AM     HAIL             CRESTWOOD               38.34N 85.48W
01/12/2023  E1.00 INCH       OLDHAM             KY   PUBLIC           

            MULTIPLE REPORTS ON SOCIAL MEDIA OF 1 INCH 
            HAIL. 

0535 AM     HAIL             3 WNW PEWEE VALLEY      38.32N 85.54W
01/12/2023  U0.50 INCH       JEFFERSON          KY   PUBLIC           

            HALF-INCH (0.50 INCH) FELL IN NORTHEASTERN 
            JEFFERSON COUNTY. 

0535 AM     HAIL             3 SW BROWNSBORO         38.32N 85.54W
01/12/2023  E0.50 INCH       JEFFERSON          KY   PUBLIC           

             

0550 AM     HAIL             3 NW SMITHFIELD         38.42N 85.28W
01/12/2023  E0.50 INCH       HENRY              KY   PUBLIC           

             

0645 AM     TSTM WND DMG     2 E MCDANIELS           37.60N 86.39W
01/12/2023                   BRECKINRIDGE       KY   PUBLIC           

            REPORTS OF BARN DAMAGE AND TREE LIMBS DOWN 
            AT A TOBACCO FARM. 

0647 AM     TSTM WND DMG     2 SW MADRID             37.60N 86.38W
01/12/2023                   BRECKINRIDGE       KY   BROADCAST MEDIA  

            ROOF DAMAGE TO BEN JOHNSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 
            GYM. 

0703 AM     HAIL             2 N GEORGETOWN          38.23N 84.55W
01/12/2023  M0.88 INCH       SCOTT              KY   TRAINED SPOTTER  

            MOST STONES AROUND 1/2 INCH, LARGEST 9/10 OF 
            AN INCH. 

0703 AM     HAIL             BRANDENBURG             38.00N 86.18W
01/12/2023  E0.88 INCH       MEADE              KY   911 CALL CENTER  

            MARBLE SIZED HAIL, BUT NONE TO THE SIZE OF 
            QUARTERS. TIME ESTIMATED FROM RADAR. 

0727 AM     HAIL             1 NW SHIVELY            38.21N 85.83W
01/12/2023  E0.88 INCH       JEFFERSON          KY   PUBLIC           

            REPORT FROM WAFFLE HOUSE. 

0727 AM     HAIL             4 SW CYNTHIANA          38.34N 84.35W
01/12/2023  E0.88 INCH       HARRISON           KY   PUBLIC           

            NICKEL (0.88 INCH) SIZED HAIL FELL AT A GAS 
            STATION OUTSIDE CYNTHIANA. 

0730 AM     TSTM WND DMG     6 ENE EPLEYS STATION    36.96N 86.81W
01/12/2023                   LOGAN              KY   EMERGENCY MNGR   

            DAMAGE TO A FEW BARNS, A GARAGE, GRAIN BIN, 
            AND LIGHT POLES DOWN ON BARREN BAILEY ROAD. 

0730 AM     TSTM WND DMG     8 ENE EPLEYS STATION    36.96N 86.78W
01/12/2023                   LOGAN              KY   PUBLIC           

            REPORTS VIA SOCIAL MEDIA OF DAMAGE TO A 
            HOUSE AND A GRAIN BIN DESTROYED. 

0735 AM     HAIL             LEITCHFIELD             37.48N 86.29W
01/12/2023  E0.75 INCH       GRAYSON            KY   TRAINED SPOTTER  

             

0744 AM     HAIL             3 SW WOODBURY           37.16N 86.68W
01/12/2023  E1.00 INCH       BUTLER             KY   PUBLIC           

            ESTIMATED QUARTER (1.0 INCH) SIZED HAIL FELL 
            AT A CONSTRUCTION COMPANY OFFICE BUILDING IN 
            SUGAR GROVE, KY. 

0750 AM     TSTM WND DMG     5 SSE ROUNDHILL         37.16N 86.42W
01/12/2023                   BUTLER             KY   911 CALL CENTER  

            TREE DOWN ON REEDYVILLE RD NEAR THE BUTLER 
            WARREN COUNTY LINE. TIME ESTIMATED BASED ON 
            RADAR DATA. 

0752 AM     TSTM WND DMG     6 SSE ROUNDHILL         37.15N 86.41W
01/12/2023                   WARREN             KY   BROADCAST MEDIA  

            TREE DOWN ON KY-185 NEAR THE WARREN/BUTLER 
            COUNTY LINE. 

0756 AM     HAIL             3 NW WINDYVILLE         37.24N 86.37W
01/12/2023  E0.50 INCH       EDMONSON           KY   PUBLIC           

             

0812 AM     TSTM WND DMG     2 ENE TONNIEVILLE       37.61N 85.77W
01/12/2023                   LARUE              KY   911 CALL CENTER  

            TREE DOWN ON OLD ELIZABETHTOWN ROAD. 

0819 AM     TSTM WND DMG     MUNFORDVILLE            37.28N 85.90W
01/12/2023                   HART               KY   EMERGENCY MNGR   

            TREE DOWN ON OLD MAIN ST. TIME ESTIMATED 
            FROM RADAR. 

0825 AM     TSTM WND DMG     3 N BALLTOWN            37.77N 85.50W
01/12/2023                   NELSON             KY   911 CALL CENTER  

            ALSO TREES DOWN ON ST. THOMAS RD. AND NEW 
            HAVEN RD. TIME ESTIMATED FROM RADAR. 

0825 AM     TSTM WND DMG     1 W CANMER              37.28N 85.80W
01/12/2023                   HART               KY   EMERGENCY MNGR   

            TREE DOWN ON BOYDS KNOB RD. TIME ESTIMATED 
            BASED ON RADAR. 

0828 AM     TSTM WND DMG     2 S BARDSTOWN           37.78N 85.47W
01/12/2023                   NELSON             KY   911 CALL CENTER  

            DOWNED TREES ON LORETTO RD NEAR WILLETT 
            DISTILLERY. TIME ESTIMATED FROM RADAR. 

0830 AM     TSTM WND DMG     1 N RAYWICK             37.58N 85.43W
01/12/2023                   MARION             KY   911 CALL CENTER  

            TREES DOWN IN RAYWICK. 

0835 AM     TSTM WND GST     4 SSW SPRINGFIELD       37.64N 85.24W
01/12/2023  M58 MPH          WASHINGTON         KY   ASOS             

            REPORT FROM K6I2 ASOS VIA NWS CHAT OF A WIND 
            GUST OF KNOTS. 

0835 AM     TSTM WND GST     LORETTO                 37.63N 85.40W
01/12/2023  M55 MPH          MARION             KY   MESONET          

            REPORT VIA THE MAKERS MARK WAREHOUSE. 

0845 AM     TSTM WND DMG     PLEASUREVILLE           38.35N 85.11W
01/12/2023                   HENRY              KY   EMERGENCY MNGR   

            LIGHT POLES AND TREES DOWN ON THE 
            INTERSECTION OF WILLIAMS STREET AND MAIN 
            STREET. 

0845 AM     HAIL             4 SSW CREAL             37.38N 85.67W
01/12/2023  E0.25 INCH       HART               KY   EMERGENCY MNGR   

            EM REPORTED PEA-SIZED HAIL COVERED THE ROAD. 

0847 AM     TORNADO          1 WNW PLEASUREVILLE     38.36N 85.13W
01/12/2023                   HENRY              KY   NWS STORM SURVEY 

            TORNADO TOUCHED DOWN WNW OF PLEASUREVILLE, 
            KY AND TRACKED EAST FOR 1.27 MILES INTO THE 
            TOWN OF PLEASUREVILLE, KY. ESTIMATED PEAK 
            WIND SPEEDS WERE 110 MPH WITH A PATH WIDTH 
            OF 100 YARDS. PLEASE SEE ASSOCIATED PUBLIC 
            INFORMATION STATEMENT (PNS) FOR MORE 
            INFORMATION. 

0850 AM     TSTM WND DMG     2 W SUMMERSVILLE        37.32N 85.66W
01/12/2023                   GREEN              KY   EMERGENCY MNGR   

            DAMAGE TO A PORCH ROOF AND PLAYGROUND 
            OCCURRED ON ATENA GROVE CHURCH ROAD. 

0900 AM     TORNADO          2 WNW HARRODSBURG       37.77N 84.89W
01/12/2023                   MERCER             KY   NWS STORM SURVEY 

            NWS STORM SURVEY TEAM DETERMINED AN EF1 
            TORNADO WITH 100 MPH WINDS IMPACTED PORTIONS 
            OF MERCER COUNTY ON JANUARY 12, 2023. THE 
            TORNADO WAS 2.25 MILES IN LENGTH AND WAS ON 
            THE GROUND FOR TWO MINUTES. PLEASE SEE THE 
            ASSOCIATED PNS FOR MORE DETAILS. 

0904 AM     TSTM WND DMG     2 WNW HARRODSBURG       37.78N 84.88W
01/12/2023                   MERCER             KY   EMERGENCY MNGR   

            DAMAGE TO HOMES, BARNS, TREES, AND FENCES 
            ALONG PORTIONS OF CORNISHVILLE ROAD. 

0904 AM     TSTM WND DMG     HARRODSBURG             37.76N 84.85W
01/12/2023                   MERCER             KY   EMERGENCY MNGR   

            DAMAGE TO MANY BUILDINGS AND TREES DOWN IN 
            DOWNTOWN HARRODSBURG. 

0907 AM     TSTM WND DMG     3 NNE DANVILLE          37.68N 84.74W
01/12/2023                   BOYLE              KY   EMERGENCY MNGR   

            MAJOR DAMAGE TO NEW GARAGE, MINOR DAMAGE TO 
            BARNS, HOMES, AND TREES DOWN NEAR WATERWORKS 
            ROAD OUTSIDE OF DANVILLE. 

0910 AM     TORNADO          4 NNE DANVILLE          37.69N 84.74W
01/12/2023                   BOYLE              KY   NWS STORM SURVEY 

            NWS STORM SURVEY TEAM DETERMINED AN EF1 
            TORNADO WITH 95 MPH WINDS IMPACTED PORTIONS 
            OF BOYLE COUNTY ON JANUARY 12, 2023. THE 
            TORNADO WAS 0.84 MILES IN LENGTH AND WAS ON 
            THE GROUND FOR ONE MINUTE. PLEASE SEE THE 
            ASSOCIATED PNS FOR MORE DETAILS. 

0915 AM     TSTM WND DMG     1 SE NICHOLASVILLE      37.86N 84.56W
01/12/2023                   JESSAMINE          KY   EMERGENCY MNGR   

            TIN ROOF PEELED OFF A BARN AT THE 
            FAIRGROUNDS. 

0922 AM     TSTM WND DMG     3 WSW BUCKEYE           37.70N 84.55W
01/12/2023                   GARRARD            KY   911 CALL CENTER  

            TREE REPORTED DOWN ACROSS POOR RIDGE PIKE 
            NEAR SAD LN. TIME ESTIMATED BASED ON RADAR. 

0935 AM     TSTM WND DMG     3 WNW RICHMOND          37.76N 84.34W
01/12/2023                   MADISON            KY   BROADCAST MEDIA  

            VIA SOCIAL MEDIA, IMAGES SHOW A CAR FLIPPED 
            ON ITS SIDE, TREES DOWN ALONG WITH ROOF AND 
            GUTTER DAMAGE ON LAKERIDGE DRIVE IN 
            RICHMOND. 

0945 AM     TSTM WND DMG     3 ENE RICHMOND          37.77N 84.24W
01/12/2023                   MADISON            KY   911 CALL CENTER  

            DISPATCHER REPORTED A BARN DAMAGED ON RUNYON 
            GROVE RD. TIME ESTIMATED FROM RADAR. 

0948 AM     TSTM WND DMG     4 SSE REDHOUSE          37.78N 84.23W
01/12/2023                   MADISON            KY   911 CALL CENTER  

            DISPATCHER REPORTED SEVERAL DAMAGE REPORTS 
            HERE. HOMES, TREES, RVS. IN THE BRAEMAR DR, 
            TAZWELL DR, AND HOOVER CIRCLE AREA. TIME 
            ESTIMATED BASED ON RADAR. 

1030 AM     HAIL             1 SW MEREDITH           37.39N 86.24W
01/12/2023  E1.00 INCH       GRAYSON            KY   PUBLIC           

            QUARTER (1.0 INCH) SIZED HAIL FELL NEAR A 
            DOLLAR GENERAL SOUTH OF PEONIA. 

1100 AM     FLOOD            2 NW MT. SALEM          37.42N 84.80W
01/12/2023                   LINCOLN            KY   TRAINED SPOTTER  

            SPOTTER REPORTED WATER ON ROADS WITH HWY 198 
            AND 518 AS WELL AS NORRIS ROAD SOUTHEAST OF 
            HUSTONVILLE. ROADS WERE NOT YET CLOSED. 

Environment

Insert synoptic summary.

Surface Analysis at 7 a.m. EST, 01/12/23. As the surface low tracked along and just north of the Ohio River, warm and moist air moved into central Kentucky.	925 mb Analysis at 7 a.m. EST, 01/12/23. 40-50 mph south-southwesterly winds helped to funnel warm and moist air into central Kentucky, with a region of higher dewpoint temperatures representing this high moisture plume.	500 mb Analysis at 7 a.m. EST, 01/12/23. The mid-level trough amplified just west of the Mississippi Valley during the early morning hours on January 12th, with diffluence aloft allowing for enhanced lift in the low-levels of the atmosphere.

Near-storm environment summary.

Mid-level Lapse Rates at 4 a.m. EST, 01/12/23. The leading wave of thunderstorms which moved across portions of northern Kentucky and southern Indiana did not have enough low-level instability to produce tornadoes or wind damage; however, there was enough instability aloft (represented by red shaded areas) for hail to develop.	Surface-based CAPE at 8 a.m. EST, 01/12/23. A corridor of 100-500 J/kg SBCAPE across central Kentucky provided just enough instability for strong winds aloft to reach the surface. This is why the subsequent rounds of thunderstorms produced more straight-line wind damage, as well as several tornadoes.	0-1 km Storm-Relative Helicity at 8 a.m. EST, 01/12/23. This parameter is a measure of how favorable the environment is for low-level rotation. There is a bullseye for higher SRH values near where the Mercer and Boyle County tornadoes occurred.

Additional environmental data.

Figure 7: Caption	Figure 8: Caption	Figure 9: Caption