Overview
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Scattered thunderstorms rapidly developed across southeast Missouri around 9 PM on August 19th and then continued to expand eastward across our region through the late evening and into the overnight hours. A combination of supercells and bowing line segments occurred. Damaging winds of 60 to 80 mph impacted portions of southeast Missouri, far southern Illinois, and western Kentucky. A more intense area of straight line winds (known as a macroburst) occurred across Carlisle and Graves counties Kentucky where winds of 80 to 105 mph produced significant damage. Right before this unfolded, a brief EF-1 tornado touched down west of Lowes, KY. A few hail reports were observed early on in the event, including a report of 2" diameter hail near Van Buren, MO. Training thunderstorms set up which lead to flash flooding occurring across parts of southeast Missouri and far western Kentucky. 24 hour rainfall totals ranged from 3 to 7" in the heaviest swath. |
Tornadoes
Select a tornado from the table to zoom into the track and view more information. The default table view is limited to 8 tracks, but can be scrolled by a mouse wheel or dynamically expanded. Additionally, the table can fill the entire window by clicking the small circular expanding arrow icon at the very top right of the table and returned to its original size by clicking the button again. The side information panel that opens over the map can be closed using the "X" on the upper right corner of the pop-up. Zoom into the map and click damage points to see detailed information and pictures from the surveys.
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NOTE: times shown below are local to your device's time zone. (Please disregard the EF-U showing up in the table from up in northern Indiana) |
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 |
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| Tornadoes that fail to impact any ratable damage indicators on the EF-Scale are rated EF-Unknown (EF-U) | |||||
Wind
A large area of exceptionally strong straight line winds touched down across northeast Carlisle County in the Cunningham area and expanded east-southeastward from there across the northern half of Graves County. We determined wind speeds in this area ranged from 80 to 105 mph. The approximate length of this macroburst was nearly 19 miles and the max width was nearly 8 miles. Significant tree damage occurred along with numerous outbuildings that were heavily damaged or destroyed and several homes that suffered some degree of shingle or roof damage.
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| Polygon showing the area where the Macroburst occurred in Carlisle and Graves Counties |
Rain Reports
A swath of very heavy rainfall with amounts ranging from 3 to 7" was observed across southeast Missouri and far western Kentucky. While the heaviest and most widespread amounts occurred from late evening on the 19th into early morning on the 20th, there was a swath of 1-3" that preceded this across parts of southeast Missouri during the morning of the 19th.
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| Radar estimates for Aug 19-20, 2026 |
Radar
Here is a radar loop from the event, starting at 9 PM on August 19th and continuing through 6 AM on August 20th.
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| Radar Reflectivity and Velocity from KPAH at 11:47 PM | Radar Reflectivity and Velocity from KPAH at 12:10 AM |
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| Radar Reflectivity and Velocity from KPAH at 12:31 AM |
Photos
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| Bardwell, KY via Larie Chandler | Benton KY via Beau Dodson | Carlisle County near Bardwell via Josh Glover | Cunningham KY via Josh Glover |
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| Grain bin damaged in Graves County via Beau Dodson | Hickory KY area via Josh Kerr | Hickory KY via Beau Dodson | Mayfield, KY via Nanci Janssen |
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| NWS Damage Survey Graves County | NWS Damage Survey Graves County | Pottsville area of Graves County via Loretta Maldaner |
Storm Reports
Here is an interactive map of local storm reports from this event. Preliminary Local Storm Report...Summary National Weather Service Paducah KY 746 PM CDT Thu Aug 20 2026 ..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON... ..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE.... ..REMARKS.. 0955 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 6 WNW Glenallen 37.33N 90.13W 08/19/2026 Bollinger MO Law Enforcement Tree down along Hwy DD near intersection of County Road 804. 1019 PM Hail 1 N Van Buren 37.02N 91.01W 08/19/2026 E2.00 Inch Carter MO Public 1035 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 1 E Advance 37.11N 89.90W 08/19/2026 Stoddard MO Public Corrects previous tstm wnd dmg report from 1 E Advance. Power outage reported, though timing is in question. 1117 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 1 NW Anna 37.47N 89.26W 08/19/2026 Union IL Utility Company Multiple customers without power reported. 1118 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg Mound City 37.09N 89.16W 08/19/2026 Pulaski IL Utility Company A few separate power outages in Mounds City. 1119 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 1 S Kelso 37.17N 89.55W 08/19/2026 Scott MO Utility Company Numerous customers reporting power outage. 1121 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 0 E Morley 37.04N 89.61W 08/19/2026 Scott MO Utility Company Debris in roadway. 1126 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 0 NE Benton 37.10N 89.56W 08/19/2026 Scott MO Utility Company Power outages reported. 1145 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg Cunningham 36.91N 88.89W 08/19/2026 Carlisle KY Law Enforcement Several trees fell on homes in Cunningham area. Time estimated. 1147 PM Tornado 3 ESE Cunningham 36.89N 88.83W 08/19/2026 Carlisle KY NWS Storm Survey An EF-1 tornado touched down in Carlisle County 3 miles east-southeast of Cunningham and was on the ground for 1.5 miles before lifting 2 miles west of Lowes in Graves County. Peak winds were 100 mph and max width was 75 yards. 1149 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg Cunningham 36.91N 88.89W 08/19/2026 Carlisle KY NWS Storm Survey A macroburst started just northwest of Cunningham in Carlisle County and continued east-southeast across northern Graves County. Widespread winds of 80 to 105 mph occurred along the 18.5 mile swath with a peak width of nearly 8 miles. The swath of intense damage seemed to end a little ways east of Hwy 45. Time was between 11:49 PM and 12:10 AM. 1150 PM Tornado Lowes 36.89N 88.77W 08/19/2026 Graves KY Public Multiple homes damaged in Lowes, KY. Lots of trees down over 131 in Graves, 3 mile marker. Very likely tornado with TDS. 1154 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg Fancy Farm 36.76N 88.79W 08/19/2026 Graves KY Public Corrects previous tstm wnd dmg report from Fancy Farm. Large limbs down. 1200 AM Tstm Wnd Dmg 3 SE Lovelaceville 36.93N 88.81W 08/20/2026 Graves KY Utility Company Corrects previous tstm wnd dmg report from 3 SE Lovelaceville. Numerous power outages reported across multiple counties. 1200 AM Tstm Wnd Dmg 1 SW Sikeston 36.87N 89.59W 08/20/2026 Scott MO Public Limbs down in Sikeston. 1201 AM Tstm Wnd Dmg 2 SSE Folsomdale 36.86N 88.67W 08/20/2026 Graves KY Broadcast Media Gas station awning knocked over. Outbuilding blown onto nearby trucks. 1205 AM Tstm Wnd Dmg 2 S Folsomdale 36.86N 88.66W 08/20/2026 Graves KY Law Enforcement Corrects previous tstm wnd dmg report from 2 S Folsomdale. Delayed report of trees downed and power lines in front of a house. 1205 AM Tstm Wnd Dmg Lone Oak 37.04N 88.66W 08/20/2026 McCracken KY Law Enforcement Corrects previous tstm wnd dmg report from Lone Oak. Trees down around Lone Oak. 1207 AM Tstm Wnd Gst 3 N Mayfield 36.77N 88.64W 08/20/2026 M65 MPH Graves KY Public Home weather station peak gust. 1208 AM Tstm Wnd Dmg 3 NE Sedalia 36.67N 88.56W 08/20/2026 Graves KY Law Enforcement Tree Fell on a truck on Nanny Rd. 1213 AM Tstm Wnd Dmg 1 SW Folsomdale 36.88N 88.69W 08/20/2026 Graves KY Public Tree fallen on a home. No injuries. 1213 AM Tstm Wnd Dmg 3 E Tanner 36.92N 89.63W 08/20/2026 Scott MO Trained Spotter 1214 AM Tstm Wnd Dmg 2 W Blandville 36.93N 89.00W 08/20/2026 Ballard KY Public Tree limbs down and brief power outage. 1219 AM Tstm Wnd Dmg Kirksey 36.68N 88.43W 08/20/2026 Calloway KY Public Tree down and power out!. 1230 AM Tstm Wnd Dmg Benton 36.85N 88.36W 08/20/2026 Marshall KY Law Enforcement Numerous trees down across the county, some of which fell on powerlines. Time estimated. 1230 AM Tstm Wnd Gst 3 ESE Kirksey 36.66N 88.37W 08/20/2026 M82 MPH Calloway KY AWOS Measured at Murray, KY Airport. 1235 AM Tstm Wnd Gst 0 SW Sikeston 36.88N 89.58W 08/20/2026 E60 MPH Scott MO Public Several public reports of 60 mph winds. 1245 AM Tstm Wnd Gst 3 S Dexter 36.69N 88.30W 08/20/2026 M65 MPH Calloway KY Trained Spotter Strong winds and numerous power flashes. 1255 AM Tstm Wnd Dmg 1 NW Murray 36.62N 88.33W 08/20/2026 Calloway KY Utility Company Roof collapse near Murray State Campus. 1257 AM Tstm Wnd Dmg Melber 36.95N 88.73W 08/20/2026 McCracken KY Public 1258 AM Tstm Wnd Dmg Lone Oak 37.04N 88.66W 08/20/2026 McCracken KY Law Enforcement Trees down around Lone Oak. 0100 AM Flash Flood 2 SE Bardwell 36.85N 88.99W 08/20/2026 Carlisle KY Emergency Mngr Road washed out near KY 1377 southeast of Bardwell. Time estimated. 0100 AM Flash Flood 2 SE Cunningham 36.89N 88.86W 08/20/2026 Carlisle KY Law Enforcement 4 feet of water over Hwy 307 between Hwy 62 and 121. Time estimated. 0100 AM Flash Flood Sikeston 36.88N 89.58W 08/20/2026 Scott MO Law Enforcement Several roads in Sikeston with water over them. Time estimated. 0100 AM Flash Flood Vanduser 36.99N 89.69W 08/20/2026 Scott MO Public 0104 AM Tstm Wnd Dmg 1 NNW Linton 36.70N 87.93W 08/20/2026 Trigg KY Utility Company Power outages reported here. 0112 AM Tstm Wnd Dmg 3 SW Hickory 36.80N 88.70W 08/20/2026 Graves KY Law Enforcement Power lines down covering driveway. 0116 AM Tstm Wnd Dmg 1 NE Fancy Farm 36.77N 88.78W 08/20/2026 Graves KY Law Enforcement Delayed report of trees down near KY339. 0135 AM Tstm Wnd Dmg 6 SSE Gracey 36.81N 87.62W 08/20/2026 Christian KY Utility Company Several power outages reported. 0149 AM Tstm Wnd Dmg 3 NE Hopkinsville 36.88N 87.44W 08/20/2026 Christian KY Utility Company A few power outages reported here. 0223 AM Tstm Wnd Dmg 5 ENE Elkton 36.84N 87.08W 08/20/2026 Todd KY Utility Company Several power outages here. 0255 AM Tstm Wnd Gst 1 E Murray 36.61N 88.30W 08/20/2026 M68 MPH Calloway KY Mesonet Mesonet station AX109 MURRAY. 0330 AM Flash Flood 3 S Hickory 36.78N 88.65W 08/20/2026 Graves KY Law Enforcement Water over US 45 just north of Mayfield.
Environment
A mid level wave was moving east across southeast Missouri into southern Illinois during the late evening on the 19th. This was leading to an enhancement of the wind fields with 500mb winds out of the west at 45-55 kts and 700mb winds around 30-35 kts. Meanwhile, a southwesterly low level jet ramped up around 10 PM which resulted in 0-1 km shear increasing to 25 kts. The effective shear of 40-50 kts was unusually strong for August (more on par with what we would expect in the Spring or later in the Fall). We were right on the edge of the instability gradient thanks to cloud cover and showers that remained over our region into the early to mid afternoon on the 19th. By evening though, the airmass had recovered with MLCAPE of 2000-2500 j/kg across the southern half of southeast Missouri and into the Jackson Purchase area of west Kentucky. The combination of unusually strong shear and moderate instability provided an environment for supercells to develop around 9-10 PM and then propagate eastward into the early overnight. Eventually the storms merged into bowing segments as well and the overall coverage of storms continue to increase towards midnight and beyond as the low level jet ramped up. Precipitable water values were quiet high (maxed out around 2.2 to 2.3") which allowed thunderstorms to be very efficient rainfall producers. Training thunderstorms set up across southeast Missouri, extreme southern Illinois, and far west Kentucky which produced flash flooding.
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| 500mb chart at 10 PM Aug 19 | MLCAPE at 12 AM Aug 20 | Precipitable Water at 1 AM Aug 20 |
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| 0-6 km shear at 12 AM Aug 20 | 0-1 km shear at 12 AM Aug 20 | STP (Significant Tornado Parameter) at 12 AM Aug 20 |
Additional Information
We started messaging the potential for severe weather several days before the event. As the event neared, the area of concern grew a bit more with a slight risk from SPC encompassing much of the region. We issued a timing graphic on the afternoon of the 19th to give a rough idea of when to expect the storms during the evening and overnight. The storms ended up being slightly delayed by about an hour or two compared to initial thinking, but overall it worked out fairly well. While we started messaging the potential for flash flooding over 24 hours before the event, it became even more apparent that flash flooding would become likely as we moved into the evening of the 19th. So a couple hours before the event began we issued a Flash Flood Watch. We also performed two Facebook Live's, one the evening before the event and the other during the following afternoon.
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| Weather story issued over 48 hours in advance of the event | Weather Story issued on the afternoon of the 19th |
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| Timing graphic issued during the afternoon of the 19th | Flash Flood Watch issued on the evening of the 19th |
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