How many tornadoes touched down in Kentucky during overnight storms? Here’s what we know
At least two tornadoes touched down in Kentucky during severe weather that began Wednesday night and swept across the state overnight.
A tornado was reported in McCracken County around 10 p.m. on Wednesday, and another was reported in Louisville, near Middletown, early Thursday, according to the National Weather Service.
Another tornado may have touched down in Ballard County, near Gage in far Western Kentucky, where four people were injured and one person is in critical condition, according to the National Weather Service’s Storm Prediction Center, which includes preliminary data about storms.
The NWS also received reports from Madisonville and McCracken County.
More tornadoes could be confirmed Thursday as the sun comes up and storm damage can be assessed. The risk of severe weather continues through the weekend, with more storms and rain expected through Saturday.
The Taylor County Emergency Management director said in a Facebook post Thursday it appeared a tornado had touched down there early in the day. The director, Ronnie Dooley, noted the report was unofficial, and the National Weather Service had not confirmed it as a tornado.
Tucker’s Tiki Bar & Restaurant received roof damage during the storm from what appeared to be straight-line winds, the release said, and three travel trailers behind the restaurant were turned over.
Severe thunderstorm warnings and tornado warnings continued throughout the state on Thursday morning.
In Lexington, heavy rain, hail, lightning and wind hit the city around 2 a.m., but no tornadoes were reported in the area as of 7 a.m. Thursday.
Reports of damage in Jefferson County included trees down and damaged homes in the Beckley Hills subdivision, with more damage in the Saint Matthews and Okolona communities. There was also a report of a partial building collapse on Ampere Drive, according to the NWS.
In Erlanger, a house was damaged by a tree, and one person had to be rescued from the home with minor injuries, television station WLWT reported.
More than 42,800 people were without power as of Thursday morning, though that number declined as the morning continued.
At the Blue Grass Airport in Lexington, two flights were delayed and one was canceled as of 8:30 a.m. Thursday. At the Muhammad Ali International Airport in Louisville, nearly all departing flights were delayed, some by several hours.
Steady rain and more thunderstorms are expected over the next several days, including the potential for some “supercell thunderstorms” later Thursday around London, Corbin and Somerset in southeastern and south-central Kentucky, WKYT Chief Meteorologist Chris Bailey said.
“Major flooding” is expected as the week continues, according to the NWS. Western Kentucky could see more than 15 inches of rain by the end of the weekend, while Lexington is forecast to see 6 to 8 inches.
This story was originally published April 3, 2025 at 7:24 AM.