A strong cold front moving across the area brought severe thunderstorms with damaging winds and large hail to portions of Eastern Kentucky during the morning hours of May 11th. Numerous reports of downed trees and power lines were received. Hail up to the size of golf balls was also reported. Two tornadoes touched down as well, with one in Leslie County, and the other in Whitley County.

Thunderstorm Wind in LETCHER, KENTUCKY
From 11-MAY-08 10:38:00 to 11-MAY-08 10:42:00 (EST-5)
Location: JEREMIAH
Magnitude: 55.00 EG
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Thunderstorm wind gusts downed trees and caused damage to roofs and chimneys on homes in the Blair Branch community.

Thunderstorm Wind in MORGAN, KENTUCKY
From 11-MAY-08 09:17:00 to 11-MAY-08 09:21:00 (EST-5)
Location: WEST LIBERTY
Magnitude: 53.00 EG
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Several trees and large limbs were blown down.

Hail in KNOTT, KENTUCKY
From 11-MAY-08 09:30:00 to 11-MAY-08 09:34:00 (EST-5)
Location: TALCUM
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Funnel Cloud in LESLIE, KENTUCKY
From 11-MAY-08 09:35:00 to 11-MAY-08 09:40:00 (EST-5)
Location: WOOTON
Property damage: 25.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue

A funnel cloud was observed passing over a house in Wooton and then touching down on Highway 1807 approximately 1 mile east of Wooton. Extensive tree and power line damage occurred along a 150 yard damage path.

Hail in HARLAN, KENTUCKY
From 11-MAY-08 09:38:00 to 11-MAY-08 09:42:00 (EST-5)
Location: HARLAN
Magnitude: 0.88 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: County Official

Nickel size hail was reported across a wide area north of Harlan.

Thunderstorm Wind in BELL, KENTUCKY
From 11-MAY-08 09:38:00 to 11-MAY-08 09:42:00 (EST-5)
Location: PINEVILLE
Magnitude: 55.00 EG
Property damage: 40.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Numerous trees and power lines were blown down by thunderstorm wind gusts in the eastern portion of the county.

Thunderstorm Wind in WHITLEY, KENTUCKY
From 11-MAY-08 08:29:00 to 11-MAY-08 08:33:00 (EST-5)
Location: CORBIN
Magnitude: 53.00 EG
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Utility poles and power lines were blown down along Cumberland Falls Highway or 18th Street.

Thunderstorm Wind in ROWAN, KENTUCKY
From 11-MAY-08 08:47:00 to 11-MAY-08 08:51:00 (EST-5)
Location: MOREHEAD
Magnitude: 54.00 EG
Property damage: 15.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Numerous trees were blown down on Highway 377.

Thunderstorm Wind in POWELL, KENTUCKY
From 11-MAY-08 08:48:00 to 11-MAY-08 08:52:00 (EST-5)
Location: CLAY CITY
Magnitude: 53.00 EG
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Numerous tree branches were torn off along Spout Springs Road. Branches were 2 to 5 inches in diameter. One tree was also blown down on Highway 2001.

Thunderstorm Wind in LEE, KENTUCKY
From 11-MAY-08 08:54:00 to 11-MAY-08 08:58:00 (EST-5)
Location: MONICA
Magnitude: 53.00 EG
Property damage: 8.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Employee

Numerous tree branches between 2 and 5 inches in diameter were blown down on Highway 52. A couple of trees were also split down the middle and had to be removed from the roadway.

Hail in LESLIE, KENTUCKY
From 11-MAY-08 09:10:00 to 11-MAY-08 09:14:00 (EST-5)
Location: HYDEN
Magnitude: 0.88 
Property damage: 8.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Nickel size hail fell for one to two minutes. A wind gust estimated at 50 mph brought down several two to three inch diameter tree limbs and an eight inch diameter tree.

Hail in OWSLEY, KENTUCKY
From 11-MAY-08 09:10:00 to 11-MAY-08 09:14:00 (EST-5)
Location: BOONEVILLE
Magnitude: 0.88 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Thunderstorm Wind in MORGAN, KENTUCKY
From 11-MAY-08 09:13:00 to 11-MAY-08 09:17:00 (EST-5)
Location: EZEL
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 6.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Two trees were blown down. Numerous tree branches were also blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind in FLOYD, KENTUCKY
From 11-MAY-08 08:54:00 to 11-MAY-08 08:58:00 (EST-5)
Location: BOSCO
Magnitude: 55.00 EG
Property damage: 20.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Numerous trees were blown down across a fifty foot wide by one quarter mile long path.

Hail in CLAY, KENTUCKY
From 11-MAY-08 08:50:00 to 11-MAY-08 08:54:00 (EST-5)
Location: GARRARD
Magnitude: 0.88 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: County Official

Nickel size hail was observed.

Thunderstorm Wind in CLAY, KENTUCKY
From 11-MAY-08 08:50:00 to 11-MAY-08 08:54:00 (EST-5)
Location: GARRARD
Magnitude: 55.00 EG
Property damage: 35.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

The roof was blown off an old post office building on Highway 421. Several trees were also blown down.

Hail in OWSLEY, KENTUCKY
From 11-MAY-08 08:50:00 to 11-MAY-08 08:54:00 (EST-5)
Location: BOONEVILLE
Magnitude: 0.88 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Thunderstorm Wind in LEE, KENTUCKY
From 11-MAY-08 08:55:00 to 11-MAY-08 08:59:00 (EST-5)
Location: PRIMROSE
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 20.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Employee

A large tree was blown down onto a tractor crushing it. Numerous large limbs and a couple of other large trees were also blown down.

Hail in ROWAN, KENTUCKY
From 11-MAY-08 08:55:00 to 11-MAY-08 08:59:00 (EST-5)
Location: MOREHEAD
Magnitude: 0.88 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: County Official

Hail in ROWAN, KENTUCKY
From 11-MAY-08 08:55:00 to 11-MAY-08 08:59:00 (EST-5)
Location: MOREHEAD
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Hail in ROWAN, KENTUCKY
From 11-MAY-08 08:57:00 to 11-MAY-08 09:01:00 (EST-5)
Location: HAYS CROSSING
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Golf ball size hail fell for about 3 minutes.

Hail in LESLIE, KENTUCKY
From 11-MAY-08 09:10:00 to 11-MAY-08 09:14:00 (EST-5)
Location: SIZEROCK
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Golf ball size hail fell for nearly 5 minutes at Hell For Certain.

Hail in LESLIE, KENTUCKY
From 11-MAY-08 09:15:00 to 11-MAY-08 09:19:00 (EST-5)
Location: WOOTON
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Penny size hail fell for 5 minutes.

Thunderstorm Wind in MORGAN, KENTUCKY
From 11-MAY-08 09:17:00 to 11-MAY-08 09:21:00 (EST-5)
Location: WEST LIBERTY
Magnitude: 55.00 EG
Property damage: 25.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Numerous trees were blown down from West Liberty to Ezel.

Thunderstorm Wind in LETCHER, KENTUCKY
From 11-MAY-08 09:54:00 to 11-MAY-08 09:58:00 (EST-5)
Location: JEREMIAH
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 8.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: County Official

Numerous large tree limbs up to 5 inches in diameter were blown down. Two chimneys were also blown down from two very old and poorly constructed houses.

Hail in FLOYD, KENTUCKY
From 11-MAY-08 09:58:00 to 11-MAY-08 10:02:00 (EST-5)
Location: ALLEN
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Penny size hail and a wind gust estimated at 50 mph were reported by a state trooper.

Thunderstorm Wind in MARTIN, KENTUCKY
From 11-MAY-08 10:05:00 to 11-MAY-08 10:09:00 (EST-5)
Location: TOMAHAWK
Magnitude: 55.00 EG
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: County Official

Numerous trees were blown down or shredded by thunderstorm wind gusts. Hall Branch Road was partially blocked by a mudslide and cable lines were down.

Thunderstorm Wind in JOHNSON, KENTUCKY
From 11-MAY-08 10:10:00 to 11-MAY-08 10:14:00 (EST-5)
Location: PAINTSVILLE
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: County Official

Eight to ten trees were blown down in the eastern part of the county.

Hail in PIKE, KENTUCKY
From 11-MAY-08 10:30:00 to 11-MAY-08 10:34:00 (EST-5)
Location: META
Magnitude: 0.88 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Nickel size hail fell for about 5 minutes.

Hail in MAGOFFIN, KENTUCKY
From 11-MAY-08 09:40:00 to 11-MAY-08 09:44:00 (EST-5)
Location: CYRUS
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Thunderstorm Wind in HARLAN, KENTUCKY
From 11-MAY-08 09:47:00 to 11-MAY-08 09:51:00 (EST-5)
Location: HARLAN
Magnitude: 51.00 EG
Property damage: 4.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Four trees were blown down in the Wallens Creek area.

Thunderstorm Wind in PERRY, KENTUCKY
From 11-MAY-08 09:48:00 to 11-MAY-08 09:52:00 (EST-5)
Location: VICCO
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

A few trees and power lines were blown down by thunderstorm wind gusts.

Thunderstorm Wind in FLOYD, KENTUCKY
From 11-MAY-08 09:45:00 to 11-MAY-08 09:49:00 (EST-5)
Location: BRAINARD
Magnitude: 53.00 EG
Property damage: 2.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Employee

Large limbs were blown down between mile markers 3 and 4 on KY HWY 114.

Thunderstorm Wind in FLOYD, KENTUCKY
From 11-MAY-08 09:50:00 to 11-MAY-08 09:54:00 (EST-5)
Location: BONANZA
Magnitude: 51.00 EG
Property damage: 2.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Two trees were blown down by thunderstorm wind gusts.

Thunderstorm Wind in FLOYD, KENTUCKY
From 11-MAY-08 09:55:00 to 11-MAY-08 09:59:00 (EST-5)
Location: IVEL
Magnitude: 51.00 EG
Property damage: 2.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Two trees were blown down along Highway 23 at a cemetery.

Thunderstorm Wind in PULASKI, KENTUCKY
From 11-MAY-08 07:45:00 to 11-MAY-08 07:49:00 (EST-5)
Location: SOMERSET
Magnitude: 55.00 EG
Property damage: 30.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: County Official

Numerous trees were blown down countywide by thunderstorm wind gusts.

Hail in PULASKI, KENTUCKY
From 11-MAY-08 07:48:00 to 11-MAY-08 07:52:00 (EST-5)
Location: SOMERSET
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: County Official

Thunderstorm Wind in WHITLEY, KENTUCKY
From 11-MAY-08 08:15:00 to 11-MAY-08 08:25:00 (EST-5)
Location: CLIO
Magnitude: 55.00 EG
Property damage: 75.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Park/Forest Service

Park officials reported that numerous trees had been blown down by straight line winds. Some trees fell on occupired cabins, cars, and the Cumberland Falls State Park gift shop. Numerous minor injuries were reported, none of which required medical attention.

Thunderstorm Wind in BREATHITT, KENTUCKY
From 11-MAY-08 08:17:00 to 11-MAY-08 08:21:00 (EST-5)
Location: JACKSON
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Employee

One large tree was snapped off near its base by thunderstorm wind gusts.

Hail in POWELL, KENTUCKY
From 11-MAY-08 08:24:00 to 11-MAY-08 08:28:00 (EST-5)
Location: CLAY CITY
Magnitude: 0.88 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Employee

Thunderstorm Wind in POWELL, KENTUCKY
From 11-MAY-08 08:28:00 to 11-MAY-08 08:32:00 (EST-5)
Location: CLAY CITY
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Employee

A 5 inch diameter tree limb was blown down by thunderstorm wind gusts.

Thunderstorm Wind in HARLAN, KENTUCKY
From 11-MAY-08 09:49:00 to 11-MAY-08 09:53:00 (EST-5)
Location: HARLAN
Magnitude: 54.00 EG
Property damage: 7.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Thundestorm wind gusts downed several power lines in the Browning Acres neighborhood.

Hail in PERRY, KENTUCKY
From 11-MAY-08 09:30:00 to 11-MAY-08 09:35:00 (EST-5)
Location: ARY
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Penny size hail fell for about 5 minutes. A thunderstorm wind gust estimated at between 50 and 75 mph also occurred while the hail was falling.

Tornado in LESLIE, KENTUCKY
From 11-MAY-08 09:27:00 to 11-MAY-08 09:29:00 (EST-5)
Location: WOOTON
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 25.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

An EF-1 tornado with wind speeds of around 95 mph briefly touched down one mile southeast of Wooton. Large trees were either snapped off or blown over. One tree fell onto a power line.

Tornado in WHITLEY, KENTUCKY
From 11-MAY-08 08:15:00 to 11-MAY-08 08:20:00 (EST-5)
Location: KRUPP
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 100.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

An EF-1 tornado touched down 1 mile west of the Cumberland Falls State Park on Highway 90 and continued into Whitley County and across the park. Wind speeds with this tornado were estimated at 105 mph. Significant damage was done to the park supervisor's residence. Extensive numbers of large trees were blown across roads which made access to parts of the park impossible until they were cleared away. Numerous trees were snapped or uprooted with some of the trees falling on cars and powerlines.

Thunderstorm Wind in ROWAN, KENTUCKY
From 11-MAY-08 09:02:00 to 11-MAY-08 09:06:00 (EST-5)
Location: CLEARFIELD
Magnitude: 51.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Park/Forest Service

A 59 mph wind gust was measured by the Triangle Mountain RAWS observation platform.

Hail in BREATHITT, KENTUCKY
From 11-MAY-08 09:21:00 to 11-MAY-08 09:25:00 (EST-5)
Location: (JKL)CARROLL ARPT JA
Magnitude: 0.88 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Employee

Nickel size hail fell at the NWS office at the airport. The event lasted for 4 minutes.

Thunderstorm Wind in MONTGOMERY, KENTUCKY
From 11-MAY-08 08:50:00 to 11-MAY-08 08:54:00 (EST-5)
Location: JEFFERSONVILLE
Magnitude: 55.00 EG
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: County Official

Numerous trees were blown down county wide, blocking roads. Worst hit area was between Mount Sterling and Jefferson. Camargo was also hit hard.

Thunderstorm Wind in HARLAN, KENTUCKY
From 11-MAY-08 09:35:00 to 11-MAY-08 09:39:00 (EST-5)
Location: HARLAN
Magnitude: 55.00 EG
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Numerous reports were received of downed trees and power lines. The State Police reported that at least 50 trees had fallen across roads as a result of thunderstorm wind gusts.

Hail in FLOYD, KENTUCKY
From 11-MAY-08 09:56:00 to 11-MAY-08 10:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: MARTIN
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 8.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Quarter go golfball size hail was observed by a state trooper. Large limbs and power lines were blown down by thunderstorm wind gusts.