A long-lived bow echo that had produced widespread wind damage over southern Illinois moved east into Kentucky during the late morning hours. As it moved east, the system encountered a strengthening low-level jet across the Ohio Valley, which helped modify the motion of the line, resulting in training storms of extremely heavy rain that caused flash flooding.  Individual storms developing ahead of the line continued to produce damaging winds, with two storms producing tornadoes, before the main area of convection moved through.
NWS damage surveys determined the tornado in south-central Kentucky to be EF-1 in intensity, while the east-central Kentucky was ranked as a strong EF-3.  The EF-3 tornado resulted in two fatalities and numerous injuries.

Tornado in METCALFE, KENTUCKY
From 08-MAY-09 14:07:00 to 08-MAY-09 14:11:00 (CST-6)
Location: SAVOYARD
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

This tornado first touched down in Barren County, about one mile northeast of  Hiseville, before tracking into Metcalfe County.  While the tornado produced EF-1 damage in Barren County, only EF-0 damage occurred along the Metcalfe part of its path, uplifting a pole barn and scattering it across a field.  The tornado then lifted about one mile south of Center near State Highway 1243.

Tornado in BARREN, KENTUCKY
From 08-MAY-09 14:04:00 to 08-MAY-09 14:07:00 (CST-6)
Location: HISEVILLE
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 40.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

The EF-1 tornado tracked along a roughly 6 mile long intermittent path from northeastern Barren County into far northern Metcalfe County.  It first touched down as an EF-0 tornado 1 mile northeast of Hiseville.  The tornado then produced EF-1 damage along its path before lifting about one mile south of the town of Center in Metcalfe County. A home was damaged along with several out-buildings - including a well constructed barn which was destroyed - and numerous trees were uprooted.  The tornado was 30 yards wide and ended seven minutes later at 311 pm CDT.  Maximum winds ranged from 75 to 90 mph.  No injuries or fatalities were associated with this tornado.

Thunderstorm Wind in EDMONSON, KENTUCKY
From 08-MAY-09 03:12:00 to 08-MAY-09 03:12:00 (CST-6)
Location: MAMMOTH CAVE
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

A large tree was blown down in the Mammoth Cave area. Time is estimated based on radar data.

Thunderstorm Wind in HART, KENTUCKY
From 08-MAY-09 14:02:00 to 08-MAY-09 14:02:00 (CST-6)
Location: MUNFORDVILLE
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

A couple of trees and power lines were downed along Highway 88 near Hardyville.

Thunderstorm Wind in MADISON, KENTUCKY
From 08-MAY-09 16:10:00 to 08-MAY-09 16:10:00 (EST-5)
Location: RICHMOND
Magnitude: 74.00 EG
Reported by: Broadcast Media

A rail car was blown over in Richmond.

Thunderstorm Wind in BARREN, KENTUCKY
From 08-MAY-09 03:30:00 to 08-MAY-09 03:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: RED CROSS
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Reported by: Broadcast Media

A roof was blown off of a front porch and a tree was blown down in Breckton.

Flash Flood in BUTLER, KENTUCKY
From 08-MAY-09 14:22:00 to 08-MAY-09 14:22:00 (CST-6)
Location: MORGANTOWN
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 20.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Water was running through the Tucks Apartments on Saw Mill Road.

Flash Flood in HARDIN, KENTUCKY
From 08-MAY-09 16:20:00 to 08-MAY-09 19:20:00 (EST-5)
Location: SONORA
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Water was covering Dixie Highway between Upton and Sonora.

Thunderstorm Wind in WARREN, KENTUCKY
From 08-MAY-09 03:52:00 to 08-MAY-09 03:52:00 (CST-6)
Location: SMITHS GROVE
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

A tree was downed near the intersection of U.S. 68/80 and Highway 101.

Flash Flood in JEFFERSON, KENTUCKY
From 08-MAY-09 15:50:00 to 08-MAY-09 18:50:00 (EST-5)
Location: SHIVELY
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Seventh and Berry Streets were closed due to high water.  Other intersections were closed due to high water. Manhole covers were blown off in some locations.

Thunderstorm Wind in GARRARD, KENTUCKY
From 08-MAY-09 16:12:00 to 08-MAY-09 16:12:00 (EST-5)
Location: NINA
Magnitude: 65.00 EG
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Barns and houses were damaged. trees and power lines were downed near the intersection of KY 1131 and 1295.  This was straight line wind damage associated with the line of storms that shortly after this report produced a tornado in Garrard and Madison Counties.

Flash Flood in CLARK, KENTUCKY
From 08-MAY-09 16:15:00 to 08-MAY-09 16:15:00 (EST-5)
Location: WINCHESTER
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Four inches of water was flowing across the road in Highview.

Thunderstorm Wind in MADISON, KENTUCKY
From 08-MAY-09 16:10:00 to 08-MAY-09 16:10:00 (EST-5)
Location: SILVER CREEK
Magnitude: 70.00 EG
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A mobile home was blown across Moran Mill Road near KY 52W.

Tornado in GARRARD, KENTUCKY
From 08-MAY-09 15:55:00 to 08-MAY-09 15:57:00 (EST-5)
Location: HACKLEY
Tornado F-scale: EF2
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

The tornado first touched down in the Nina Ridge Road area three miles ESE of McCreary in Garrard County.  The tornado caused EF-1 damage at this location before strengthening to EF-2 just before entering Madison County.
Near the intersection of Highways 1295 and 52 in Madison County, the tornado reached EF-3 intensity. Near this intersection, two adults were killed when the mobile home they were in was picked up and thrown by the tornado. The bodies were recovered from a nearby pond. Five other occupants of the mobile home, including three children, were injured.  A female relative in a brick home just yards away from the mobile home received only minor injuries despite being pinned under a collapsed wall in the house.
The tornado weakened and lifted at times as it continued east across the county, but still caused significant damage.  It tore much of the roof off a fire station on the south side of Richmond before moving over the Bluegrass Army Depot toward the community of Waco in the eastern part of the county.  After doing extensive damage to mainly roofs in a subdivision of brick homes near Waco, the tornado destroyed a mobile home in the area, carrying two teenage male occupants of the home through the air before dropping them near an elementary school 300 yards away. The teens miraculously received only minor injuries. The tornado weakened significantly from this point on, doing only minor roof damage and downing trees as it continued eastward before lifting near the end of Drowning Creek Road.
The tornado was up to 150 yards wide with maximum estimated wind speeds up to 140 mph. Approximately 150 homes received damage, the most severe being several brick homes where only interior walls remained standing in the wake of the tornado.

Heavy Rain in OHIO, KENTUCKY
From 08-MAY-09 13:38:00 to 08-MAY-09 13:38:00 (CST-6)
Location: FORDSVILLE
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Spotter reported 4.5 inches of rain since midnight.

Flash Flood in TAYLOR, KENTUCKY
From 08-MAY-09 17:50:00 to 08-MAY-09 19:50:00 (EST-5)
Location: LORAIN
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Three people were rescued after a walking bridge was washed away. The event occurred near KY 210 at the soccer field.

Flash Flood in TAYLOR, KENTUCKY
From 08-MAY-09 16:31:00 to 08-MAY-09 19:31:00 (EST-5)
Location: CAMPBELLSVILLE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Two roads were covered and overflowing with water in the city. Out in the county, Palastine Road, Miller Park Drive and Bear Track Road were covered with water.

Thunderstorm Wind in METCALFE, KENTUCKY
From 08-MAY-09 14:10:00 to 08-MAY-09 14:10:00 (CST-6)
Location: CENTER
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Very large trees were downed along Highway 1243.

Thunderstorm Wind in METCALFE, KENTUCKY
From 08-MAY-09 14:10:00 to 08-MAY-09 14:10:00 (CST-6)
Location: KNOB LICK
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Reported by: Public

Trees were downed along Highway 70 at 8202 Sulpher Well Knob Lick Road. A shed was also blown onto the road.

Thunderstorm Wind in MADISON, KENTUCKY
From 08-MAY-09 16:00:00 to 08-MAY-09 16:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: TERRILL
Magnitude: 70.00 EG
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Strong wind gusts on I-75 between mile markers 75 and 85. A pickup truck was blown over the median.

Flash Flood in LARUE, KENTUCKY
From 08-MAY-09 16:31:00 to 08-MAY-09 19:31:00 (EST-5)
Location: HODGENVILLE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Employee

Sections of HWY 222 were closed due to high water between Hodgenville and Glendale.

Thunderstorm Wind in MADISON, KENTUCKY
From 08-MAY-09 16:08:00 to 08-MAY-09 16:08:00 (EST-5)
Location: RICHMOND
Magnitude: 70.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Vehicles were blown off the road at the intersection of Morin Mill Road and KY 52W. Estimated wind speeds of 80 mph in Richmond.

Flash Flood in MARION, KENTUCKY
From 08-MAY-09 16:02:00 to 08-MAY-09 19:02:00 (EST-5)
Location: LEBANON
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Numerous roads were closed including State HWY 49 and 84 in Lebanon.  The Marion County Emergency Manager also reported several county roads were covered by water and debris and that up to two feet of water covered some roads in Lebanon.

Thunderstorm Wind in WARREN, KENTUCKY
From 08-MAY-09 03:41:00 to 08-MAY-09 03:41:00 (CST-6)
Location: BOWLING GREEN
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

A tree was downed on U.S. 31W north of Bowling Green.

Flash Flood in BOYLE, KENTUCKY
From 08-MAY-09 17:19:00 to 08-MAY-09 17:19:00 (EST-5)
Location: PERRYVILLE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 20.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Many roads in Perryville are impassable.

Tornado in MADISON, KENTUCKY
From 08-MAY-09 15:57:00 to 08-MAY-09 16:19:00 (EST-5)
Location: KIRKSVILLE
Tornado F-scale: EF3
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

The tornado first touched down in the Nina Ridge Road area three miles ESE of McCreary in Garrard County.  The tornado caused EF-1 damage at this location before strengthening to EF-2 just before entering Madison County.
Near the intersection of Highways 1295 and 52 in Madison County, the tornado reached EF-3 intensity. Near this intersection, two adults were killed when the mobile home they were in was picked up and thrown by the tornado. The bodies were recovered from a nearby pond. Five other occupants of the mobile home, including three children, were injured.  A female relative in a brick home just yards away from the mobile home received only minor injuries despite being pinned under a collapsed wall in the house.
The tornado weakened and lifted at times as it continued east across the county, but still caused significant damage.  It tore much of the roof off a fire station on the south side of Richmond before moving over the Bluegrass Army Depot toward the community of Waco in the eastern part of the county.  After doing extensive damage to mainly roofs in a subdivision of brick homes near Waco, the tornado destroyed a mobile home in the area, carrying two teenage male occupants of the home through the air before dropping them near an elementary school 300 yards away. The teens miraculously received only minor injuries. The tornado weakened significantly from this point on, doing only minor roof damage and downing trees as it continued eastward before lifting near the end of Drowning Creek Road.
The tornado was up to 150 yards wide with maximum estimated wind speeds up to 140 mph. Approximately 150 homes received damage, the most severe being several brick homes where only interior walls remained standing in the wake of the tornado.

Heavy Rain in GRAYSON, KENTUCKY
From 08-MAY-09 15:05:00 to 08-MAY-09 15:05:00 (CST-6)
Location: CLARKSON
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS