Thunderstorms developed during the afternoon in a high wind shear environment ahead of a strengthening low pressure system. Many of these storms became severe, with large hail, damaging thunderstorm winds, and tornadoes all being the main threats. Isolated flooding also became possible due to the intense rainfall.

Hail in GRANT, KENTUCKY
From 02-MAR-12 16:35:00 to 02-MAR-12 16:39:00 (EST-5)
Location: DRY RIDGE
Magnitude: 1.00 
Reported by: Amateur Radio

Hail in OWEN, KENTUCKY
From 02-MAR-12 16:31:00 to 02-MAR-12 16:35:00 (EST-5)
Location: BROMLEY
Magnitude: 2.50 
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Hail in CARROLL, KENTUCKY
From 02-MAR-12 15:50:00 to 02-MAR-12 15:54:00 (EST-5)
Location: CARROLLTON
Magnitude: 1.25 
Reported by: Public

Thunderstorm Wind in OWEN, KENTUCKY
From 02-MAR-12 16:55:00 to 02-MAR-12 16:56:00 (EST-5)
Location: OWENTON
Magnitude: 55.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Thunderstorm Wind in BRACKEN, KENTUCKY
From 02-MAR-12 17:15:00 to 02-MAR-12 17:22:00 (EST-5)
Location: POWERSVILLE
Magnitude: 56.00 EG
Property damage: 30.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

Widespread minor tree and roof damage occurred. Based on damage patterns obtained during the survey, this damage was caused by straight line thunderstorm winds estimated at 60 to 70 miles per hour.

Flood in BOONE, KENTUCKY
From 02-MAR-12 16:00:00 to 02-MAR-12 17:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: UNION
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

High standing water was reported near Richmond and Hicks Roads. Water was up to a car door in the area. These occurrences were due to heavy rainfall.

Tornado in PENDLETON, KENTUCKY
From 02-MAR-12 16:41:00 to 02-MAR-12 16:46:00 (EST-5)
Location: PEACH GROVE
Tornado F-scale: EF3
Property damage: 2.00M
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

The tornado initially touched down in south central Campbell County at 1639 EST near Peach Grove Road and crossed Fisher Road northwest of Peach Grove. The tornado then crossed into Pendleton County at 1641 EST after producing high end EF3 damage along Reid Ridge Road near the Campbell and Pendleton County line. The tornado then moved across Mays Road producing significant and widespread EF2 to low end EF3 damage. The tornado then crossed AA highway and eventually the Ohio River, after crossing Kentucky Highway 8. Based on the damage surveyed, the maximum wind speed of the tornado was estimated to be 160 miles per hour in Campbell County and 140 miles per hour in Pendleton County. The tornado traveled a total of 2.68 miles in Campbell County, and 4 miles in Pendleton County. The tornado moved into Clermont County Ohio at 1646 EST, where it hit the town of Moscow, causing EF3 damage. The tornado continued on the ground across Clermont County, crossing into Brown County at 1658 EST. The tornado then lifted south of Hamersville in western Brown County at 1702 EST. This tornado caused extensive damage to structures and trees along its entire path on both sides of the Ohio River. Numerous homes were very heavily damaged or destroyed. Many homes lost their roofs, having complete exterior wall failure. Some modular homes were completely removed from their foundations, lifted, and thrown in excess of 100 yards where they were destroyed. The damage in Ohio from this tornado was consistent with maximum winds estimated at 160 miles per hour in Clermont County, and 100 miles per hour in Brown County. The tornado traveled a total of 11.04 miles in Clermont County, and 2.69 miles in Brown County.

Tornado in GRANT, KENTUCKY
From 02-MAR-12 16:23:00 to 02-MAR-12 16:24:00 (EST-5)
Location: CRITTENDEN
Tornado F-scale: EF3
Property damage: 500.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

The tornado touched down in Grant County at 1623 EST, causing low to mid EF3 damage specifically in the Harvesters Subdivision. This damage occurred at the west end of Barley Circle. Most of the damage in the rest of the subdivision was EF1 to EF2. Based on the damage surveyed, the maximum wind speed of this tornado while in Grant County was estimated at 145 miles per hour. After traveling 1.33 miles on the ground in Grant County, the tornado then crossed into Kenton County at 1624 EST. Immediately as the tornado crossed west to east of Interstate 75, it strengthened to EF4 level. Five single family homes were destroyed down to their foundations in this area, with at least two of these homes having strapping or bolting to their foundations. The EF4 damage continued to the north end of Lexington Pike, where 2 homes and multiple outbuildings were completely destroyed. Both homes were brick structures with foundation bolting or strapping. The EF4 winds continued across Route 25 and ended near the Bagby Road area. At least 2 vehicles were carried, with one carried over 1800 feet. Trees were stripped of nearly all branches, with much of the bark also stripped. All 4 fatalities with this tornado occurred within the area of EF4 damage. As the tornado headed further to the east northeast, high end EF3 damage continued through other properties along Bagby Road, to Carlisle, Parker Grove, and Paxton Roads. Numerous double and single wide homes were destroyed, with both brick and siding structures left with collapsed exterior walls and either all or a large percentage of the roof removed. The tornado continued the east northeast path into southeast Kenton County, to the Licking River near Morning View. Damage in the Morning View area was consistent with EF1 to EF2 damage to near the Campbell County line, where the tornado lifted at 1632 EST after traveling 8.52 miles in Kenton County. Based on the damage surveyed, the maximum wind speed from this tornado while in Kenton County was estimated at 175 miles per hour. This storm produced an earlier tornado in southern Indiana. Debris, possibly from that tornado, was later observed falling from the sky across Boone County, Kentucky.

Tornado in OWEN, KENTUCKY
From 02-MAR-12 16:24:00 to 02-MAR-12 16:29:00 (EST-5)
Location: NEW LIBERTY
Tornado F-scale: EF2
Property damage: 320.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

The tornado touched down north of Owenton initially near a farm south of Highway 227, where minor damage to a barn and house were observed. The tornado continued east to near the intersection of Todd Road and Highways 127, 36, and 227 where the EF2 damage occurred. This damage included a house that had complete removal of the roof and partial exterior wall collapse. Numerous barns in the area were also completely destroyed. Power poles and trees were snapped, as well as a semi trailer overturned. The tornado then continued east across Kemper Lane where more barns were destroyed and numerous groves of trees were uprooted and snapped. The tornado lifted just east of Jonesville Road.  This location is approximate due to inaccessible terrain. Damage in the area of Jonesville Road consisted of minor damage to outbuildings, tree damage, and minor removal of roofing material. Based on the damage survey, the maximum wind speed of this tornado was estimated to be 125 miles per hour.

Tornado in KENTON, KENTUCKY
From 02-MAR-12 16:24:00 to 02-MAR-12 16:32:00 (EST-5)
Location: BRACHT
Tornado F-scale: EF4
Property damage: 20.00M
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

The tornado touched down in Grant County at 1623 EST, causing low to mid EF3 damage specifically in the Harvesters Subdivision. This damage occurred at the west end of Barley Circle. Most of the damage in the rest of the subdivision was EF1 to EF2. Based on the damage surveyed, the maximum wind speed of this tornado while in Grant County was estimated at 145 miles per hour. After traveling 1.33 miles on the ground in Grant County, the tornado then crossed into Kenton County at 1624 EST. Immediately as the tornado crossed west to east of Interstate 75, it strengthened to EF4 level. Five single family homes were destroyed down to their foundations in this area, with at least two of these homes having strapping or bolting to their foundations. The EF4 damage continued to the north end of Lexington Pike, where 2 homes and multiple outbuildings were completely destroyed. Both homes were brick structures with foundation bolting or strapping. The EF4 winds continued across Route 25 and ended near the Bagby Road area. At least 2 vehicles were carried, with one carried over 1800 feet. Trees were stripped of nearly all branches, with much of the bark also stripped. All 4 fatalities with this tornado occurred within the area of EF4 damage. As the tornado headed further to the east northeast, high end EF3 damage continued through other properties along Bagby Road, to Carlisle, Parker Grove, and Paxton Roads. Numerous double and single wide homes were destroyed, with both brick and siding structures left with collapsed exterior walls and either all or a large percentage of the roof removed. The tornado continued the east northeast path into southeast Kenton County, to the Licking River near Morning View. Damage in the Morning View area was consistent with EF1 to EF2 damage to near the Campbell County line, where the tornado lifted at 1632 EST after traveling 8.52 miles in Kenton County. Based on the damage surveyed, the maximum wind speed from this tornado while in Kenton County was estimated at 175 miles per hour. This storm produced an earlier tornado in southern Indiana. Debris, possibly from that tornado, was later observed falling from the sky across Boone County, Kentucky.

Tornado in BRACKEN, KENTUCKY
From 02-MAR-12 17:02:00 to 02-MAR-12 17:03:00 (EST-5)
Location: BERLIN
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 70.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

The tornado touched down initially near Haley Ridge Road and lifted before crossing Willow Lennoxburg Road. The tornado destroyed a garage, snapped a power line pole, and caused heavy damage to a barn. Several two by fours from the barn were driven one to two feet into the ground. At the end of the tornadoes path, the damage consisted of numerous medium sized trees snapped. The damage associated with the barn showed evidence of rotation. Based on damage observed, the maximum wind speed of this tornado was estimated at 85 miles per hour.

Hail in CARROLL, KENTUCKY
From 02-MAR-12 16:15:00 to 02-MAR-12 16:19:00 (EST-5)
Location: CARROLLTON
Magnitude: 1.25 
Reported by: Public

Hail in CARROLL, KENTUCKY
From 02-MAR-12 16:15:00 to 02-MAR-12 16:19:00 (EST-5)
Location: CARROLLTON
Magnitude: 1.75 
Reported by: NWS Employee

Hail in GALLATIN, KENTUCKY
From 02-MAR-12 16:05:00 to 02-MAR-12 16:09:00 (EST-5)
Location: WARSAW
Magnitude: 2.75 
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Hail in CARROLL, KENTUCKY
From 02-MAR-12 16:14:00 to 02-MAR-12 16:18:00 (EST-5)
Location: WORTHVILLE
Magnitude: 4.25 
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Hail in GRANT, KENTUCKY
From 02-MAR-12 16:25:00 to 02-MAR-12 16:29:00 (EST-5)
Location: JONESVILLE
Magnitude: 2.00 
Reported by: Public

Tornado in CAMPBELL, KENTUCKY
From 02-MAR-12 16:39:00 to 02-MAR-12 16:41:00 (EST-5)
Location: GRANTS LICK
Tornado F-scale: EF3
Property damage: 1.00M
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

The tornado initially touched down in south central Campbell County at 1639 EST near Peach Grove Road and crossed Fisher Road northwest of Peach Grove. The tornado then crossed into Pendleton County at 1641 EST after producing high end EF3 damage along Reid Ridge Road near the Campbell and Pendleton County line. The tornado then moved across Mays Road producing significant and widespread EF2 to low end EF3 damage. The tornado then crossed AA highway and eventually the Ohio River, after crossing Kentucky Highway 8. Based on the damage surveyed, the maximum wind speed of the tornado was estimated to be 160 miles per hour in Campbell County and 140 miles per hour in Pendleton County. The tornado traveled a total of 2.68 miles in Campbell County, and 4 miles in Pendleton County. The tornado then moved into Clermont County Ohio at 1646 EST, where it hit the town of Moscow, causing EF3 damage. The tornado continued on the ground across Clermont County, crossing into Brown County at 1658 EST. The tornado then lifted south of Hamersville in western Brown County at 1702 EST. This tornado caused extensive damage to structures and trees along its entire path on both sides of the Ohio River. Numerous homes were very heavily damaged or destroyed. Many homes lost their roofs, having complete exterior wall failure. Some modular homes were completely removed from their foundations, lifted, and thrown in excess of 100 yards where they were destroyed. The damage in Ohio from this tornado was consistent with maximum winds estimated at 160 miles per hour in Clermont County, and 100 miles per hour in Brown County. The tornado traveled a total of 11.04 miles in Clermont County, and 2.69 miles in Brown County.

Tornado in CARROLL, KENTUCKY
From 02-MAR-12 15:44:00 to 02-MAR-12 15:48:00 (EST-5)
Location: LOCUST
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 1277.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

The tornado initially touched down in Trimble County at 1541 EST, causing extensive EF2 and some EF3 damage south of Milton, before weakening. While in Trimble County, the tornado traveled 3.26 miles and had a maximum width of 75 yards. Based on the damage survey conducted in Trimble County, the maximum estimated wind speed of the tornado at that time was 140 miles per hour. The tornado then entered Carroll County at 1544 EST. The EF1 damage in Carroll County began near the county line near the junction of East Prong Locust Road and Wrights Ridge Road. At this point the path width of the tornado had decreased to 150 yards. The path continued east northeast along Kings Ridge Road. The path then continued east northeast to Route 42 in the vicinity of Kemper Lane near the Harbor Pointe Estates community. The path briefly continued after that before diminishing. Damage in Carroll County was consistent with a high end EF0 to low end EF1 tornado. Several structures had minor to more significant roof damage, with some structures losing over 25 percent of the roof structure. Several barns were destroyed, as well as widespread hardwood tree damage. These trees were either snapped or uprooted. At least two mobile homes were destroyed. Based on this survey, the maximum estimated wind speed of this tornado while in Carroll County, was 95 miles per hour. Damage estimates in Carroll County are 1,277,000 dollars.

Hail in OWEN, KENTUCKY
From 02-MAR-12 16:25:00 to 02-MAR-12 16:29:00 (EST-5)
Location: NEW LIBERTY
Magnitude: 2.75 
Reported by: Emergency Manager