Low pressure moved across the southern Great Lakes during the morning hours on January 17th.  A strong cold front crossed southern Indiana during the early afternoon. Ahead of this boundary, a squall line fueled by temperatures in the lower 60s with dewpoints in the upper 50s moved across the Ohio River during the late morning. This line continued to the southeast, finally exiting central Kentucky near the lake Cumberland Area around mid-afternoon. This line of storms exhibited bowing segments and occasional mesovorticies that brought several tornadoes and scattered wind damage. The 9 tornadoes surveyed across both central Kentucky and southern Indiana made this episode the most prolific regional January tornado outbreak recorded.

Tornado in JEFFERSON, KENTUCKY
From 17-JAN-12 11:12:00 to 17-JAN-12 11:17:00 (EST-5)
Location: INDIAN HILLS
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 300.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

An EF-1 tornado with estimated winds of 95 mph did considerable damage along a nearly 8 mile path across the northeastern suburbs of Louisville. The twister first touched down just east of the intersection of Interstate 264 and Brownsboro Road.  It did considerable roof damage to many homes to the south of Brownsboro Road and snapped numerous large trees which toppled onto the heavily traveled roadway near Ten Broeck Way.  After briefly lifting over a shopping complex near the intersection of Brownsboro and Hurstbourne Roads, the tornado touched down again, tearing a large exterior wall from an indoor tennis facility, then flipped two semi trailers as it crossed Interstate 265, injuring the driver of one.  After crossing the interstate, it continued to skip northeast for another 4 miles into Oldham County, doing primarily roof damage in addition to snapping and uprooting taller trees. The last major damage occurred near the corner of Ballardsville Rd and Murphy Lane, where the roof of a large horse barn was partially torn off.

Thunderstorm Wind in BRECKINRIDGE, KENTUCKY
From 17-JAN-12 10:07:00 to 17-JAN-12 10:07:00 (CST-6)
Location: CLOVERPORT
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

The county highway department reported several trees downed near Cloverport.

Thunderstorm Wind in JEFFERSON, KENTUCKY
From 17-JAN-12 11:07:00 to 17-JAN-12 11:07:00 (EST-5)
Location: AUDUBON PARK
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 2.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A spotter reported that 4 large utility poles were broken near the intersection of Floyd Street and Dakota Ave.

Thunderstorm Wind in JEFFERSON, KENTUCKY
From 17-JAN-12 11:15:00 to 17-JAN-12 11:15:00 (EST-5)
Location: SPRINGDALE
Magnitude: 70.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: County Official

A county official reported that a tree fell on a house near the 3600 block of Rems Road.

Thunderstorm Wind in BRECKINRIDGE, KENTUCKY
From 17-JAN-12 10:21:00 to 17-JAN-12 10:21:00 (CST-6)
Location: HARDINSBURG ARPT
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 2.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

The local emergency manager reported that a few shingles were blown off a house in Hardinsburg.

Thunderstorm Wind in BRECKINRIDGE, KENTUCKY
From 17-JAN-12 10:23:00 to 17-JAN-12 10:23:00 (CST-6)
Location: MC QUADY
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 2.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

The county highway department reported that a cattle traler was overturned near McQuady.

Thunderstorm Wind in SHELBY, KENTUCKY
From 17-JAN-12 11:30:00 to 17-JAN-12 11:30:00 (EST-5)
Location: CHESTNUT GROVE
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 2.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

A member of the public reported damage to a barn. Trees were twisted and part of a silo was missing at a farm along Highway 53 in north Shelby County.

Thunderstorm Wind in BRECKINRIDGE, KENTUCKY
From 17-JAN-12 10:35:00 to 17-JAN-12 10:35:00 (CST-6)
Location: ROFF
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

The local department of highways reported several trees were downed near Roff.

Thunderstorm Wind in FRANKLIN, KENTUCKY
From 17-JAN-12 11:58:00 to 17-JAN-12 11:58:00 (EST-5)
Location: JETT
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A spotter reported that a shop was destroyed on Leestown Road near Frankfort.

Thunderstorm Wind in FRANKLIN, KENTUCKY
From 17-JAN-12 12:00:00 to 17-JAN-12 12:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: JETT
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Local media reported that a roof was blown off a storage facility on Leestown Road.

Thunderstorm Wind in NELSON, KENTUCKY
From 17-JAN-12 12:05:00 to 17-JAN-12 12:05:00 (EST-5)
Location: HIGHGROVE
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A spotter reported that some shingles were lost from his roof. An 8 in diameter tree was downed.

Thunderstorm Wind in SCOTT, KENTUCKY
From 17-JAN-12 12:12:00 to 17-JAN-12 12:12:00 (EST-5)
Location: GEORGETOWN
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Local broadcast media reported some roof damage to a building in Georgetown.  Water then damaged the interior.

Thunderstorm Wind in LARUE, KENTUCKY
From 17-JAN-12 12:15:00 to 17-JAN-12 12:15:00 (EST-5)
Location: WHITE CITY
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

The local emergency manager reported that a couple of trees and a utility pole was downed on White City Road.

Thunderstorm Wind in GREEN, KENTUCKY
From 17-JAN-12 12:31:00 to 17-JAN-12 12:31:00 (CST-6)
Location: GREENSBURG
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A trained spotter reported a tree down at a local park. This tree blocked the entrance. .

Thunderstorm Wind in CASEY, KENTUCKY
From 17-JAN-12 13:55:00 to 17-JAN-12 13:55:00 (EST-5)
Location: LIBERTY
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Local law enforcement reported several trees down on Wilson Ridge Road.

Thunderstorm Wind in CLARK, KENTUCKY
From 17-JAN-12 13:20:00 to 17-JAN-12 13:20:00 (EST-5)
Location: WYANDOTTE
Magnitude: 52.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

A Kentucky Mesonet site measured a 60 mph gust.

Thunderstorm Wind in GREEN, KENTUCKY
From 17-JAN-12 12:25:00 to 17-JAN-12 12:25:00 (CST-6)
Location: HUDGINS
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A spotter located 5 miles northwest of Summersville estimated a 60 mph wind gust.

Tornado in JEFFERSON, KENTUCKY
From 17-JAN-12 11:20:00 to 17-JAN-12 11:21:00 (EST-5)
Location: BUECHEL
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

An EF-1 tornado touched down just to the north of the intersection of Hurstbourne Parkway and Stony Brook Drive. It traveled northeast along Stony Brook Drive and lifted near the intersection of Stony Brook and Laverne Drive.  Numerous trees were snapped along it path.  Siding and shingles were blown off of multiple houses.  On Michael Edward Drive, a garage door was blown in on a detached garage. The roof of this house was lifted and shifted a foot.

Thunderstorm Wind in SCOTT, KENTUCKY
From 17-JAN-12 12:03:00 to 17-JAN-12 12:03:00 (EST-5)
Location: WHITE SULPHER
Magnitude: 56.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

At the intersection of Muir and Midway Lanes, a downburst removed a 60 by 40 foot section of roof from a barn.  Several trees were toppled and some shingles were torn off a house.

Thunderstorm Wind in BRECKINRIDGE, KENTUCKY
From 17-JAN-12 10:25:00 to 17-JAN-12 10:25:00 (CST-6)
Location: HARNED
Magnitude: 56.00 EG
Property damage: 8.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

Strong straight line winds removed the roof from an old barn, throwing it onto the roof of a residence, damaging its roof in turn.

Thunderstorm Wind in FRANKLIN, KENTUCKY
From 17-JAN-12 11:59:00 to 17-JAN-12 11:59:00 (EST-5)
Location: JETT
Magnitude: 56.00 EG
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

An NWS survey team identified straight line wind damage next to Leestown Road near the  intersection of Highways 421 and 60 just east of Frankfort. A power pole was blown down. At a storage unit facility, the roof was removed from three individual storage units.

Tornado in SCOTT, KENTUCKY
From 17-JAN-12 12:12:00 to 17-JAN-12 12:13:00 (EST-5)
Location: WHITE SULPHER
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 30.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

The tornado touched down at 338 Soards Road and moved east, lifting as it began to cross a pond.  A well-anchored 50 by 20 three bay barn was destroyed and scattered in three directions.  Another small barn was destroyed, with damage to a third structure. Numerous trees were blown down, snapped or uprooted. Fences were blown over.

Tornado in ALLEN, KENTUCKY
From 17-JAN-12 12:20:00 to 17-JAN-12 12:31:00 (CST-6)
Location: CLARE
Tornado F-scale: EF2
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A long tracked EF-2 tornado that started in Simpson County continued for another 5 and a quarter miles in Allen County. The twister entered Allen County where Highway 100 crosses Sulfur Fork Creek and uprooted many trees as it crossed over a rural area for several miles.  Before lifting, the tornado damaged some homes along Walker Chapel Road about one half mile south of Highway 100.

Tornado in SIMPSON, KENTUCKY
From 17-JAN-12 12:20:00 to 17-JAN-12 12:31:00 (CST-6)
Location: HICKORY FLAT
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 75.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

This long tracked EF-2 tornado had a path length of over 8 miles, touching down in Simpson County and continuing through a portion of Allen County.  The twister moved from west to east, traveling 3 miles in Simpson County and 5 1/4 miles in Allen County. This tornado touched down near Hickory Flat Road just south of its intersection with Hickory Flat-Rapids Road.  A dozen trees were uprooted near its touchdown.  The most significant damage occurred near the intersection of McKendree Church Road and Highway 100 where a well constructed brick house completely lost its roof. Multiple barns, garages, and outbuildings were destroyed here as well.  Nearby, a complete roof of one outbuilding was thrown one half mile to the east.  Other significant damage was surveyed at the intersection of Highway 100 and Reeder School Road near the Simpson Allen County line.  One house had severe roof damage and an exterior wall blown out.  A jeep in the driveway was blown into the house.  A camper was blown from the driveway across the road with other debris scattered through the field beyond.