During the afternoon, a supercell thunderstorm developed along a quasi-stationary front that extended from southwest to northeast along the Lower Ohio River Valley. Deep and strong southwesterly wind flow stretched from Texas to the Great Lakes region ahead of an expansive upper-level trough over the western and central states. Several weak disturbances tracked northeastward, contributing to the development of the isolated supercell. Strong low and mid-level wind fields supported the formation of the supercell, which spawned an isolated EF-2 tornado in Livingston County.
Later on during the night, more storms developed in a region of strong warm advection near a low level jet in excess of 50 knots. Marginal instability developed as a surface warm front lifted northward. This round of storms produced heavy rain and some flash flooding.

Funnel Cloud in UNION, KENTUCKY
From 12-JAN-13 16:02:00 to 12-JAN-13 16:02:00 (CST-6)
Location: WAVERLY
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Thunderstorm Wind in MCCRACKEN, KENTUCKY
From 12-JAN-13 14:40:00 to 12-JAN-13 14:45:00 (CST-6)
Location: LONE OAK
Magnitude: 56.00 EG
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Several large trees up to three feet in diameter were blown down across portions of the south side of Paducah. A tree landed on a day care facility. At least a few homes had some shingles blown off. A couple of miles south of Lone Oak, there was damage at a nursery. Tree limbs were blown down, and a barn and greenhouse were damaged.

Tornado in LIVINGSTON, KENTUCKY
From 12-JAN-13 15:18:00 to 12-JAN-13 15:20:00 (CST-6)
Location: HAMPTON
Tornado F-scale: EF2
Property damage: 100.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

The tornado began on the southwest side of town and travelled northeast along Highway 838. Peak winds were estimated around 120 mph. The average path width was 175 yards. The sanctuary of a church collapsed. The steeple was blown off a second church, and some shingles were damaged. Several trees were blown down or snapped. A few homes received shingle damage.

Flash Flood in WEBSTER, KENTUCKY
From 13-JAN-13 04:00:00 to 13-JAN-13 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: PROVIDENCE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 20.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Emergency management officials reported multiple state roads closed due to flooding. Two individuals were rescued from the top of a flooded vehicle.

Flash Flood in DAVIESS, KENTUCKY
From 13-JAN-13 02:10:00 to 13-JAN-13 05:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: (OWB)OWENSBORO ARPT
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 3.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Significant street flooding occurred in Owensboro. Water was at least two feet deep on a side street, with water entering yards. At the Owensboro airport, rainfall was nearly an inch per hour.

Flash Flood in MCCRACKEN, KENTUCKY
From 12-JAN-13 14:00:00 to 12-JAN-13 16:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: HEATH
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Deep water was flowing across a couple of roads west of Paducah, including State Highway 305. Highway 994 was shut down in Paducah due to flash flooding. A vehicle that was unable to navigate a flooded intersection in Paducah ended up in a flooded ditch. In Paducah, floodwaters from Crooked Creek overtopped a bridge, closing the road. A garage was flooded in an urban area in Paducah. The 24-hour rainfall at the National Weather Service office in Paducah was 4.61 inches. A total of 1.40 inches fell within 40 minutes.

Heavy Rain in MCCRACKEN, KENTUCKY
From 13-JAN-13 01:20:00 to 13-JAN-13 02:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: LONE OAK
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

About a foot of water was over Kentucky Highway 994 at Champion Creek, which is a flood-prone location. Floodwaters from Champion Creek entered a garage. A flood-prone railroad underpass on U.S. Highway 45 in Paducah was closed. Water was over a few other streets.

Thunderstorm Wind in HICKMAN, KENTUCKY
From 12-JAN-13 13:40:00 to 12-JAN-13 13:40:00 (CST-6)
Location: CLINTON
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 10.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

A grain bin was heavily damaged. The contents of the nearly full grain bin spilled onto surrounding areas, including U.S. Highway 51. The highway was closed.

Heavy Rain in HENDERSON, KENTUCKY
From 12-JAN-13 23:45:00 to 13-JAN-13 00:15:00 (CST-6)
Location: HENDERSON
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Minor flooding was reported on U.S. Highway 41 through the business strip of Henderson.

Flash Flood in LIVINGSTON, KENTUCKY
From 12-JAN-13 23:30:00 to 13-JAN-13 02:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: BAYOU
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Heavy rain put numerous Livingston County highways underwater. Livingston County fire departments assisted state highway crews in putting up signs to mark as many flooded areas as possible along highways. At least one motorist had to be rescued after driving into floodwaters in the darkness. U.S. Highway 60 was closed at the 16 and 17 mile markers between Smithland and Burna, where water was reported to be at least 2 feet deep. Water was also over other spots along U.S. 60. Water was over the road on parts of Kentucky Highways 133, 1433, and 723. Water was over a number of county roads and city streets.

Flash Flood in CALLOWAY, KENTUCKY
From 13-JAN-13 08:42:00 to 13-JAN-13 09:55:00 (CST-6)
Location: MURRAY
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A couple of secondary roads in the southern part of the county were impassable due to flooding.