A slow-moving cold front passed across the region between the 20th and 22nd. Several upper level disturbances moved north-northeast along the front, touching off numerous showers and thunderstorms. The ground was already moist from snowmelt in the wake of the early December winter storm. On the 21st, a strong negatively tilted shortwave at 500 mb ejected northeast from the southern Plains, providing strong forcing for ascent. Widespread heavy rain and thunderstorms surged northeast in association with the strengthening surface low that tracked across western Kentucky. Storm total rainfall amounts ranged from 3 to 6 inches in most areas, with the highest amounts west of Kentucky Lake. Isolated higher rainfall amounts up to 9 inches occurred in Ballard County, near the confluence of the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers. Ditches and creeks quickly spilled out onto roadways and into nearby fields. There were numerous road closures and water rescues as waters continued to rise.

Flood in CHRISTIAN, KENTUCKY
From 21-DEC-13 04:00:00 to 21-DEC-13 14:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: HOPKINSVILLE ARPT
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

Moderate flooding occurred along the south fork of the Little River on the east side of Hopkinsville. At the river gage at the U.S. Highway 68 bridge, the river crested at 17.75 feet. Flood stage there is 15 feet. A secondary road on the south fork of the Little River was closed. Low-lying woods and fields were flooded.

Flash Flood in HENDERSON, KENTUCKY
From 21-DEC-13 09:01:00 to 22-DEC-13 00:15:00 (CST-6)
Location: HENDERSON
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Several state roads were closed due to high water, including portions of Highways 2247, 812, 1557, and 1439. There was high water on Kentucky Highways 2183 and 136, but they remained open. A water rescue was conducted near Smith Mills, where a vehicle overturned in a ditch. All persons were removed from the vehicle by EMS personnel. In the city of Henderson, there was one to two feet of standing water on a street, and high water signs were posted on U.S. Highway 41 near Audubon Park.

Flash Flood in CARLISLE, KENTUCKY
From 21-DEC-13 15:00:00 to 21-DEC-13 19:45:00 (CST-6)
Location: BERKELEY
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Highway 80 was closed due to flooding on the west side of Arlington. State Route 1820 was also closed. U.S. Highway 62 was flooded by Westfork Creek between Cunningham and Bardwell but was not closed. Several low-lying roads were flooded in the Cunningham area.

Flash Flood in MCCRACKEN, KENTUCKY
From 21-DEC-13 15:35:00 to 22-DEC-13 01:15:00 (CST-6)
Location: REIDLAND
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A number of roads were affected by flooding. Severe flooding was reported at a couple of intersections on U.S. Highway 62 in the city of Paducah. A county road off of U.S. Highway 60 west of Paducah was impassable due to three feet of water. At least one city street in Paducah was impassable. On Highway 60 in Paducah, a manhole cover was blown off by water surging up from the storm sewer. The rainfall total at the Paducah National Weather Service office was 5.26 inches.

Flash Flood in BALLARD, KENTUCKY
From 21-DEC-13 17:06:00 to 22-DEC-13 01:15:00 (CST-6)
Location: OSCAR
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Major flash flooding prompted a declaration of a state of emergency for Ballard County. Numerous roads were flooded across the county, including at least 16 that were impassable. A 54-year-old man was killed near Barlow when he was swept away by floodwaters after trying to get out of his car. His body was washed one-quarter to one-half mile off the small county road into a wooded area. An elderly woman was rescued from a stranded vehicle near a bridge on State Highway 725 near Kevil. Flooding of Clayton Creek impacted a road near Bandana such that only the top of the bridge was visible. An emergency management official in La Center measured 9.12 inches of rain, most of which fell in 15 hours.

Flash Flood in CALLOWAY, KENTUCKY
From 21-DEC-13 17:31:00 to 22-DEC-13 02:15:00 (CST-6)
Location: STELLA
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 40.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

The main street through the center of Murray was nearly impassable in spots. Cars were stalling out in the roadway. Floodwaters from a city creek were backing into homes. Highway 80 north of Murray was impassable in spots. A water rescue was conducted on a residential street on the south side of Murray. Five people were stranded on top of a jeep. A heavily travelled access road was closed in a business strip of Murray along the Highway 121 bypass. A mile west of Hazel, a car was swept off the road. The occupants were rescued. Several roadways around Lynn Grove had areas of standing water.

Flash Flood in FULTON, KENTUCKY
From 21-DEC-13 18:52:00 to 22-DEC-13 00:15:00 (CST-6)
Location: FULTON
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Water was approaching the back of stores in the Fulton business district, prompting sandbagging of some buildings. City streets were flooded, and a couple were closed. South of Cayce, the intersection of Highways 94 and 239 was closed.

Flash Flood in HOPKINS, KENTUCKY
From 21-DEC-13 19:10:00 to 22-DEC-13 00:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: MADISONVILLE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Highway 254 was impassable due to flooding near Madisonville. In Madisonville, U.S. Highway 41 was closed due to flooding, and a vehicle was stranded in floodwaters at a mall. The driver of the vehicle was safely removed. Four streets in Dawson Springs were closed. A secondary road near Beulah was blocked by flooding.

Flash Flood in TRIGG, KENTUCKY
From 21-DEC-13 19:45:00 to 22-DEC-13 00:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: ROCKCASTLE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Several roads were closed in the county. A couple of streets were flooded in Cadiz.

Flash Flood in HICKMAN, KENTUCKY
From 21-DEC-13 21:00:00 to 21-DEC-13 23:40:00 (CST-6)
Location: FULHAM
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Highway 123 was closed between the 13 and 15 mile markers. Water was over Highway 58 at the Graves County line. Kentucky 307 was underwater near Beulah. U.S. Highway 51 was underwater near Clinton. A section of Kentucky 239 was underwater.