Strong instability developed during the afternoon of the 21st to the south of a weak boundary sliding south across central Indiana. A shortwave moving across the western Great Lakes contributed to steep low level lapse rates and strong mid-level winds that supported several rounds of strong convection. During the early evening, a southeastward-moving bow echo brought widespread wind damage to the western Bluegrass Region. This initial round of storms produced an outflow boundary that moved west of Louisville and later proved a focus for additional severe storms during the early morning hours.  These additional early morning storms were also supported by a strong low level southwesterly jet. During the early morning hours, a wet microburst developed near Radcliff. This microburst was the beginning of a long-lived bow echo that rapidly moved southeast and brought large hail and widespread wind damage across central Kentucky, including the towns of Elizabethtown, Hodgenville, and Campbellsville.

Thunderstorm Wind in LARUE, KENTUCKY
From 22-MAY-14 04:36:00 to 22-MAY-14 04:42:00 (EST-5)
Location: HODGENVILLE
Magnitude: 59.00 EG
Property damage: 100.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A storm survey confirmed widespread straight line wind damage in Hodgenville. A compact but fast moving bow echo that earlier damaged Radcliff brought a measured wind gust of 68 mph to a Kentucky Mesonet site just west of Hodgenville.  Numerous soft and hardwood trees had either toppled or had had branches stripped and thrown in a southeasterly direction. A concentrated area of damage consistent with 70 mph winds was surveyed just east of downtown Hodgenville. Awnings and some roof siding were stripped from several buildings. Widespread tree damage was noted near the Red Hill Cemetery. The cemetery's large flag pole was bent at a nearly 45 degree angle. Hail up to half dollar size fell for an estimated 20 minutes.

Thunderstorm Wind in SCOTT, KENTUCKY
From 21-MAY-14 19:06:00 to 21-MAY-14 19:06:00 (EST-5)
Location: GEORGETOWN
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A spotter reported a tree down near 1004 Lloyd Road.

Thunderstorm Wind in JEFFERSON, KENTUCKY
From 21-MAY-14 19:40:00 to 21-MAY-14 19:40:00 (EST-5)
Location: EASTWOOD
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Local law enforcement reported trees down along Eastwood...Fisherville Road.

Thunderstorm Wind in FRANKLIN, KENTUCKY
From 21-MAY-14 19:45:00 to 21-MAY-14 19:45:00 (EST-5)
Location: FARMDALE
Magnitude: 56.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A spotter reported large limbs downed by estimated 65 mph wind gusts.

Thunderstorm Wind in GARRARD, KENTUCKY
From 21-MAY-14 20:20:00 to 21-MAY-14 20:20:00 (EST-5)
Location: LANCASTER
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

A bow echo downed multiple trees across the county, including some in Lancaster.

Thunderstorm Wind in BOYLE, KENTUCKY
From 21-MAY-14 20:20:00 to 21-MAY-14 20:20:00 (EST-5)
Location: SHELBY CITY
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

The Boyle County emergency manager reported that 3 trees had fallen along Airport Road near Junction City.

Thunderstorm Wind in MADISON, KENTUCKY
From 21-MAY-14 20:06:00 to 21-MAY-14 20:06:00 (EST-5)
Location: RICHMOND
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A bowing segment brought widespread power outages throughout the county.  Several trees were downed in Richmond.

Thunderstorm Wind in LINCOLN, KENTUCKY
From 21-MAY-14 20:25:00 to 21-MAY-14 20:25:00 (EST-5)
Location: STANFORD
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Local law enforcement reported trees down throughout the county. At 925 pm EDT, the Kentucky Mesonet 4 miles northeast of Stanford measured a 51 mph wind gust.

Thunderstorm Wind in CASEY, KENTUCKY
From 21-MAY-14 20:42:00 to 21-MAY-14 20:42:00 (EST-5)
Location: MIDDLEBURG
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

A few large trees were toppled near Middleburg.

Thunderstorm Wind in SCOTT, KENTUCKY
From 21-MAY-14 18:54:00 to 21-MAY-14 18:54:00 (EST-5)
Location: SAND LICK
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Scott County emergency management reported trees down along Pea Ridge Road and other locations along the Franklin/Scott County Line.

Thunderstorm Wind in JEFFERSON, KENTUCKY
From 21-MAY-14 19:21:00 to 21-MAY-14 19:21:00 (EST-5)
Location: HARRODS CREEK
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

The local media reported numerous power lines downed by an outflow boundary ahead of a thunderstorm.

Thunderstorm Wind in OLDHAM, KENTUCKY
From 21-MAY-14 19:20:00 to 21-MAY-14 19:20:00 (EST-5)
Location: FRAZERTOWN
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Employee

A NWS employee reported several trees down in his neighborhood 1 mile west of Pee Wee Valley. Twelve miles farther north, a Kentucky Mesonet site measured a 51 mph wind gust.

Thunderstorm Wind in SHELBY, KENTUCKY
From 21-MAY-14 19:25:00 to 21-MAY-14 19:25:00 (EST-5)
Location: SHELBYVILLE
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Multiple trees were downed within an area extending from Shelbyville west to the Jefferson County line. Several roads were blocked.

Thunderstorm Wind in SHELBY, KENTUCKY
From 21-MAY-14 19:27:00 to 21-MAY-14 19:27:00 (EST-5)
Location: SHELBYVILLE
Magnitude: 56.00 EG
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

In Shelbyville, siding was ripped off of a residence. Around town, several trees and traffic lights were downed.

Thunderstorm Wind in JESSAMINE, KENTUCKY
From 21-MAY-14 19:52:00 to 21-MAY-14 19:52:00 (EST-5)
Location: LOGANA
Magnitude: 56.00 EG
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Local law enforcement reported multiple trees down near the intersection of Tate's Creek and East Hickman Roads. Two miles to the west at around the same time, a tree fell on a garage.

Hail in MADISON, KENTUCKY
From 21-MAY-14 20:06:00 to 21-MAY-14 20:06:00 (EST-5)
Location: RICHMOND
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Thunderstorm Wind in MERCER, KENTUCKY
From 21-MAY-14 20:02:00 to 21-MAY-14 20:02:00 (EST-5)
Location: STRINGTOWN
Magnitude: 56.00 EG
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Local media reported minor roof damage at an auto parts store.

Hail in HARDIN, KENTUCKY
From 22-MAY-14 04:20:00 to 22-MAY-14 04:20:00 (EST-5)
Location: ELIZABETH TOWN
Magnitude: 1.25 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Storm Chaser

Thunderstorm Wind in FAYETTE, KENTUCKY
From 21-MAY-14 19:35:00 to 21-MAY-14 19:35:00 (EST-5)
Location: LEXINGTON
Magnitude: 50.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

The ASOS at the Bluegrass Airport west of Lexington measured a 57 mph wind gust.

Thunderstorm Wind in BOYLE, KENTUCKY
From 21-MAY-14 20:10:00 to 21-MAY-14 20:10:00 (EST-5)
Location: LITTLE NEEDMORE
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Highway 34 north of Danville was closed for an hour due to the removal of downed trees. In general, a bowing segment downed many trees countywide.

Thunderstorm Wind in MERCER, KENTUCKY
From 21-MAY-14 20:05:00 to 21-MAY-14 20:05:00 (EST-5)
Location: HARRODSBURG ARPT
Magnitude: 56.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

The Kentucky Mesonet site 3 miles north of Harrodsburg measured a 65 mph wind gust.

Thunderstorm Wind in FRANKLIN, KENTUCKY
From 21-MAY-14 19:45:00 to 21-MAY-14 19:45:00 (EST-5)
Location: LANES MILL
Magnitude: 52.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

The Kentucky Mesonet several miles south of Frankfort measured a 60 mph wind gust. Several miles north, the Frankfort Airport ASOS measured a 48 mph gust.

Lightning in SCOTT, KENTUCKY
From 22-MAY-14 03:40:00 to 22-MAY-14 03:40:00 (EST-5)
Location: GEORGETOWN
Property damage: 3.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

The Lexington media reported that lightning struck a church steeple in Georgetown, starting a small roof fire.

Thunderstorm Wind in HARDIN, KENTUCKY
From 22-MAY-14 03:57:00 to 22-MAY-14 04:01:00 (EST-5)
Location: RED HILL
Magnitude: 63.00 EG
Property damage: 150.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A storm survey confirmed damage from a wet microburst that damaged many trees and several buildings just northwest of Ratcliff. The area surveyed covered an area roughly one half mile wide and 2 to 3 miles in length. Based on damage, northwest winds gusted as high as 70 to 75 mph. Along with many downed trees, two homes on Kingswood Road near Hillcrest Road had large sections of their roof taken off and thrown several hundred yards to the southwest. Several homes on Scenic Drive has substantial garage and siding damage. Two businesses at a strip mall just off of Highway 31W had sections of their roof damaged. Hail up to penny size fell for 20 minutes and produced some drifts up to one foot high.

Thunderstorm Wind in LARUE, KENTUCKY
From 22-MAY-14 04:40:00 to 22-MAY-14 04:40:00 (EST-5)
Location: LEAFDALE
Magnitude: 59.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

A 68 mph wind gust was measured by a Kentucky Mesonet site 2 miles east of Hodgenville.

Thunderstorm Wind in HENRY, KENTUCKY
From 21-MAY-14 18:30:00 to 21-MAY-14 18:30:00 (EST-5)
Location: BETHLEHEM
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Local law enforcement reported several trees down centered around Bethlehem.

Thunderstorm Wind in TAYLOR, KENTUCKY
From 22-MAY-14 05:24:00 to 22-MAY-14 05:27:00 (EST-5)
Location: SWEENEYVILLE
Magnitude: 63.00 EG
Property damage: 150.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A storm survey confirmed that widespread damage around Campbellsville was caused by straight line winds of between 70 and 75 mph.  These winds were brought by a long lasting bow echo that originated an hour and one half earlier near Radcliff.  The most concentrated damage occurred along a path from roughly 3 miles northwest of Campbellsville to one mile southeast of downtown.  Near the intersection of Highways 883 and 210 northwest of town, a home had a recent addition blown off and an office outbuilding was thrown and flipped upside down.  A farm had a silo and two sheet metal barns damaged.  In Campbellsville, widespread tree damage was surveyed.  A storage building connected with a florist shop had its roof removed.  A resident's chimney was damaged, with bricks damaging several vehicles.  Hail up to the size of ping pong balls was also reported.