Low pressure over the Great Lakes and a cold front extending southwest from it through the northwest Ohio Valley and into the middle of Missouri were the initial cause of severe thunderstorms that eventually moved across eastern Kentucky later in the evening of May 21st. Southeast of this weather system, plenty of fuel was building for convection in the form of dew points in the low to mid 60s and temperatures pushing 80 degrees. This helped to prime east Kentucky for showers and storms later in the evening and through the night. The main show later that evening was eventually also associated with ongoing storms in Ohio and Indiana both directly and as a cluster of new storms that formed on an old outflow boundary.

Thunderstorm Wind in ROCKCASTLE, KENTUCKY
From 21-MAY-14 20:53:00 to 21-MAY-14 20:53:00 (EST-5)
Location: LIVINGSTON
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Reported by: Public

Trees and power lines were blown down in Livingston.

Thunderstorm Wind in ROCKCASTLE, KENTUCKY
From 21-MAY-14 20:56:00 to 21-MAY-14 20:56:00 (EST-5)
Location: PONGO
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Reported by: Public

Trees and power lines were blown down in Pongo.

Thunderstorm Wind in JACKSON, KENTUCKY
From 21-MAY-14 20:57:00 to 21-MAY-14 20:57:00 (EST-5)
Location: GREENHILL
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Reported by: State Official

Two trees were blown down on Welchburg Road in Green Hill.

Thunderstorm Wind in JACKSON, KENTUCKY
From 21-MAY-14 20:57:00 to 21-MAY-14 20:57:00 (EST-5)
Location: TYNER
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Reported by: County Official

Power lines were blown down in Tyner.

Thunderstorm Wind in JACKSON, KENTUCKY
From 21-MAY-14 20:57:00 to 21-MAY-14 20:57:00 (EST-5)
Location: ANNVILLE
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Reported by: State Official

Trees and power lines were blown down in Annville. The power lines were blown down on Hwy 587.

Thunderstorm Wind in OWSLEY, KENTUCKY
From 21-MAY-14 21:00:00 to 21-MAY-14 21:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: BOONEVILLE
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Trees were twisted off and a roof was blown off of a small shed off of Brandenburg Road in Booneville.

Thunderstorm Wind in OWSLEY, KENTUCKY
From 21-MAY-14 21:00:00 to 21-MAY-14 21:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: LEVI
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A tree blown down by thunderstorm wind gusts was blocking Hwy 30 West in Levi.

Thunderstorm Wind in OWSLEY, KENTUCKY
From 21-MAY-14 21:00:00 to 21-MAY-14 21:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: BOONEVILLE
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Pine trees were blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind in ROCKCASTLE, KENTUCKY
From 21-MAY-14 21:02:00 to 21-MAY-14 21:02:00 (EST-5)
Location: MARETBURG
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A large tree limb about 6 inches in diameter had been blown down and onto the roadway in Maretburg.

Thunderstorm Wind in OWSLEY, KENTUCKY
From 21-MAY-14 21:04:00 to 21-MAY-14 21:04:00 (EST-5)
Location: LEROSE
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A power line had been blown down and onto Hwy 30 East in Lerose.

Thunderstorm Wind in LAUREL, KENTUCKY
From 21-MAY-14 21:05:00 to 21-MAY-14 21:05:00 (EST-5)
Location: EAST BERNSTADT
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Reported by: Amateur Radio

Trees and power lines were blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind in CLAY, KENTUCKY
From 21-MAY-14 21:05:00 to 21-MAY-14 21:05:00 (EST-5)
Location: SEXTONS CREEK
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Reported by: COOP Observer

A 3 foot diameter tree was blown down and onto a house..

Thunderstorm Wind in OWSLEY, KENTUCKY
From 21-MAY-14 21:05:00 to 21-MAY-14 21:05:00 (EST-5)
Location: LEROSE
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A pine tree was blown down and onto power lines.

Thunderstorm Wind in LAUREL, KENTUCKY
From 21-MAY-14 21:12:00 to 21-MAY-14 21:12:00 (EST-5)
Location: PINE GROVE
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Several trees and tree limbs were blown down on Hammock and Lily roads.

Thunderstorm Wind in LAUREL, KENTUCKY
From 21-MAY-14 21:13:00 to 21-MAY-14 21:13:00 (EST-5)
Location: LILY
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Reported by: Trained Spotter

The roof of an auto repair center was damaged by thunderstorm wind gusts.

Thunderstorm Wind in LAUREL, KENTUCKY
From 21-MAY-14 21:12:00 to 21-MAY-14 21:12:00 (EST-5)
Location: LONDON
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Reported by: Public

Two large trees were blown down at 496 Arden Drive.

Thunderstorm Wind in BREATHITT, KENTUCKY
From 21-MAY-14 21:14:00 to 21-MAY-14 21:14:00 (EST-5)
Location: TURKEY
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A walnut tree was blown down just off of Hwy 30 West in Turkey.

Thunderstorm Wind in BREATHITT, KENTUCKY
From 21-MAY-14 21:16:00 to 21-MAY-14 21:16:00 (EST-5)
Location: TURKEY
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Reported by: NWS Employee

A large healthy tree was blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind in KNOX, KENTUCKY
From 21-MAY-14 21:25:00 to 21-MAY-14 21:25:00 (EST-5)
Location: GRAY
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Trees and power lines were blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind in ESTILL, KENTUCKY
From 21-MAY-14 20:30:00 to 21-MAY-14 20:30:00 (EST-5)
Location: IRVINE
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Trees were blown down in Irvine.

Thunderstorm Wind in JACKSON, KENTUCKY
From 21-MAY-14 20:40:00 to 21-MAY-14 20:40:00 (EST-5)
Location: SANDGAP
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Reported by: State Official

Two trees were blown down on Hwy 421 North in Sandgap.

Thunderstorm Wind in LAUREL, KENTUCKY
From 21-MAY-14 21:20:00 to 21-MAY-14 21:20:00 (EST-5)
Location: TUTTLE
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Trees and power lines were blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind in LESLIE, KENTUCKY
From 21-MAY-14 21:30:00 to 21-MAY-14 21:30:00 (EST-5)
Location: ROCKHOUSE
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Reported by: Broadcast Media

A tree and some power lines were blown down and onto a home on Charity Lane.

Thunderstorm Wind in ROCKCASTLE, KENTUCKY
From 21-MAY-14 20:43:00 to 21-MAY-14 20:43:00 (EST-5)
Location: BRODHEAD
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Two power lines were blown down in Brodhead. Both Silver and School Streets were blocked by downed trees.

Thunderstorm Wind in HARLAN, KENTUCKY
From 21-MAY-14 21:50:00 to 21-MAY-14 21:50:00 (EST-5)
Location: BAXTER
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Trees were blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind in HARLAN, KENTUCKY
From 21-MAY-14 21:50:00 to 21-MAY-14 21:50:00 (EST-5)
Location: LONGTON
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Trees were blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind in JACKSON, KENTUCKY
From 21-MAY-14 20:45:00 to 21-MAY-14 20:45:00 (EST-5)
Location: MC KEE
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Reported by: State Official

Four trees were blown down on Hwy 290 in McKee.

Thunderstorm Wind in JACKSON, KENTUCKY
From 21-MAY-14 20:45:00 to 21-MAY-14 20:45:00 (EST-5)
Location: NEW ZION
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Reported by: State Official

A tree was blown down on Hwy 587 in New Zion.

Thunderstorm Wind in ROCKCASTLE, KENTUCKY
From 21-MAY-14 20:48:00 to 21-MAY-14 20:48:00 (EST-5)
Location: BRODHEAD
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Two trees were blown down in the Quail Community Park.

Thunderstorm Wind in PERRY, KENTUCKY
From 21-MAY-14 21:45:00 to 21-MAY-14 21:45:00 (EST-5)
Location: HAZARD
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Reported by: Broadcast Media

A tree was blown down and onto a house near the old Hazard High School.

Thunderstorm Wind in LETCHER, KENTUCKY
From 21-MAY-14 22:15:00 to 21-MAY-14 22:15:00 (EST-5)
Location: WHITCO
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Reported by: COOP Observer

Gutters and downspouts were blown off of a house in Whitesburg.

Thunderstorm Wind in LESLIE, KENTUCKY
From 21-MAY-14 21:40:00 to 21-MAY-14 21:40:00 (EST-5)
Location: WENDOVER
Magnitude: 55.00 EG
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Trees and limbs were blown down and led to downed power lines and power outages in the Wendover area and other locations in Leslie county.

Thunderstorm Wind in ROCKCASTLE, KENTUCKY
From 21-MAY-14 20:45:00 to 21-MAY-14 20:45:00 (EST-5)
Location: MARETBURG
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Reported by: Public

A tree was blown down along Maretburg Road in Maretburg. This was a public report received via twitter.

Thunderstorm Wind in JACKSON, KENTUCKY
From 21-MAY-14 20:50:00 to 21-MAY-14 20:50:00 (EST-5)
Location: GRAY HAWK
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Reported by: State Official

A tree was blown down on Lower Adkins Town Road in Gray Hawk.

Thunderstorm Wind in BELL, KENTUCKY
From 21-MAY-14 21:44:00 to 21-MAY-14 21:44:00 (EST-5)
Location: BEVERLY
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Reported by: Public

Large tree branches were blown down and onto Hwy 2011.

Thunderstorm Wind in BELL, KENTUCKY
From 21-MAY-14 21:53:00 to 21-MAY-14 21:53:00 (EST-5)
Location: CUBAGE
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Several trees were blown down or uprooted near Cubage along KY Hwy 987.

Thunderstorm Wind in BELL, KENTUCKY
From 21-MAY-14 21:55:00 to 21-MAY-14 21:55:00 (EST-5)
Location: CUBAGE
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Large trees were uprooted and a barn was moved from its foundation.

Thunderstorm Wind in ROCKCASTLE, KENTUCKY
From 21-MAY-14 20:51:00 to 21-MAY-14 20:51:00 (EST-5)
Location: PINE HILL
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Reported by: Public

Trees and power lines were blown down in Pine Hill.

Thunderstorm Wind in JACKSON, KENTUCKY
From 21-MAY-14 20:45:00 to 21-MAY-14 20:45:00 (EST-5)
Location: MC KEE
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Reported by: 911 Call Center

A tree was blown down on Hwy 89 South in McKee.

Thunderstorm Wind in OWSLEY, KENTUCKY
From 21-MAY-14 20:57:00 to 21-MAY-14 20:57:00 (EST-5)
Location: LEVI
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A tree blocking both lanes of Hwy 30 East 2 miles west of Booneville.

Thunderstorm Wind in BELL, KENTUCKY
From 21-MAY-14 21:44:00 to 21-MAY-14 21:44:00 (EST-5)
Location: DAVISBURG
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Multiple trees were blown down between Frakes and Pineville.