A major macroburst with winds over 100 mph at times caused extensive damage in the Evansville area. Thunderstorms intensified and evolved into a bowing structure that spread east across southwest Indiana. The storms developed ahead of a cold front extending from northern Indiana southwest across central Illinois into southeast Missouri. Convergence in the vicinity of the cold front, where the environment remained moderately unstable, supported thunderstorm development. Bulk wind shear was strong enough to support organized severe storm structures.

Thunderstorm Wind in VANDERBURGH, INDIANA
From 09-MAY-14 15:28:00 to 09-MAY-14 15:43:00 (CST-6)
Location: HOWELL
Magnitude: 104.00 EG
Property damage: 35.00M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A very intense macroburst caused extensive damage across the Evansville metro area, primarily the north half of the city. The macroburst was about three miles wide on average. The macroburst started on the west side of Evansville and moved east-northeast across the Melody Hill area into Warrick County. Peak winds were estimated near 120 mph. Wind speeds averaged from 60 to 90 mph, with frequent peaks over 100 mph. A damage assessment indicated roughly 100 structures were damaged, with dozens destroyed. Dozens of vehicles were damaged due to falling trees. The assessed number of damaged homes and vehicles includes Warrick County as well. Thousands of trees were uprooted, snapped, or otherwise damaged. Hundreds of power poles were snapped or blown over. Damage to one farmstead was estimated at over two million dollars. The specific types of damage included a mobile home that was blown off its support piers, roofing that was blown off some structures, and window and siding damage to many others. Most of the structural damage was caused by falling trees. Power was out to a large part of the city. The power company servicing the region reported 50,000 customers without power a couple hours after the storm. Numerous roads were blocked by downed trees and power lines. Numerous wires were blown down or hanging low, and telephone service was not reliable. At the Evansville airport, several trailers and a semi were overturned. The automated weather observing equipment at the airport was damaged. A wind gust to 89 mph was measured at the Evansville airport control tower. The Red Cross set up a shelter for those without power. An outdoor warning siren was blown into the woods. The total length of the damage area across Vanderburgh, Warrick, and Spencer Counties was 35 miles.

Heavy Rain in SPENCER, INDIANA
From 09-MAY-14 16:22:00 to 09-MAY-14 17:15:00 (CST-6)
Location: DALE
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

There was ponding of water on several roads.

Thunderstorm Wind in WARRICK, INDIANA
From 09-MAY-14 15:43:00 to 09-MAY-14 15:58:00 (CST-6)
Location: STEVENSON
Magnitude: 104.00 EG
Property damage: 25.00M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A very intense macroburst caused extensive damage across the county, including the Boonville area. The average width of the damage area was about three miles. The macroburst entered Warrick County from Vanderburgh County in the Stevenson and Newburgh areas. It continued east roughly along Highway 62 across Boonville to the Tennyson area. Peak winds were estimated near 120 mph. Wind speeds averaged from 60 to 90 mph, with frequent peaks over 100 mph. A damage assessment indicated roughly 100 structures were damaged, with dozens destroyed. Dozens of vehicles were damaged due to falling trees. The assessed number of damaged homes and vehicles includes Evansville and Vanderburgh County as well. Thousands of trees were uprooted, snapped, or otherwise damaged. The trees were up to five feet in diameter. Hundreds of power poles were snapped or blown over. Damage to one farmstead was estimated at over two million dollars. The specific types of damage included a mobile home that was blown off its support piers, roofing that was blown off some structures, and window and siding damage to many others. There was structural damage to some houses, barns, and a warehouse. One grain silo was destroyed. Most of the structural damage was caused by falling trees. The power company servicing the region reported 50,000 customers without power a couple hours after the storm. Numerous roads were blocked by downed trees and power lines. Numerous wires were blown down or hanging low, and telephone service was not reliable. The total length of the damage area across Vanderburgh, Warrick, and extreme western Spencer Counties was 35 miles. The average width of the damage area was three miles, with a maximum width of four miles.

Thunderstorm Wind in SPENCER, INDIANA
From 09-MAY-14 15:58:00 to 09-MAY-14 16:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: GENTRYVILLE
Magnitude: 70.00 EG
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

The Gentryville area of western Spencer County was at the tail end of a very intense macroburst. The macroburst began on the west side of Evansville and crossed all of Warrick County. Damage in Spencer County was relatively minor. Trees and power lines were damaged. The total length of the macroburst was 35 miles.

Thunderstorm Wind in SPENCER, INDIANA
From 09-MAY-14 16:05:00 to 09-MAY-14 16:14:00 (CST-6)
Location: BUFFALOVILLE
Magnitude: 83.00 EG
Property damage: 25.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

Very high straight-line winds estimated near 95 mph carved a west to east corridor of damage through northern Spencer County. This corridor passed through the Santa Claus area. The affected area was very rural. Metal roofing was peeled off a portion of a large barn. Numerous large trees were uprooted and snapped.

Hail in WARRICK, INDIANA
From 09-MAY-14 16:10:00 to 09-MAY-14 16:10:00 (CST-6)
Location: TENNYSON
Magnitude: 1.50 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Hail in VANDERBURGH, INDIANA
From 09-MAY-14 15:30:00 to 09-MAY-14 15:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: EVANSVILLE
Magnitude: 0.88 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Hail in WARRICK, INDIANA
From 09-MAY-14 15:55:00 to 09-MAY-14 15:55:00 (CST-6)
Location: BOONVILLE
Magnitude: 1.25 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Thunderstorm Wind in POSEY, INDIANA
From 09-MAY-14 15:15:00 to 09-MAY-14 15:15:00 (CST-6)
Location: BUFKIN
Magnitude: 65.00 EG
Property damage: 20.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

A house roof was damaged. There was considerable loss of shingles and minor damage to the decking. A patio roof was blown away. Tree limbs were blown down.