An outbreak of supercells with large hail and isolated tornadoes affected western Kentucky during the afternoon and early evening. The initial round of thunderstorms occurred early in the afternoon over northwest Kentucky. These storms, which produced a major hailstorm and flash flood in the Owensboro area, were triggered by a weak upper-level low over northern Illinois. This initial round of thunderstorms produced an outflow of cooler air that settled south into southwest Kentucky. By mid-afternoon, isolated supercells with tornadoes fired up along the leading edge of cooler air. Strong westerly upper-level winds associated with the upper-level low over Illinois provided ample wind shear for supercells. A southwest wind flow of moist and unstable air in the lower levels of the atmosphere provided fuel for the storms. Low-level winds up to around 40 knots enhanced low-level wind shear, providing a favorable environment for tornadoes. The supercells lingered well into the evening.

Tornado in GRAVES, KENTUCKY
From 10-MAY-16 13:44:00 to 10-MAY-16 14:16:00 (CST-6)
Location: DUBLIN
Tornado F-scale: EF3
Property damage: 3.50M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

Dozens of structures were destroyed, including mobile homes, businesses, barns, and garages. Several homes received major damage or were destroyed. Many dozens of other homes and businesses received minor damage, mainly loss of shingles and fascia. Several dozen cars were damaged or destroyed. Some cars were tossed around and lofted atop other cars or structures. Thousands of trees were snapped, uprooted, or broken. The tornado was captured on video or camera by numerous individuals. The tornado appeared to have more than one vortex at several different points along its path. The tornado moved through some residential and commercial neighborhoods just outside the northern city limits of Mayfield. A car dealership on U.S. Highway 45 right near the city limit received extensive damage, including the loss of almost all 40 vehicles on the lot as well as a nearby storage building. The peak wind speed of 140 mph was assigned at this car lot. A flea market type of business on Highway 121 just outside Mayfield was destroyed by winds near 135 mph. Once the tornado reached the northern edge of Mayfield, it tracked almost parallel to the Purchase Parkway (future Interstate 69). The center of the tornado stayed about one-half mile north of the parkway, crossing Kentucky Highways 131 and 301 prior to reaching the Marshall County line. The average path width was approximately 300 yards. Peak wind speeds were estimated near 140 mph. The tornado continued into Marshall County very close to where the parkway crosses the county line.

Tornado in MARSHALL, KENTUCKY
From 10-MAY-16 14:16:00 to 10-MAY-16 14:24:00 (CST-6)
Location: HARVY
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

The tornado entered Marshall County from Graves County less than a mile south of where the Purchase Parkway crosses the county line. The tornado remained along the south side of the Purchase Parkway (future Interstate 69) until it lifted about four miles west-southwest of downtown Benton. The tornado was considerably weaker in the Marshall County portion of its track than in Graves County, where the tornado produced EF-3 damage. In Marshall County, a wooden barn was destroyed, and a single-wide mobile home was rolled over. However, most of the damage consisted of trees uprooted and snapped by winds between 90 and 100 mph.

Hail in WEBSTER, KENTUCKY
From 10-MAY-16 15:20:00 to 10-MAY-16 15:20:00 (CST-6)
Location: PROVIDENCE
Magnitude: 1.50 
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Hail in HOPKINS, KENTUCKY
From 10-MAY-16 15:50:00 to 10-MAY-16 16:05:00 (CST-6)
Location: HANSON
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

A swath of large hail occurred in association with a supercell across northeast Hopkins County. A couple miles northeast of Hanson, hailstones up to the size of golf balls produced depressions in freshly plowed farm fields. Cars were dented, and shingles were damaged. The ground was completely covered by hail following the storm. The large hail continued eastward to the Mclean County line.

Tornado in CHRISTIAN, KENTUCKY
From 10-MAY-16 16:25:00 to 10-MAY-16 16:28:00 (CST-6)
Location: APEX
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

The tornado touched down near Kentucky Highway 813, where a couple of barns sustained moderate to heavy damage. A few trees were down. Several emergency management officials witnessed the tornado, which was captured on camera. Peak winds in this portion of the path were estimated near 90 mph. The tornado continued moving east-northeast across woods and fields into Muhlenberg County.

Hail in MUHLENBERG, KENTUCKY
From 10-MAY-16 16:40:00 to 10-MAY-16 16:49:00 (CST-6)
Location: GREENVILLE
Magnitude: 2.75 
Property damage: 100.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A swath of very large hail fell across central Muhlenberg County. Baseball-size hail was reported about a mile south of Greenville. The large hail swath continued eastward to Beech Creek, where hail was the size of golf balls. This large hail swath was associated with the same supercell thunderstorm that spawned the tornado in southwest Muhlenberg County.

Hail in TRIGG, KENTUCKY
From 10-MAY-16 18:00:00 to 10-MAY-16 18:07:00 (CST-6)
Location: CERULEAN
Magnitude: 2.50 
Property damage: 80.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Hail up to the size of tennis balls fell for about seven minutes. This supercell thunderstorm also spawned a weak tornado in the Cerulean area.

Hail in DAVIESS, KENTUCKY
From 10-MAY-16 12:28:00 to 10-MAY-16 12:28:00 (CST-6)
Location: WHITESVILLE
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Hail in HOPKINS, KENTUCKY
From 10-MAY-16 15:42:00 to 10-MAY-16 15:42:00 (CST-6)
Location: HANSON
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Hail in CHRISTIAN, KENTUCKY
From 10-MAY-16 16:03:00 to 10-MAY-16 16:03:00 (CST-6)
Location: CROFTON
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Hail in CRITTENDEN, KENTUCKY
From 10-MAY-16 17:28:00 to 10-MAY-16 17:28:00 (CST-6)
Location: TOLU
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Hail in TRIGG, KENTUCKY
From 10-MAY-16 17:24:00 to 10-MAY-16 17:24:00 (CST-6)
Location: CADIZ
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Hail in CALDWELL, KENTUCKY
From 10-MAY-16 17:35:00 to 10-MAY-16 17:35:00 (CST-6)
Location: COBB
Magnitude: 1.50 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Hail in CALDWELL, KENTUCKY
From 10-MAY-16 17:33:00 to 10-MAY-16 17:33:00 (CST-6)
Location: FARMERSVILLE
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Hail in CHRISTIAN, KENTUCKY
From 10-MAY-16 19:37:00 to 10-MAY-16 19:41:00 (CST-6)
Location: HOPKINSVILLE
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A thunderstorm intensified as it moved over Hopkinsville. Hailstones were up to the size of quarters, mainly on the northeast side of the city.

Hail in MUHLENBERG, KENTUCKY
From 10-MAY-16 16:30:00 to 10-MAY-16 16:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: BANCROFT
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Funnel Cloud in LYON, KENTUCKY
From 10-MAY-16 15:14:00 to 10-MAY-16 15:14:00 (CST-6)
Location: LAMASCO
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A trained spotter observed a funnel cloud from Interstate 24 near the 54 mile marker.

Funnel Cloud in HOPKINS, KENTUCKY
From 10-MAY-16 16:04:00 to 10-MAY-16 16:10:00 (CST-6)
Location: HANSON
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

The funnel cloud was observed by a trained spotter looking east from the Hanson exit on Interstate 69.

Funnel Cloud in CALDWELL, KENTUCKY
From 10-MAY-16 17:41:00 to 10-MAY-16 17:41:00 (CST-6)
Location: COBB
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Funnel Cloud in CHRISTIAN, KENTUCKY
From 10-MAY-16 16:01:00 to 10-MAY-16 16:01:00 (CST-6)
Location: CROFTON
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

The funnel cloud eventually touched down just before crossing into Muhlenberg County.

Tornado in UNION, KENTUCKY
From 10-MAY-16 17:06:00 to 10-MAY-16 17:14:00 (CST-6)
Location: SPRING GROVE
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 25.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

Numerous trees were snapped or uprooted in this tornado, which ended a couple miles west of Morganfield. The tornado was witnessed by a trained spotter. Peak winds were estimated near 90 mph.

Hail in MARSHALL, KENTUCKY
From 10-MAY-16 14:25:00 to 10-MAY-16 14:25:00 (CST-6)
Location: BENTON
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Tornado in MUHLENBERG, KENTUCKY
From 10-MAY-16 16:28:00 to 10-MAY-16 16:35:00 (CST-6)
Location: BANCROFT
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 125.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

The tornado entered Muhlenberg County from Christian County along Highway 189, where downed trees blocked the road along a stretch one-half mile long. A house near the county line sustained minor damage. Utility lines and trees were brought down across Highway 189. A few barns were destroyed. A couple dozen trees were down. A home sustained considerable damage to the roof, including a few rafters that were blown away. The back deck of the home was destroyed. Another home near the end of the damage path sustained minor roof damage. The tornado was witnessed by a number of people, including at least two witnesses who videotaped it. Peak winds were estimated near 105 mph.

Tornado in TRIGG, KENTUCKY
From 10-MAY-16 18:17:00 to 10-MAY-16 18:21:00 (CST-6)
Location: BUFFALO
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 20.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

This tornado destroyed an older wooden barn along Highway 126 just north of Highway 128. A newer wooden barn was heavily damaged near the end of the damage path. Since the path was across open fields, there was little other evidence of damage. The tornado was witnessed by several people, including a state trooper and a trained spotter. The tornado lifted less than a mile from the Christian County line. Peak winds were estimated near 80 mph.

Tornado in CHRISTIAN, KENTUCKY
From 10-MAY-16 18:45:00 to 10-MAY-16 18:45:00 (CST-6)
Location: PLEASANT GREEN HILL
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A trained spotter sighted a tornado on the west side of U.S. Highway 41 near Lake Blythe. The touchdown appeared to be brief. This tornado was spawned from the same supercell that produced a brief tornado in western Christian County north of Highway 68. Maximum winds were estimated near 70 mph.

Tornado in CHRISTIAN, KENTUCKY
From 10-MAY-16 18:29:00 to 10-MAY-16 18:29:00 (CST-6)
Location: SINKING FORK
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A tornado was witnessed and photographed north of U.S. Highway 68 in western Christian County. The touchdown appeared to be brief. The affected area was primarily fields, and little if any damage was reported. This tornado was spawned from the same supercell that produced a weak tornado near Cerulean in Trigg County. The maximum winds were estimated near 60 mph.

Tornado in LYON, KENTUCKY
From 10-MAY-16 14:55:00 to 10-MAY-16 14:55:00 (CST-6)
Location: MONT
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A very weak, short-lived tornado crossed the Woodlands Trace National Scenic Byway. A few small tree limbs were broken in this wooded area of the Land-Between-The-Lakes National Recreation Area. Peak winds were estimated near 65 mph.

Hail in DAVIESS, KENTUCKY
From 10-MAY-16 12:03:00 to 10-MAY-16 12:11:00 (CST-6)
Location: OWENSBORO
Magnitude: 2.00 
Property damage: 1.00M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A major hailstorm continued east-northeast across the Owensboro area from western Daviess County. The largest hail fell on the south and southwest sides of the city. Hailstones up to the size of hen eggs fell a couple miles southwest of downtown Owensboro. In Owensboro, there was a report of golf-ball size hail. On the east side of the city, quarter-size hail fell. Many homes and vehicles sustained minor damage.

Hail in DAVIESS, KENTUCKY
From 10-MAY-16 11:50:00 to 10-MAY-16 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: WEST LOUISVILLE
Magnitude: 2.00 
Property damage: 250.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

A severe thunderstorm produced a wide swath of very large hail across western Daviess County. Hailstones the size of hen eggs were reported at West Louisville. The hail swath extended as far north as Sorgho, where half-dollar size hail fell. On the south side of the swath, golf ball size hail was reported on Highway 81 near Panther.

Thunderstorm Wind in DAVIESS, KENTUCKY
From 10-MAY-16 12:00:00 to 10-MAY-16 12:05:00 (CST-6)
Location: OWENSBORO
Magnitude: 56.00 EG
Property damage: 6.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A trained spotter one mile west of Owensboro reported lots of pea-sized hail along with estimated wind gusts of 60 mph. Trees were down on homes in at least two locations in the city.

Thunderstorm Wind in DAVIESS, KENTUCKY
From 10-MAY-16 12:28:00 to 10-MAY-16 12:28:00 (CST-6)
Location: WHITESVILLE
Magnitude: 56.00 EG
Property damage: 7.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

A large tree fell across Kentucky 54. The porch of a home was struck.

Flash Flood in DAVIESS, KENTUCKY
From 10-MAY-16 12:30:00 to 10-MAY-16 16:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: OWENSBORO
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 100.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Numerous roads in the city of Owensboro were impassable. Numerous cars were stranded in floodwaters. Storm drains became clogged with hail, which aggravated the flash flooding. At an Owensboro shopping mall, a car was submerged up to the driver's side window. City police advised people to stay off the roads. Some roads were flooded that do not normally flood. At the Owensboro airport, about one inch of rain fell in 25 minutes, and about 1.5 inches fell in an hour. The rainfall total at the Owensboro airport for May 10th was 2.46 inches.

Thunderstorm Wind in LIVINGSTON, KENTUCKY
From 10-MAY-16 14:05:00 to 10-MAY-16 14:05:00 (CST-6)
Location: LAKE CITY
Magnitude: 56.00 EG
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Many trees were blown down. There was damage to cell phone towers. The damage was near mile marker 34 on Interstate 24.