A narrow line of showers and thunderstorms raced east-northeast across western Kentucky and southwest Indiana, producing pockets of damaging wind and a brief tornado. A deepening low pressure system tracked northeast from Arkansas across the St. Louis area to Indiana. To the east of this low, a warm front lifted north across the lower Ohio Valley in the morning, followed by unseasonably warm and moist air. A trailing cold front then moved east, triggering a narrow line of showers and thunderstorms along the Mississippi River by midday. This line of convection became sporadically severe as it raced across western Kentucky in the afternoon. Heavy rainfall caused some isolated flooding of creeks and roads.

Thunderstorm Wind in MCCRACKEN, KENTUCKY
From 31-DEC-18 11:47:00 to 31-DEC-18 11:48:00 (CST-6)
Location: CECIL
Magnitude: 70.00 EG
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A damage survey conducted by the National Weather Service determined that a microburst affected a small area off Interstate 24, just east of exit 3. The damage started four miles west-northwest of downtown Paducah, just east of Interstate 24 on Highway 305. Peak winds of up to 80 mph stripped metal siding or roofing from at least three businesses and one home. An hvac unit atop a large big-box retail store was dislodged. Metal fencing was blown off a business. Several trees or tree limbs were broken. Two power poles were blown over. The damage ended just north of the intersection of Highways 305 and 1420, about 3.5 miles northwest of downtown Paducah. Most of the damage was along and north of Highway 305 and east of I-24.

Thunderstorm Wind in GRAVES, KENTUCKY
From 31-DEC-18 11:52:00 to 31-DEC-18 11:54:00 (CST-6)
Location: BOAZ
Magnitude: 65.00 EG
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A damage survey conducted by the National Weather Service determined straight-line winds up to 75 mph occurred in the Boaz area. There was significant damage to a barn on Kentucky Highway 994 across from the North Graves Fire Department. At least two outbuildings were damaged, and a detached garage was destroyed. Several trees or tree limbs were broken.

Thunderstorm Wind in CALLOWAY, KENTUCKY
From 31-DEC-18 12:08:00 to 31-DEC-18 12:12:00 (CST-6)
Location: MURRAY
Magnitude: 56.00 EG
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Downed trees were reported in Murray and on the north side of Calloway County. A tree blocked Highway 1824 near Almo. Scattered power outages were reported in Murray and the north side of the county. A wind gust to 59 mph was measured by the automated weather observing system at the Murray airport.

Thunderstorm Wind in TRIGG, KENTUCKY
From 31-DEC-18 12:38:00 to 31-DEC-18 12:45:00 (CST-6)
Location: CADIZ
Magnitude: 56.00 EG
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A number of trees were blown down, causing power outages.

Thunderstorm Wind in CHRISTIAN, KENTUCKY
From 31-DEC-18 12:45:00 to 31-DEC-18 12:45:00 (CST-6)
Location: HAWKINS
Magnitude: 70.00 MG
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A trained spotter measured a wind gust to 80 mph on Highway 91 at mile marker 15. Trees were blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind in TODD, KENTUCKY
From 31-DEC-18 13:19:00 to 31-DEC-18 13:32:00 (CST-6)
Location: ELKTON
Magnitude: 56.00 EG
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: State Official

Some trees were blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind in MUHLENBERG, KENTUCKY
From 31-DEC-18 13:20:00 to 31-DEC-18 13:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: GREENVILLE
Magnitude: 56.00 EG
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: State Official

A number of trees were blown down.

Tornado in TRIGG, KENTUCKY
From 31-DEC-18 12:35:00 to 31-DEC-18 12:36:00 (CST-6)
Location: ROCKCASTLE
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 55.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A brief EF-1 tornado touched down just offshore in Lake Barkley near Blue Water Estates. The tornado tracked eastward through part of the subdivision, damaging at least six homes. The damage was minor, consisting mostly of loss of shingles and vinyl siding. There were some broken windows and screens blown in. Three garage doors were blown inward, and one garage lost shingles. A couple of dozen trees were snapped or uprooted. There were two separate eyewitness reports of a tornado. Peak winds were estimated near 90 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind in MCLEAN, KENTUCKY
From 31-DEC-18 13:22:00 to 31-DEC-18 13:22:00 (CST-6)
Location: LIVIA
Magnitude: 74.00 EG
Property damage: 40.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

Near the intersection of U.S. Highway 431 and County Road 250, numerous trees were down. A small outbuilding was destroyed when its cinder block walls collapsed. A small wooden storage shed about 20 by 20 feet was blown about 50 feet off its foundation. Windows were blown out of a modular home, and minor damage occurred to a wall of the home. Plastic and metal pipes were blown about one-quarter mile into a field. Softwood trees were snapped 15 to 30 feet off the ground. A pine tree landed on the roof of a house, causing damage to the metal roof. A couple of farm outbuildings sustained minor damage, including a chicken house. Peak winds were estimated near 85 mph. The damage path was about one mile long and up to one-quarter mile wide. Most of the damage was along County Road 250.

Thunderstorm Wind in UNION, KENTUCKY
From 31-DEC-18 12:34:00 to 31-DEC-18 12:34:00 (CST-6)
Location: STURGIS
Magnitude: 43.00 EG
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

An old dilapidated building partially collapsed onto Highway 365 in Sturgis. The road was blocked. Peak winds were estimated near 50 mph by an emergency management official.

Thunderstorm Wind in CHRISTIAN, KENTUCKY
From 31-DEC-18 13:05:00 to 31-DEC-18 13:05:00 (CST-6)
Location: HOPKINSVILLE
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A trained spotter estimated the wind gusted to 60 mph.

Flood in CALDWELL, KENTUCKY
From 31-DEC-18 14:00:00 to 31-DEC-18 19:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: PRINCETON
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Kentucky Highway 139 South was closed due to floodwaters at the 7 to 8 mile markers. Kentucky Highway 91 North was closed at the 19 mile marker.

Flood in DAVIESS, KENTUCKY
From 31-DEC-18 14:00:00 to 31-DEC-18 19:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: BOSTON
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Kentucky Highway 762 was closed due to floodwaters near the Ohio County line.