A severe thunderstorm complex raced southward across western Kentucky during the early evening hours. Widespread wind damage occurred with this long-lived complex, which met the definition of a derecho. This convective system took shape over the Missouri/Iowa border region and then progressed south-southeast to the Tennessee Valley by late evening. A very moist and unstable air mass set the stage for this derecho. Surface dew points were near 80 degrees, with mixed-layer capes over 4000 j/kg. When the atmosphere is that unstable, wind shear does not need to be particularly strong for significant severe weather to occur. The bulk wind shear in the 0 to 6 km layer averaged 20 to 30 knots. Deep northerly wind flow averaged around 20 knots from 850 to 500 mb on the front side of a high pressure ridge.

Thunderstorm Wind in LIVINGSTON, KENTUCKY
From 28-JUN-18 18:53:00 to 28-JUN-18 19:08:00 (CST-6)
Location: SALEM
Magnitude: 65.00 EG
Property damage: 30.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

Widespread damaging winds occurred across the county. Numerous trees and power lines were down. Near Burna, several trees were uprooted on Highway 60 near the intersection of Highway 135. Seven miles east of Smithland, a damage survey conducted by NWS personnel confirmed several large trees were snapped or uprooted by winds near 75 mph. Wooden building materials were scattered across the front yard of a residence.

Thunderstorm Wind in BALLARD, KENTUCKY
From 28-JUN-18 19:10:00 to 28-JUN-18 19:25:00 (CST-6)
Location: LA CENTER
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Property damage: 40.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Widespread damaging winds occurred across much of Ballard County. Numerous large trees were blown down, resulting in widespread power outages. A tree landed on a car. Another tree landed on a house.

Thunderstorm Wind in LYON, KENTUCKY
From 28-JUN-18 19:15:00 to 28-JUN-18 19:25:00 (CST-6)
Location: EDDYVILLE
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Severe thunderstorm winds occurred over much of the county. Three state roads were closed by downed trees. A trained spotter estimated winds gusted to 60 mph at Eddyville.

Thunderstorm Wind in MARSHALL, KENTUCKY
From 28-JUN-18 19:20:00 to 28-JUN-18 19:35:00 (CST-6)
Location: CALVERT CITY
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 40.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Widespread areas of wind damage occurred across the county. Numerous trees and power lines were down. Some trees fell on power lines, causing widespread power outages. About 80 percent of the city of Benton was without power. At Sharpe, a 6-foot fence panel was blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind in GRAVES, KENTUCKY
From 28-JUN-18 19:25:00 to 28-JUN-18 19:40:00 (CST-6)
Location: KANSAS
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 40.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Scattered areas of wind damage occurred over northern parts of the county. Numerous trees and power lines were blown down. Some of the trees landed on power lines. A tree landed on a house at Melber, which is along the McCracken County line. Another large tree took down power lines and poles in Melber.

Thunderstorm Wind in CARLISLE, KENTUCKY
From 28-JUN-18 19:40:00 to 28-JUN-18 19:50:00 (CST-6)
Location: CUNNINGHAM
Magnitude: 56.00 EG
Property damage: 45.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Widespread wind damage occurred around the county. Numerous trees were blown down, including some trees on power lines. A tree fell on a house in Milburn and also in the Cunningham area on County Road 1054. U.S. Highway 62 between Cunningham and Bardwell was impassable due to downed trees on the road. A 67-year-old man was killed when he lost control of his motorcycle due to a fallen tree on Highway 121 near County Road 1031 (indirect fatality).

Thunderstorm Wind in CALLOWAY, KENTUCKY
From 28-JUN-18 19:45:00 to 28-JUN-18 19:55:00 (CST-6)
Location: MURRAY
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 25.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Scattered wind damage occurred around the county. A large maple tree was blown onto a power line on the south side of Murray. Much of the community of Hazel was without power. Some trees landed across roads, mainly south of Murray.

Thunderstorm Wind in GRAVES, KENTUCKY
From 28-JUN-18 19:45:00 to 28-JUN-18 19:45:00 (CST-6)
Location: WINGO
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

The public estimated winds gusted to 60 mph at Farmington. Tree damage was reported in Wingo.

Thunderstorm Wind in TRIGG, KENTUCKY
From 28-JUN-18 19:49:00 to 28-JUN-18 19:49:00 (CST-6)
Location: CADIZ
Magnitude: 56.00 EG
Property damage: 15.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Multiple trees were down on the north side of Cadiz, along with power lines. Widespread power outages were reported in the county.

Thunderstorm Wind in CHRISTIAN, KENTUCKY
From 28-JUN-18 20:00:00 to 28-JUN-18 20:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: HOPKINSVILLE
Magnitude: 70.00 EG
Property damage: 7.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Wind gusts to 80 mph were estimated on Highway 91 northwest of Hopkinsville. Trees were blown down, and power outages were reported.

Thunderstorm Wind in MCCRACKEN, KENTUCKY
From 28-JUN-18 19:10:00 to 28-JUN-18 19:25:00 (CST-6)
Location: PADUCAH
Magnitude: 65.00 EG
Property damage: 75.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Widespread damaging winds occurred over the county. Numerous trees and power lines were down. Some roads were blocked by downed trees and power lines, especially Highway 2187 on the south side of Paducah. The roof was partially torn off a downtown office building in Paducah, and windows were blown out. A power pole was down in Paducah. Thousands of people lost power. Some of the power outages lasted through the following day. The peak wind gust at the National Weather Service at Barkley Regional Airport was 62 mph.