A slow moving low pressure system drifted across the Ohio Valley on May 18 and 19, bringing several rounds of heavy rain to the eastern reaches of the Commonwealth. The hardest hit areas spanned from the Cumberland Valley to the Bluegrass region where widespread rainfall amounts of 3-6 inches fell over the two day period. This caused several road closures and flooding of low lying areas as points on the Red, Kentucky, and Cumberland Rivers reached minor to moderate flood stage. In Jackson County, a couple of water rescues had to be performed as motorists became trapped.
Flash flooding was confined to the afternoon and evening hours of May 18th across portions of Pulaski and Fleming Counties, while isolated severe thunderstorm winds occurred in Laurel and Jackson Counties. Additionally, a home near Somerset was hit by lightning while mudslides occurred near Bledsoe in Harlan County on U.S. Highway 421, on Kentucky Highway 1110 south of Jackson in Breathitt County, and on Proctor Road near Beattyville in Lee County due to the abundant rainfall.

Flood in ESTILL, KENTUCKY
From 19-MAY-20 09:20:00 to 19-MAY-20 22:10:00 (EST-5)
Location: PRYSE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.10K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

The Department of Highways reported water over Kentucky Highway 1182 southeast of Pitts.

Heavy Rain in LEE, KENTUCKY
From 18-MAY-20 18:30:00 to 19-MAY-20 10:45:00 (EST-5)
Location: PROCTOR
Property damage: 3.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

The Department of Highways reported a mudslide, due to previous heavy rainfall, on Proctor Road near Beattyville. This caused an extended closure of the road near the slide.

Flood in JACKSON, KENTUCKY
From 19-MAY-20 09:10:00 to 19-MAY-20 20:40:00 (EST-5)
Location: DEESE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 35.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Low lying flooding occurred south and west of McKee, resulting in two water rescues as motorists became stranded in flood waters on and just off of Kentucky Highway 89.

Thunderstorm Wind in JACKSON, KENTUCKY
From 18-MAY-20 18:12:00 to 18-MAY-20 18:12:00 (EST-5)
Location: DEESE
Magnitude: 51.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.10K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Emergency Management relayed a report of a downed tree on Kentucky Highway 89 southwest of McKee.

Heavy Rain in BREATHITT, KENTUCKY
From 18-MAY-20 18:50:00 to 19-MAY-20 10:15:00 (EST-5)
Location: GAMBILL
Property damage: 2.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet reported a mudslide, due to previous heavy rainfall, on Kentucky Highway 1110 south of Jackson and just west of Haddix. This forced a three hour closure of the highway.

Lightning in PULASKI, KENTUCKY
From 18-MAY-20 17:12:00 to 18-MAY-20 17:12:00 (EST-5)
Location: SOMERSET
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Lightning hit the side of a home on the east side of Somerset, striking a satellite dish mounted on the side of the residence. The lightning blew this satellite dish off of the side of the house, then apparently ran down to the ground and through a block retaining wall from there. The resident in the home left to take shelter earlier in the day.

Flash Flood in PULASKI, KENTUCKY
From 18-MAY-20 16:41:00 to 18-MAY-20 17:41:00 (EST-5)
Location: OAK HILL
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.10K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A trained spotter observed water of 4 to 6 inches deep flowing over the intersection of Slate Branch Road and Oak Hill Road southwest of Somerset.

Flash Flood in PULASKI, KENTUCKY
From 18-MAY-20 16:41:00 to 18-MAY-20 17:41:00 (EST-5)
Location: OAK HILL
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.10K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A trained spotter observed 4 to 6 inches of flowing water over West Bourbon Road on the southwest side of Somerset.

Heavy Rain in HARLAN, KENTUCKY
From 19-MAY-20 07:25:00 to 19-MAY-20 11:25:00 (EST-5)
Location: BLEDSOE
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet reported a mudslide near Bledsoe, due to previous heavy rainfall, on U.S. Highway 421 near the base of Pine Mountain. This caused the highway to be blocked in both directions for over six hours, while operating on one lane only for over an additional 20 hours.

Flash Flood in FLEMING, KENTUCKY
From 18-MAY-20 21:33:00 to 18-MAY-20 22:33:00 (EST-5)
Location: PLUMMERS LNDG
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.10K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Local Emergency Management reported water flowing over Kentucky Highway 32 near Plummers Landing Road.

Flash Flood in FLEMING, KENTUCKY
From 18-MAY-20 21:30:00 to 18-MAY-20 22:30:00 (EST-5)
Location: MT CARMEL
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.10K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Emergency Management reported flowing water over the highway just northeast of Mt. Carmel.

Thunderstorm Wind in LAUREL, KENTUCKY
From 18-MAY-20 15:08:00 to 18-MAY-20 15:08:00 (EST-5)
Location: BERNSTADT
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 1.50K
Crop damage: 1.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A trained spotter reported multiple trees uprooted and power lines downed on Moriah Road and Moriah Church Road northeast of Bernstadt.

Flood in JACKSON, KENTUCKY
From 19-MAY-20 09:05:00 to 19-MAY-20 20:35:00 (EST-5)
Location: GRAY HAWK
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A citizen observed low lying flooding near Gray Hawk.

Flood in JACKSON, KENTUCKY
From 19-MAY-20 09:10:00 to 19-MAY-20 20:40:00 (EST-5)
Location: MC KEE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A citizen observed flooding of low lying areas near McKee.

Flood in MONTGOMERY, KENTUCKY
From 19-MAY-20 08:25:00 to 20-MAY-20 06:45:00 (EST-5)
Location: MT STERLING
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

The county Emergency Manager reported several roads, including Main Street and Locust Street, closed due to high water. A few downtown buildings had to be evacuated.

Flood in JACKSON, KENTUCKY
From 19-MAY-20 09:05:00 to 19-MAY-20 20:35:00 (EST-5)
Location: TYNER
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Local media reported flooding of low lying and poor drainage areas near Tyner.

Flood in MONTGOMERY, KENTUCKY
From 19-MAY-20 08:30:00 to 20-MAY-20 06:10:00 (EST-5)
Location: JUDY
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.40K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

A citizen reported water over Cecil Road northwest of Judy at a low water crossing.

Flood in MONTGOMERY, KENTUCKY
From 19-MAY-20 08:30:00 to 20-MAY-20 07:05:00 (EST-5)
Location: SPENCER
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 11.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Emergency Management reported numerous instances of flooding southeast of Mount Sterling to near the Menifee County line. Spencer Creek overspilled its banks near Gatewoods Station, flowing onto one lane of Kentucky Highway 713, while Kentucky Highway 11 was impassable in spots nearing the Powell County line. Additionally, Jeffersonville experienced low lying flooding while U.S. Highway 460 was impassable near the Menifee County line.

Flood in POWELL, KENTUCKY
From 19-MAY-20 10:15:00 to 19-MAY-20 21:45:00 (EST-5)
Location: BOWEN
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.20K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

A citizen observed low lying flooding along Little North Fork Road in Bowen.