During the overnight hours and into the morning on January 3rd, a strong system moved across central Kentucky, bringing isolated damaging wind gusts and widespread heavy rainfall. The system was associated with a negatively-tilted upper-level trough which moved from the Four Corners region on January 2nd to the upper Midwest by January 4th. A surface cyclone transited in a similar fashion to the upper trough, with a surface warm front developing across central Indiana during the evening hours of January 2nd. This setup positioned central Kentucky in the broad warm sector of the cyclone, allowing for ample low-level temperature and moisture advection. As a result, precipitable water approached all-time maximum values for early January, and temperatures overnight January 3rd were unseasonably warm in the low-to-mid 60s. This provided a modest amount of instability, with between 200-500 J/kg MUCAPE across southern Kentucky. With a 65 knot 850 mb jet overhead, strong vertical wind shear was present, and this shear combined with the modest amounts of instability to promote the development of widespread showers and thunderstorms. While a couple storms were strong enough to produce isolated damaging wind gusts, overall SBCAPE was limited, preventing more widespread severe weather. On the other hand, the steady stream of moisture allowed for training convection which created widespread areas of heavy rainfall, with many areas receiving over 2 inches of rain. Where the heaviest rain fell, flash flooding occurred, leading to many road closures and several water rescues across the area.

Flash Flood in HARDIN, KENTUCKY
From 03-JAN-23 05:20:00 to 03-JAN-23 07:20:00 (EST-5)
Location: GAITHERS
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

Portions of Gaither Station Road became impassable due to flooding.

Flash Flood in JEFFERSON, KENTUCKY
From 03-JAN-23 07:15:00 to 03-JAN-23 09:15:00 (EST-5)
Location: SMYRNA
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

Water was observed over the roadway on portions of Vaughn Mill Road near Pennsylvania Run Road. The water depth was as high as car doors at its deepest.

Flash Flood in JEFFERSON, KENTUCKY
From 03-JAN-23 07:15:00 to 03-JAN-23 09:15:00 (EST-5)
Location: HIGHVIEW
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

Water was observed over the roadway at the 6300 block of Fegenbush Lane.

Flash Flood in HARDIN, KENTUCKY
From 03-JAN-23 05:20:00 to 03-JAN-23 07:20:00 (EST-5)
Location: TUNNEL HILL
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

Water was observed over the roadway on Valley Creek Road.

Flash Flood in HARRISON, KENTUCKY
From 03-JAN-23 08:29:00 to 03-JAN-23 10:29:00 (EST-5)
Location: SYLVANDELL
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

Water was observed over roadways in multiple locations across Harrison County.

Thunderstorm Wind in BUTLER, KENTUCKY
From 03-JAN-23 02:00:00 to 03-JAN-23 02:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: LEETOWN
Magnitude: 51.00 EG
Reported by: 911 Call Center

Trees were blown down on Sandy Creek Road.

Flash Flood in OHIO, KENTUCKY
From 03-JAN-23 05:00:00 to 03-JAN-23 07:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: TAYLOR MINES
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

Water observed over the roadway at the intersection of Apple House Road and Rochester Road.

Flash Flood in FAYETTE, KENTUCKY
From 03-JAN-23 08:30:00 to 03-JAN-23 10:30:00 (EST-5)
Location: VILEY
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Water was observed over roadways in several locations in Lexington.

Thunderstorm Wind in GRAYSON, KENTUCKY
From 03-JAN-23 02:05:00 to 03-JAN-23 02:05:00 (CST-6)
Location: LEITCHFIELD
Magnitude: 51.00 EG
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue

Trees were knocked down on State Route 259 near McClure Cemetery Road.

Flash Flood in OHIO, KENTUCKY
From 03-JAN-23 05:00:00 to 03-JAN-23 07:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: BEAVER DAM
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

Water was reported over the roadway at the intersection of Main Street and 1st Street in Beaver Dam.

Flash Flood in BOURBON, KENTUCKY
From 03-JAN-23 08:31:00 to 03-JAN-23 10:31:00 (EST-5)
Location: ELIZABETH STATION
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Three water rescues occurred in Bourbon County, including one school bus.

Thunderstorm Wind in LARUE, KENTUCKY
From 03-JAN-23 04:20:00 to 03-JAN-23 04:20:00 (EST-5)
Location: BARREN RUN
Magnitude: 51.00 EG
Reported by: Department of Highways

Trees were knocked over on Jenkins Road.

Flash Flood in BRECKINRIDGE, KENTUCKY
From 03-JAN-23 05:20:00 to 03-JAN-23 07:20:00 (CST-6)
Location: FAIRFIELD
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

Water was observed over the roadway on Hudson Fairfield Road.

Flash Flood in SPENCER, KENTUCKY
From 03-JAN-23 08:40:00 to 03-JAN-23 10:40:00 (EST-5)
Location: ELK CREEK
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue

Multiple water rescues occurred across Spencer County.

Thunderstorm Wind in LARUE, KENTUCKY
From 03-JAN-23 04:25:00 to 03-JAN-23 04:25:00 (EST-5)
Location: MATHERS MILL
Magnitude: 51.00 EG
Reported by: Department of Highways

Trees were reported down on State Route 84 near the intersection with State Route 357.

Flash Flood in BRECKINRIDGE, KENTUCKY
From 03-JAN-23 05:20:00 to 03-JAN-23 07:20:00 (CST-6)
Location: HIGH PLAINS
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

Six water rescues occurred in eastern Breckinridge County.

Flash Flood in JEFFERSON, KENTUCKY
From 03-JAN-23 09:40:00 to 03-JAN-23 11:40:00 (EST-5)
Location: BECKLEY
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

The Parklands at Floyds Fork were closed due to flooding, with water over roadways in multiple locations across the park.

Flash Flood in GRAYSON, KENTUCKY
From 03-JAN-23 02:50:00 to 03-JAN-23 04:50:00 (CST-6)
Location: MEREDITH
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue

Highway 259 near the Bear Creek bridge is flooded and the bridge is impassable.

Flash Flood in WARREN, KENTUCKY
From 03-JAN-23 05:30:00 to 03-JAN-23 07:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: BROWNING
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Employee

There were several areas of water over the roadway along Galloways Mill Road.

Flash Flood in BULLITT, KENTUCKY
From 03-JAN-23 07:00:00 to 03-JAN-23 10:21:00 (EST-5)
Location: MT WASHINGTON
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Multiple water rescues occurred across Bullitt County.

Flash Flood in GRAYSON, KENTUCKY
From 03-JAN-23 02:50:00 to 03-JAN-23 04:50:00 (CST-6)
Location: SKAGGSTOWN
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue

Flooding was observed on Jesse Skaggs Road.

Flash Flood in BUTLER, KENTUCKY
From 03-JAN-23 05:40:00 to 03-JAN-23 07:40:00 (CST-6)
Location: BOSTON
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

Water was observed over the roadway along Sandy Creek Road.

Thunderstorm Wind in LARUE, KENTUCKY
From 03-JAN-23 07:44:00 to 03-JAN-23 07:44:00 (EST-5)
Location: MATHERS MILL
Magnitude: 51.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

Trees were blown down on Sonora Road and Tanner Road.

Flash Flood in GRAYSON, KENTUCKY
From 03-JAN-23 04:00:00 to 03-JAN-23 06:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: PEONIA
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

Water was flowing over the roadway at the intersection of State Route 259 and Taylor Fork Road.

Flash Flood in MEADE, KENTUCKY
From 03-JAN-23 06:40:00 to 03-JAN-23 08:40:00 (EST-5)
Location: MULDRAUGH
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

Water was observed over the roadway on Thompson Lane North.

Flash Flood in GRAYSON, KENTUCKY
From 03-JAN-23 04:00:00 to 03-JAN-23 06:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: SKAGGSTOWN
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

Water was observed over the roadway at the intersection of Jesse Skaggs Road and Hickory Flats Road.

Flash Flood in MEADE, KENTUCKY
From 03-JAN-23 06:40:00 to 03-JAN-23 08:40:00 (EST-5)
Location: MULDRAUGH
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Water was observed over the roadway at the intersection of Shumate Street and Creekbed Street in Muldraugh.

Flash Flood in NELSON, KENTUCKY
From 03-JAN-23 05:15:00 to 03-JAN-23 07:15:00 (EST-5)
Location: NELSONVILLE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

A water rescue occurred on Patton Road.

Flash Flood in BULLITT, KENTUCKY
From 03-JAN-23 07:00:00 to 03-JAN-23 09:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: HUBERS
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

Portions of Clear Run Road were closed due to water over the roadway.

Flash Flood in NELSON, KENTUCKY
From 03-JAN-23 05:15:00 to 03-JAN-23 07:15:00 (EST-5)
Location: BLOOMFIELD
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

A water rescue occurred on Springfield Road in Bloomfield.

Flash Flood in BULLITT, KENTUCKY
From 03-JAN-23 07:00:00 to 03-JAN-23 09:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: MT WASHINGTON
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

Water was observed over the roadway at Greenbriar Road and Wales Run Road.

Flash Flood in HARDIN, KENTUCKY
From 03-JAN-23 05:20:00 to 03-JAN-23 07:20:00 (EST-5)
Location: EASTVIEW
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

Water observed over the roadway on the Western Kentucky Parkway between mile markers 122 and 127.

Flash Flood in BULLITT, KENTUCKY
From 03-JAN-23 07:00:00 to 03-JAN-23 09:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: BROOKS
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

Portions of Hillview Boulevard were closed due to water over the roadway.