A warm, muggy and unstable air mass was in place across eastern Kentucky on July 18th as a wavering front remained northwest of the Lower Ohio River. The first storm cluster of the day fired over central Kentucky during the early afternoon hours before moving into eastern Kentucky. This initial round of storms impacted areas primarily north of the Hal Rogers Parkway during the late afternoon and early evening. The combination of dry air in the mid-levels and sufficient shear led to a a couple of strong bowing line segments with estimated peak wind gusts in the 60 to 70 mph range. The most numerous instances of wind damage, primarily downed trees and power lines, were observed in Estill, Lee, Montgomery and Bath counties. A gust of 61 mph was recorded at the RAWS site close to the Jackson National Weather Service Office. A second larger convective system dropped into the the Commonwealth during the mid-afternoon but then decayed as it moved onto the Cumberland Plateau. However, some cells with this system will still strong enough to bring a few instances of severe wind damage to portions of southcentral Kentucky.

Thunderstorm Wind in BREATHITT, KENTUCKY
From 18-JUL-23 16:03:00 to 18-JUL-23 16:08:00 (EST-5)
Location: (JKL)CARROLL ARPT JA
Magnitude: 56.00 EG
Reported by: NWS Employee

NWS employees at WFO Jackson estimated wind gusts of 60 to 70 mph at times for an approximately 5 minute period from 5:03 PM to 5:08 PM.

Thunderstorm Wind in BREATHITT, KENTUCKY
From 18-JUL-23 16:08:00 to 18-JUL-23 16:08:00 (EST-5)
Location: (JKL)CARROLL ARPT JA
Magnitude: 53.00 MG
Reported by: Mesonet

The JCAK2 Jackson RAWS station reported a peak wind gust of 61 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind in MAGOFFIN, KENTUCKY
From 18-JUL-23 16:16:00 to 18-JUL-23 16:16:00 (EST-5)
Location: ROYALTON
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Crop damage: 1.00K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

A tree was blown down along SE Licking River Road near the intersection with Higgins Branch Road just south of Royalton.

Thunderstorm Wind in ROCKCASTLE, KENTUCKY
From 18-JUL-23 18:56:00 to 18-JUL-23 18:56:00 (EST-5)
Location: GUM SULPHUR
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 0.60K
Crop damage: 1.00K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

A tree was blown down onto a fence along Gum Sulphur Road in the vicinity of Broadhead Road.

Thunderstorm Wind in LAUREL, KENTUCKY
From 18-JUL-23 19:36:00 to 18-JUL-23 19:36:00 (EST-5)
Location: EAST BERNSTADT
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 1.00K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

A tree and powerlines were blown down in East Bernstadt at KY-3434 near the intersection of Noelle Road.

Thunderstorm Wind in JACKSON, KENTUCKY
From 18-JUL-23 19:52:00 to 18-JUL-23 19:52:00 (EST-5)
Location: NEW ZION
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Crop damage: 1.00K
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue

Tyner Fire Department reported a tree blown down in the Daniel Boone National Forecast blocking Turkey Foot Road near the intersection with KY-587. The fire department removed the tree.

Thunderstorm Wind in LAUREL, KENTUCKY
From 18-JUL-23 19:38:00 to 18-JUL-23 19:38:00 (EST-5)
Location: (LOZ)MCGEE FLD LONDO
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 1.00K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

A tree was blown down onto powerlines near the 160 Southland Drive on the south side of the city of London.

Thunderstorm Wind in MORGAN, KENTUCKY
From 18-JUL-23 15:47:00 to 18-JUL-23 15:47:00 (EST-5)
Location: MURPHY FORK
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Crop damage: 1.00K
Reported by: NWS Employee

A tree was blown down about a mile up Murphy Fork Road from the intersection with KY-1010 near Hazel Green.

Thunderstorm Wind in JACKSON, KENTUCKY
From 18-JUL-23 14:49:00 to 18-JUL-23 14:49:00 (EST-5)
Location: SANDGAP
Magnitude: 55.00 EG
Crop damage: 3.00K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

Multiple trees were blown down along KY-2004 around the 400 and 600 blocks near the community of Sand Gap.

Thunderstorm Wind in MONTGOMERY, KENTUCKY
From 18-JUL-23 14:53:00 to 18-JUL-23 14:53:00 (EST-5)
Location: STOOPS
Magnitude: 55.00 EG
Property damage: 15.00K
Crop damage: 5.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Numerous trees were blown down along US-60 from 4670 US-60 to the Bath County Line. Portions of the high way were closed for tree removal. A tree also fell on a house in this area, though no injuries were reported.

Thunderstorm Wind in ESTILL, KENTUCKY
From 18-JUL-23 14:57:00 to 18-JUL-23 14:57:00 (EST-5)
Location: WINSTON
Magnitude: 51.00 EG
Property damage: 1.00K
Reported by: Social Media

Power lines were reportedly blown down along Richmond Rd (KY-52) near the Madison-Estill county line.

Thunderstorm Wind in ESTILL, KENTUCKY
From 18-JUL-23 15:00:00 to 18-JUL-23 15:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: CALLOWAY CROSSING
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Crop damage: 1.00K
Reported by: Social Media

A tree was reportedly blown down in the backyard or a residence near West Irvine.

Thunderstorm Wind in ESTILL, KENTUCKY
From 18-JUL-23 15:03:00 to 18-JUL-23 15:03:00 (EST-5)
Location: NORTH IRVINE
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Crop damage: 1.00K
Reported by: Public

A tree was blown down at the entrance of Mountain Crest Apartments north of Irvine.

Thunderstorm Wind in BATH, KENTUCKY
From 18-JUL-23 14:54:00 to 18-JUL-23 15:05:00 (EST-5)
Location: REYNOLDSVILLE
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Crop damage: 10.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

The Bath County emergency manager reported numerous tree blown down in the county.

Thunderstorm Wind in ESTILL, KENTUCKY
From 18-JUL-23 15:10:00 to 18-JUL-23 15:10:00 (EST-5)
Location: PITTS
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.25K
Reported by: Social Media

A snapped tree limb reportedly fell onto a power line on Tipton Ridge.

Thunderstorm Wind in JACKSON, KENTUCKY
From 18-JUL-23 15:04:00 to 18-JUL-23 15:04:00 (EST-5)
Location: ARVEL
Magnitude: 53.00 EG
Crop damage: 1.00K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

A tree was blown down around the 4000 block of KY-1209 near the Jackson-Estill county line.

Thunderstorm Wind in ROWAN, KENTUCKY
From 18-JUL-23 15:20:00 to 18-JUL-23 15:20:00 (EST-5)
Location: FARMERS
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 2.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Two vehicles were trapped by fallen trees and a power line was blown down on Lower Licking Road. No injuries were reported.

Thunderstorm Wind in LEE, KENTUCKY
From 18-JUL-23 15:23:00 to 18-JUL-23 15:23:00 (EST-5)
Location: CONGLETON
Magnitude: 65.00 EG
Crop damage: 5.00K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

Multiple trees were blown down along KY-587 and KY-11 south of the city of Beattyville.

Thunderstorm Wind in WOLFE, KENTUCKY
From 18-JUL-23 15:36:00 to 18-JUL-23 15:36:00 (EST-5)
Location: BETHANY
Magnitude: 51.00 EG
Crop damage: 0.25K
Reported by: Social Media

A large tree branch was blown down on Rose Bend Road near the community of Bethany.

Thunderstorm Wind in WOLFE, KENTUCKY
From 18-JUL-23 15:36:00 to 18-JUL-23 15:36:00 (EST-5)
Location: BETHANY
Magnitude: 51.00 EG
Crop damage: 1.00K
Reported by: Social Media

A large tree reportedly fell and blocked Tom Rose Branch Road near the community of Bethany.

Thunderstorm Wind in WOLFE, KENTUCKY
From 18-JUL-23 15:38:00 to 18-JUL-23 15:38:00 (EST-5)
Location: HOLLONVILLE
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 0.10K
Reported by: Social Media

Two picnic tables were flipped over and moved about 30 feet at the intersection of Terrill Fork and Holly roads.

Thunderstorm Wind in BREATHITT, KENTUCKY
From 18-JUL-23 15:50:00 to 18-JUL-23 15:50:00 (EST-5)
Location: NOCTOR
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Crop damage: 3.00K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

Multiple trees were blown down on KY-1812 atop Frozen Hill.