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Storm Events Database
Event Details
| Event | Thunderstorm Wind |
| Magnitude | 50 kts. |
| State | KENTUCKY |
| County/Area | FLEMING |
| WFO | JKL |
| Begin Date | 03/02/2012 18:10:00 EST-5 |
| Begin Range | 0 |
| Begin Azimuth | N |
| Begin Location | TILTON |
| Begin Lat/Lon | 38.35/-83.75 |
| End Date | 03/02/2012 18:10:00 EST-5 |
| Deaths Direct/Indirect | 0/0 (fatality details below, when available...) |
| Injuries Direct/Indirect | 0/0 |
| Property Damage | 5.00K |
| Crop Damage | 0.00K |
| Episode Narrative | During the afternoon and evening hours of March 2nd, 2012, an historic tornado outbreak occurred in eastern Kentucky. Tornadoes struck Menifee, Morgan, Bath, Wolfe, Laurel, Johnson and Martin Counties causing a combined 16 deaths in those counties. The hardest hit areas were West Liberty in Morgan county, Salyersville in Magoffin county, and East Bernstadt in Laurel county. One of the strongest tornadoes in this outbreak, rated at EF-3 with winds estimated at 140 mph, caused extensive damage in Menifee and Morgan counties. This tornado killed 2 people in Menifee county and took an additional 6 lives in Morgan county. The town of West Liberty was particularly hard hit, with every building in the downtown area suffering some degree of damage. Several homes were swept off their foundations. A second EF-3 tornado touched down in extreme southeast Wolfe County and cut a path of damage across portions of Magoffin, Johnson, and Martin Counties. This twister was at its most intense strength in Magoffin and Johnson Counties, with winds estimated at 160 mph. This tornado caused catastrophic damage in parts of Salyersville. This second tornado killed 2 people in Johnson County. A third strong tornado caused extensive damage in and near the community of East Bernstadt in Laurel County. This tornado was rated at EF-2 and caused 6 fatalities. Most of these deaths occurred when several trailer homes were picked up and destroyed by the tornado. An EF-1 tornado was also confirmed in Bath County. This tornado caused extensive damage to trees, farm buildings and residences along its track. Fortunately, no deaths or injuries occurred as a result of this tornado. The storms that occurred on March 2nd also produced very large hail. Reports were received of hailstones as big as baseballs. Extensive damage to trees and structures due to thunderstorm wind gusts also occurred. To top it all off, the heavy rain produced by the large and powerful thunderstorms lead to flash flooding in several counties where tornadoes also occurred. |
| Event Narrative | One structure in Tilton suffered roof damage due to thunderstorm wind gusts. |
All events for this episode:
| Location | County/Zone | St. | Date | Time | T.Z. | Type | Mag | Dth | Inj | PrD | CrD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Totals: | 16 | 187 | 6.801M | 0.00K | |||||||
| BINGHAMTON | BELL CO. | KY | 03/02/2012 | 13:00 | EST-5 | Flash Flood | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K | |
| PAGE | BELL CO. | KY | 03/02/2012 | 13:00 | EST-5 | Flash Flood | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K | |
| CLAY CITY | POWELL CO. | KY | 03/02/2012 | 17:20 | EST-5 | Hail | 1.25 in. | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K |
| MT CARMEL | FLEMING CO. | KY | 03/02/2012 | 17:20 | EST-5 | Thunderstorm Wind | 60 kts. EG | 0 | 0 | 20.00K | 0.00K |
| CLAY CITY | POWELL CO. | KY | 03/02/2012 | 17:20 | EST-5 | Hail | 1.25 in. | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K |
| LEVEE | MONTGOMERY CO. | KY | 03/02/2012 | 17:21 | EST-5 | Hail | 2.75 in. | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K |
| JEFFERSONVILLE | MONTGOMERY CO. | KY | 03/02/2012 | 17:25 | EST-5 | Hail | 2.75 in. | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K |
| MT STERLING | MONTGOMERY CO. | KY | 03/02/2012 | 17:28 | EST-5 | Hail | 1.00 in. | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K |
| MOREHEAD | ROWAN CO. | KY | 03/02/2012 | 17:30 | EST-5 | Thunderstorm Wind | 60 kts. EG | 0 | 0 | 15.00K | 0.00K |
| MEANS | MENIFEE CO. | KY | 03/02/2012 | 17:32 | EST-5 | Hail | 1.75 in. | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K |
| JEFFERSONVILLE | MONTGOMERY CO. | KY | 03/02/2012 | 17:35 | EST-5 | Hail | 1.25 in. | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K |
| MARIBA | MENIFEE CO. | KY | 03/02/2012 | 17:39 | EST-5 | Tornado | EF3 | 2 | 30 | 530.00K | 0.00K |
| FRENCHBURG | MENIFEE CO. | KY | 03/02/2012 | 17:40 | EST-5 | Hail | 1.75 in. | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K |
| TRIPLETT | ROWAN CO. | KY | 03/02/2012 | 17:40 | EST-5 | Thunderstorm Wind | 60 kts. EG | 0 | 0 | 15.00K | 0.00K |
| SHARPSBURG | BATH CO. | KY | 03/02/2012 | 17:40 | EST-5 | Hail | 1.75 in. | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K |
| FRENCHBURG | MENIFEE CO. | KY | 03/02/2012 | 17:41 | EST-5 | Hail | 1.75 in. | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K |
| MARSHES SIDING | MCCREARY CO. | KY | 03/02/2012 | 17:43 | EST-5 | Thunderstorm Wind | 56 kts. EG | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K |
| STEARNS | MCCREARY CO. | KY | 03/02/2012 | 17:43 | EST-5 | Thunderstorm Wind | 56 kts. EG | 0 | 0 | 15.00K | 0.00K |
| ARTVILLE | MORGAN CO. | KY | 03/02/2012 | 17:46 | EST-5 | Tornado | EF3 | 6 | 80 | 1.600M | 0.00K |
| WELLINGTON | MENIFEE CO. | KY | 03/02/2012 | 17:48 | EST-5 | Hail | 1.75 in. | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K |
| JUDY | MONTGOMERY CO. | KY | 03/02/2012 | 17:55 | EST-5 | Thunderstorm Wind | 60 kts. EG | 0 | 0 | 10.00K | 0.00K |
| MT STERLING | MONTGOMERY CO. | KY | 03/02/2012 | 17:59 | EST-5 | Thunderstorm Wind | 60 kts. EG | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K |
| MT STERLING | MONTGOMERY CO. | KY | 03/02/2012 | 17:59 | EST-5 | Hail | 1.00 in. | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K |
| WEST LIBERTY | MORGAN CO. | KY | 03/02/2012 | 18:00 | EST-5 | Hail | 2.50 in. | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K |
| OWINGSVILLE | BATH CO. | KY | 03/02/2012 | 18:08 | EST-5 | Tornado | EF1 | 0 | 0 | 35.00K | 0.00K |
| TILTON | FLEMING CO. | KY | 03/02/2012 | 18:10 | EST-5 | Thunderstorm Wind | 50 kts. EG | 0 | 0 | 5.00K | 0.00K |
| CAINS STORE | PULASKI CO. | KY | 03/02/2012 | 18:10 | EST-5 | Hail | 1.00 in. | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K |
| WEST LIBERTY | MORGAN CO. | KY | 03/02/2012 | 18:10 | EST-5 | Hail | 1.75 in. | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K |
| NOLAND | ESTILL CO. | KY | 03/02/2012 | 18:10 | EST-5 | Hail | 1.75 in. | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K |
| KEATON | JOHNSON CO. | KY | 03/02/2012 | 18:13 | EST-5 | Tornado | EF1 | 0 | 0 | 25.00K | 0.00K |
| FRAKES | BELL CO. | KY | 03/02/2012 | 18:15 | EST-5 | Hail | 1.00 in. | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K |
| MOREHEAD | ROWAN CO. | KY | 03/02/2012 | 18:21 | EST-5 | Thunderstorm Wind | 52 kts. EG | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K |
| SANDY HOOK | ELLIOTT CO. | KY | 03/02/2012 | 18:26 | EST-5 | Hail | 2.75 in. | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K |
| MIDDLESBORO | BELL CO. | KY | 03/02/2012 | 18:30 | EST-5 | Thunderstorm Wind | 50 kts. EG | 0 | 0 | 15.00K | 0.00K |
| MIDDLESBORO | BELL CO. | KY | 03/02/2012 | 18:30 | EST-5 | Hail | 1.25 in. | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K |
| DEWDROP | ELLIOTT CO. | KY | 03/02/2012 | 18:34 | EST-5 | Thunderstorm Wind | 50 kts. EG | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K |
| CAMPTON | WOLFE CO. | KY | 03/02/2012 | 18:35 | EST-5 | Hail | 3.00 in. | 0 | 0 | 264.00K | 0.00K |
| PINEVILLE | BELL CO. | KY | 03/02/2012 | 18:35 | EST-5 | Thunderstorm Wind | 50 kts. EG | 0 | 0 | 10.00K | 0.00K |
| SCIENCE HILL | PULASKI CO. | KY | 03/02/2012 | 18:40 | EST-5 | Hail | 1.75 in. | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K |
| MIRACLE | BELL CO. | KY | 03/02/2012 | 18:40 | EST-5 | Thunderstorm Wind | 60 kts. EG | 0 | 0 | 10.00K | 0.00K |
| HULEN | BELL CO. | KY | 03/02/2012 | 18:42 | EST-5 | Hail | 1.00 in. | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K |
| BLACK SNAKE | BELL CO. | KY | 03/02/2012 | 18:45 | EST-5 | Hail | 2.75 in. | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K |
| CANNEL CITY | MORGAN CO. | KY | 03/02/2012 | 18:45 | EST-5 | Hail | 1.00 in. | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K |
| PULASKI | PULASKI CO. | KY | 03/02/2012 | 18:45 | EST-5 | Hail | 1.75 in. | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K |
| BURKHART | WOLFE CO. | KY | 03/02/2012 | 18:50 | EST-5 | Tornado | EF1 | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K |
| WALLINS CREEK | HARLAN CO. | KY | 03/02/2012 | 18:50 | EST-5 | Hail | 1.00 in. | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K |
| NETTY | MAGOFFIN CO. | KY | 03/02/2012 | 18:51 | EST-5 | Hail | 2.50 in. | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K |
| CUTUNO | MAGOFFIN CO. | KY | 03/02/2012 | 18:51 | EST-5 | Tornado | EF3 | 0 | 30 | 1.800M | 0.00K |
| WALLINS CREEK | HARLAN CO. | KY | 03/02/2012 | 18:56 | EST-5 | Hail | 1.75 in. | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K |
| PONGO | ROCKCASTLE CO. | KY | 03/02/2012 | 18:57 | EST-5 | Hail | 1.00 in. | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K |
| HARLAN | HARLAN CO. | KY | 03/02/2012 | 19:00 | EST-5 | Hail | 1.75 in. | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K |
| HARLAN | HARLAN CO. | KY | 03/02/2012 | 19:00 | EST-5 | Hail | 1.00 in. | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K |
| GRAYS KNOB | HARLAN CO. | KY | 03/02/2012 | 19:00 | EST-5 | Hail | 2.00 in. | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K |
| MONTICELLO | WAYNE CO. | KY | 03/02/2012 | 19:03 | EST-5 | Thunderstorm Wind | 50 kts. EG | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K |
| OIL SPGS | JOHNSON CO. | KY | 03/02/2012 | 19:03 | EST-5 | Hail | 1.00 in. | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K |
| FERGUSON | PULASKI CO. | KY | 03/02/2012 | 19:03 | EST-5 | Funnel Cloud | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K | |
| HAZEL PATCH | LAUREL CO. | KY | 03/02/2012 | 19:04 | EST-5 | Tornado | EF2 | 6 | 40 | 815.00K | 0.00K |
| OIL SPGS | JOHNSON CO. | KY | 03/02/2012 | 19:04 | EST-5 | Hail | 1.75 in. | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K |
| PITTSBURG | LAUREL CO. | KY | 03/02/2012 | 19:05 | EST-5 | Thunderstorm Wind | 60 kts. EG | 0 | 0 | 10.00K | 0.00K |
| PUTNEY | HARLAN CO. | KY | 03/02/2012 | 19:05 | EST-5 | Thunderstorm Wind | 60 kts. EG | 0 | 0 | 5.00K | 0.00K |
| ASA | JOHNSON CO. | KY | 03/02/2012 | 19:08 | EST-5 | Tornado | EF3 | 2 | 7 | 980.00K | 0.00K |
| EAST BERNSTADT | LAUREL CO. | KY | 03/02/2012 | 19:10 | EST-5 | Thunderstorm Wind | 60 kts. EG | 0 | 0 | 50.00K | 0.00K |
| MC WHORTER | LAUREL CO. | KY | 03/02/2012 | 19:10 | EST-5 | Thunderstorm Wind | 60 kts. EG | 0 | 0 | 5.00K | 0.00K |
| PAINTSVILLE | JOHNSON CO. | KY | 03/02/2012 | 19:15 | EST-5 | Thunderstorm Wind | 60 kts. EG | 0 | 0 | 10.00K | 0.00K |
| PAINTSVILLE | JOHNSON CO. | KY | 03/02/2012 | 19:15 | EST-5 | Hail | 1.75 in. | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K |
| NOETOWN | BELL CO. | KY | 03/02/2012 | 19:15 | EST-5 | Hail | 1.00 in. | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K |
| PAINTSVILLE | JOHNSON CO. | KY | 03/02/2012 | 19:17 | EST-5 | Hail | 1.75 in. | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K |
| CHEVROLET | HARLAN CO. | KY | 03/02/2012 | 19:17 | EST-5 | Hail | 2.75 in. | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K |
| THELMA | JOHNSON CO. | KY | 03/02/2012 | 19:17 | EST-5 | Hail | 2.00 in. | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K |
| GRAYS KNOB | HARLAN CO. | KY | 03/02/2012 | 19:23 | EST-5 | Hail | 2.00 in. | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K |
| DAVISPORT | MARTIN CO. | KY | 03/02/2012 | 19:25 | EST-5 | Tornado | EF2 | 0 | 0 | 547.00K | 0.00K |
| PAINTSVILLE | JOHNSON CO. | KY | 03/02/2012 | 19:26 | EST-5 | Hail | 1.75 in. | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K |
| INEZ | MARTIN CO. | KY | 03/02/2012 | 19:38 | EST-5 | Hail | 1.00 in. | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K |
| INEZ | MARTIN CO. | KY | 03/02/2012 | 19:39 | EST-5 | Hail | 1.00 in. | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K |
| ARJAY | BELL CO. | KY | 03/02/2012 | 20:00 | EST-5 | Thunderstorm Wind | 60 kts. EG | 0 | 0 | 10.00K | 0.00K |
| FONDE | BELL CO. | KY | 03/02/2012 | 20:10 | EST-5 | Hail | 1.25 in. | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K |
| MIDDLESBORO | BELL CO. | KY | 03/02/2012 | 20:25 | EST-5 | Hail | 1.00 in. | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K |
| STACY FORK | MORGAN CO. | KY | 03/02/2012 | 20:30 | EST-5 | Flash Flood | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K | |
| MIDDLESBORO | BELL CO. | KY | 03/02/2012 | 20:40 | EST-5 | Hail | 1.25 in. | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K |
| WITTENSVILLE | JOHNSON CO. | KY | 03/02/2012 | 20:55 | EST-5 | Flash Flood | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K | |
| TOMAHAWK | MARTIN CO. | KY | 03/02/2012 | 21:30 | EST-5 | Flash Flood | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K | |
| GRASSY CREEK | MORGAN CO. | KY | 03/02/2012 | 22:00 | EST-5 | Flood | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K | |
| TOMAHAWK | MARTIN CO. | KY | 03/03/2012 | 01:00 | EST-5 | Flood | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K | |
| Totals: | 16 | 187 | 6.801M | 0.00K |
