Hail — Marshall, Kentucky

2003-05-04 · near Calvert City, Marshall, Kentucky

Wider weather episode

One of the most destructive hailstorms on record in far western Kentucky began near the Mississippi River just south of Cairo, Illinois. The storm moved east across Ballard County, producing quarter-size hail. One-inch diameter hail was reported on U.S. Highway 60 at mile marker 7, near Barlow. Hailstones grew larger as the storm crossed McCracken County, pounding the southwest side of Paducah and Lone Oak with hail from golf ball to tennis ball size. Thousands of vehicles were dented, and hail broke some windshields, including the windshield of a deputy sheriff's vehicle. The roofs of hundreds of buildings sustained at least minor damage. The only known injury occurred in Paducah, when a woman leaving church received cuts and abrasions from hailstones. She was treated at a local hospital. As the storm continued east across northern Marshall County, hail up to baseball size broke the windshields of many vehicles and damaged the siding and roofing of homes. A downburst with estimated 80 MPH winds began along Highway 641 and continued east for 3 miles toward Kentucky Lake. Numerous trees were blown down, some of which landed on houses. In Lyon County, the storm produced golf-ball hail east of Barkley Dam before finally weakening. Although total damage estimates as reported by insurance companies are in the tens of millions of dollars, the exact amount will never be known.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (37.0333, -88.3500)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 5351588. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.