Thunderstorm, tornado warnings impact the area

A pair of strong storm lines led to a series of late afternoon and early evening tornado warnings that included Hardin, Bullitt, Nelson and Grayson counties. All the tornado warnings have expired but the area remains under a severe thunderstorm warning and a flood warning.

Damaging hail has been reported in Big Spring, Radcliff, Fort Knox and Lebanon Junction, according to some weather sources.

Elizabethtown and the southern half of Hardin County was spared from the first storm line late Saturday afternoon. However, an extended storm line is expected to bring heavy rain, lightning and another possibility of hail throughout the area.

Residents should be aware that a tornado watch area covering 40 counties in Kentucky is scheduled through 8 p.m. EDT. Be aware of changing weather conditions and take shelter as necessary.

More rain and potential storms are to the west, which means additional hazardous conditions and showerscould cross the area tonight.

A similar series of storms passed through the area Friday afternoon and it was followed around midnight by nine hours of rain and storms. After receiving a half-inch of rain Friday, the overnight storms accounted for 1.64 inches of rain, according to the Mesonet weather station located eight miles west of Elizabethtown. That will make it the fourth time in April that the county has received an inch of rain or more in a single day.

Another quarter inch of rain was reported from the evening storm. The first storm Saturday afternoon covered the north half of Hardin County and had no impact on the Mesonet rain readings.

Low-lying areas are at high risk of flooding. Rivers and creeks in the area are at or near flood stage. Hardin, Nelson, Meade and Breckinridge counties are part of a flood warning because of waterways out of their banks.