Pikeville, Kentucky – Strong thunderstorms racing through eastern Kentucky could bring damaging wind gusts and dangerous lightning before sunrise Monday, putting a large stretch of the Appalachian region under a Severe Thunderstorm Watch.
According to the National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center, Severe Thunderstorm Watch 62 remains in effect until 7 a.m. EDT Monday for 34 counties across eastern and southeastern Kentucky. The alert stretches from the Cumberland Mountains to the Bluegrass foothills, including communities such as Pikeville, Hazard, Harlan, London, Somerset, Prestonsburg, Whitesburg, Jackson, and Salyersville.
Counties under the watch include Bell, Breathitt, Clay, Elliott, Estill, Floyd, Harlan, Jackson, Johnson, Knott, Knox, Laurel, Lawrence, Lee, Leslie, Letcher, Magoffin, Martin, McCreary, Menifee, Montgomery, Morgan, Owsley, Perry, Pike, Powell, Pulaski, Rockcastle, Rowan, Wayne, Whitley, Wolfe, Bath, and Fleming.
Storms moving northeast across the region could produce wind gusts up to 60 mph and intense lightning, especially along key travel routes including U.S. Highway 23 near Pikeville, Interstate 75 near London, and the Hal Rogers Parkway through Hazard.
Emergency managers warn that strong wind bursts could down tree limbs and trigger scattered power outages in mountain communities. Residents should secure outdoor items and keep weather alerts enabled on mobile devices in case warnings are issued overnight.
The severe thunderstorm watch remains active until 7 a.m. Monday, and additional warnings may be issued as storms continue moving across eastern Kentucky during the early morning commute.
