Breathitt County, Kentucky
County storm and disaster record · FIPS 21025 · population 13,610 · 492 sq mi
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 830 records for Breathitt County, Kentucky from 1950 through June 30, 2026, on 443 days; the most frequent are severe thunderstorm wind events (311 records). The deadliest single record is the July 27, 2022 flash flood: 11 deaths. FEMA has issued 49 declarations naming the county since 1967, 47 of them for natural hazards; the latest for a natural hazard was “Severe Winter Storm” on January 24, 2026.
The record, 1950 to 2026
Storm records filed for the county each year (2026 to June 30, 2026). Before 1996 NOAA recorded only tornadoes (from 1950), thunderstorm wind and hail (from 1955).
- recorded, no damage figure
- under $100,000
- $100,000 or more
- $1 million or more
- $10 million or more, or a death
- $100 million or more, or 10 deaths
- a year's colour: its recorded damage or deaths
- a year with a death
- 1955: wind and hail recorded from 1955
- 1996: all 48 event types from 1996
- Storm records
- 830on 443 days, 1950 to June 30, 2026
- Deaths recorded
- 169 injuries
- Damage, 2025 dollars
- $14Mas filed (scale steps before 1993)
- Tornadoes
- 4strongest F1
- FEMA declarations
- 49latest 2026
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records through June 30, 2026 (file revision 20260918); damage converted to 2025 dollars with the BLS CPI-U. Search the record at NCEI. BLS consumer price index.
What hazards hit Breathitt County most?
The most frequent records are severe thunderstorm wind events: 311 since 1959. 45% of its severe thunderstorm wind events since 1959 fell in June and July. The rank column places the county among Kentucky's counties by days with a record per 1,000 square miles of land over each hazard's complete period.
| Hazard | Records | Days | First, last | Killed | Injured | Damage | Rank in state |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Severe thunderstorm wind | 311 | 186 | 1959-2026 | 0 | 2 | $923K | 47 of 118 |
| Winter storms | 207 | 101 | 1996-2026 | 2 | 0 | $19K | 44 of 118 |
| Floods | 137 | 80 | 1996-2025 | 12 | 0 | $12M | 47 of 118 |
| Hail | 91 | 60 | 1983-2025 | 0 | 0 | $4K | 55 of 118 |
| Heavy rain | 29 | 24 | 2009-2022 | 0 | 0 | $6K | 8 of 118 |
| High wind and dust storms | 24 | 18 | 2003-2024 | 0 | 0 | $104K | 54 of 118 |
| Extreme cold | 13 | 13 | 2007-2020 | 0 | 0 | – | 64 of 118 |
| Drought | 4 | 4 | 2016-2019 | 0 | 0 | – | 46 of 118 |
| Heat | 4 | 4 | 2010-2010 | 0 | 0 | – | 61 of 118 |
| Tornadoes | 4 | 4 | 1995-2004 | 2 | 7 | $483K | 104 of 118 |
| Landslides and avalanches | 3 | 3 | 2018-2023 | 0 | 0 | – | 8 of 118 |
| Lightning | 1 | 1 | 2001-2001 | 0 | 0 | $5K | 79 of 118 |
| Fog, smoke and funnel clouds | 1 | 1 | 2010-2010 | 0 | 0 | – | 60 of 118 |
| Wildfires | 1 | 1 | 2016-2016 | 0 | 0 | – | 29 of 118 |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database (county and forecast-zone records attributed to the county; a zone record shows its own totals on each county it covers). Days: dates with at least one record of the hazard in the county. Ranks: days with a record per 1,000 square miles of land (Census Bureau 2024 Gazetteer), since 1950 for tornadoes, 1955 for hail and thunderstorm wind, 1996 for the rest.
How many tornadoes has Breathitt County had?
NOAA records 4 tornadoes in Breathitt County from 1995 to 2004, the strongest rated F1, with 2 deaths and 7 injuries recorded in the county. A tornado that crossed a county line is counted in each county it touched, with the length of its path inside the county.
Counted as whole tornadoes rather than county records, the Storm Prediction Center's database holds 4 tornadoes whose track touched Breathitt County since 1950 (NOAA's county records number 4, the same count); along their whole tracks they killed 2 people.
| Date | Tornado | Rating | Path | Killed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003-02-22 15:09, as SPC files it | Unnamed | F1 | 0.5 mi | 2 |
Map of the strongest tornado tracks in Kentucky.
Every tornado record filed for Breathitt County (4)
| Date | Place | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004-05-31 | Dalesburg, Breathitt County | F0 0.1 mi x 25 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2003-02-22 | Oakdale, Breathitt County | F1 0.5 mi x 75 yd | 2 | 7 | $481K |
| 2002-03-29 | Haddix, Breathitt County | F0 0.1 mi x 20 yd | 0 | 0 | $2K |
| 1995-05-18 | Breathitt County | 0 | 0 | – |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, tornado records by county (path length in the county, maximum width); ratings as published: F scale before February 1, 2007, EF scale after. Whole-track figures: NOAA Storm Prediction Center tornado database (1950-2025). SPC severe weather database.
When was the last damaging storm in Breathitt County?
The most recent record with damage, injuries or deaths is the March 11, 2026 thunderstorm wind ($3,000 in damage in 2025 dollars).
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-03-11 | Thunderstorm WindWolf Coal, Breathitt County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $3K |
| 2026-03-11 | Thunderstorm WindBeech, Breathitt County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $4K |
| 2026-03-07 | Thunderstorm WindQuicksand, Breathitt County | 52 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-03-07 | Thunderstorm WindQuicksand, Breathitt County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $2K |
| 2026-02-19 | Thunderstorm WindSewell, Breathitt County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $2K |
| 2026-01-24 | Winter StormBreathitt County · forecast zone Breathitt | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-05-20 | Thunderstorm WindLawson, Breathitt County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $2K |
| 2025-05-20 | Thunderstorm WindBeech, Breathitt County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $1K |
| 2025-05-17 | FloodStevenson, Breathitt County | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-05-16 | Flash FloodLittle, Breathitt County | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-05-16 | Thunderstorm WindWhick, Breathitt County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $6K |
| 2025-05-16 | HailNed, Breathitt County | 2.00 in hail | 0 | 0 | – |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database; every record of 2025-2026 is listed, earlier ones when they caused deaths, injuries or $250,000 of damage (2025 dollars), and every tornado.
The deadliest and costliest records
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022-07-27 | Flash FloodLambric, Breathitt County Multiple reports of flash flooding were received across southern Breathitt County during the overnight hours of the 27th into the 28th. These are some of the reports that were made: 10:48 PM EST - A bridge was washed out along Bowling Creek Road near Altro. 10:50 PM EST - Flash flooding was reported near the community ... | 11 | 0 | – | |
| 2003-02-22 | TornadoOakdale, Breathitt County A large swath of downburst winds, nearly 450 yards wide, swept through the damaged area. Embedded in these winds was an F1 tornado, with winds between 100 and 112 mile per hour. At least five trailer homes were completely destroyed along with several other structures including tobacco barns and outbuildings. Twelve ... | F1 0.5 mi x 75 yd | 2 | 7 | $481K |
| 2017-01-05 | Winter WeatherBreathitt County · forecast zone Breathitt An area of light snow developed early this morning, bringing widespread accumulations of 1-3 inches across eastern Kentucky through the day. A couple of more intense bands developed during the morning hours. These occurred across Perry County from Hazard south to Viper where 4 inches of snow were measured, and across ... | 1 | 0 | – | |
| 2014-02-06 | Winter WeatherBreathitt County · forecast zone Breathitt A woman died in a car crash during the predawn hours of Thursday, February 6th, 2014 when the SUV she was driving hit a patch of ice around the 6 mile marker of Hwy 476 in the Clayhole community. Her car struck a tree and went into the creek that runs along the road there. It appears that the SUV rolled numerous times ... | 1 | 0 | – | |
| 1999-01-23 | FloodTaulbee, Breathitt County Around one inch of rain fell between 4 and 11 am. This resulted in stream rises in the county. Streams rose high enough to cover low water bridges. A 54 year old male attempted to drive across a low water bridge near Taulbee. Water was about 2 feet deep and the car was swept off the bridge. The man drowned. | 1 | 0 | $2K | |
| 2008-07-30 | Thunderstorm WindPortsmouth, Breathitt County A tree was blown down and onto a car resulting in minor injuries to the passenger. | 52 kt wind | 0 | 1 | $1K |
| 2002-04-28 | Thunderstorm WindNoctor, Breathitt County Thunderstorm winds blew trees down on a woman, injuring her leg, while driving a four wheel all terrain vehicle on Carpenters Branch.. Also one inch diameter hail occurred. | 0 | 1 | – |
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004-06-01 | FloodBreathitt County · forecast zone Breathitt | 0 | 0 | $3.1M | |
| 2003-02-16 | FloodBreathitt County · forecast zone Breathitt | 0 | 0 | $2.6M | |
| 2009-05-09 | FloodBays, Breathitt County | 0 | 0 | $1.4M | |
| 2003-02-22 | TornadoOakdale, Breathitt County | F1 0.5 mi x 75 yd | 2 | 7 | $481K |
| 2005-04-30 | Flash FloodJackson, Breathitt County | 0 | 0 | $453K | |
| 1997-03-03 | FloodBreathitt County · forecast zone Breathitt | 0 | 0 | $331K | |
| 2025-04-29 | Thunderstorm WindMorris Fork, Breathitt County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $8K |
| 2025-05-16 | Thunderstorm WindWhick, Breathitt County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $6K |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database: deaths and injuries direct and indirect; damage is property plus crops as estimated by the National Weather Service, converted to 2025 dollars.
Is it getting more frequent?
Records per decade for Breathitt County's most frequent hazards. Counts rose everywhere after 1996, when NOAA began recording every event type, so compare decades within a hazard's complete period only (the shaded cells come before it).
| Hazard | 1950s | 1960s | 1970s | 1980s | 1990s | 2000s | 2010s | 2020-26 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Severe thunderstorm wind | 1 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 28 | 108 | 113 | 55 |
| Winter storms | – | – | – | – | 7 | 65 | 104 | 31 |
| Floods | – | – | – | – | 12 | 43 | 51 | 31 |
| Hail | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 17 | 39 | 13 | 19 |
| Heavy rain | – | – | – | – | 0 | 5 | 19 | 5 |
| High wind and dust storms | – | – | – | – | 0 | 11 | 6 | 7 |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records per calendar decade; zone records from the CZ_TYPE field (Z).
What time of year?
45% of its severe thunderstorm wind events since 1959 fell in June and July. The two busiest months are in violet.
The values, month by month
Jan 92 · Feb 108 · Mar 67 · Apr 63 · May 133 · Jun 107 · Jul 105 · Aug 46 · Sep 17 · Oct 21 · Nov 16 · Dec 55 (records).
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records by the month they began.
Federal disaster declarations for Breathitt County
FEMA's register lists 49 declarations that include Breathitt County: 40 major disasters, 7 emergencies and 2 fire management assistance declarations. Most were for severe storm (21) and flood (14).
| Declared | Number | Type | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-01-24 | EM-3633 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| 2025-05-23 | DR-4875 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes |
| 2025-04-24 | DR-4864 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| 2025-04-03 | EM-3626 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| 2025-02-24 | DR-4860 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| 2025-02-16 | EM-3624 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, and Landslides |
| 2024-11-26 | DR-4848 | Tropical Storm | Remnants of Hurricane Helene |
| 2023-05-09 | DR-4711 | Flood | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| 2022-07-29 | DR-4663 | Flood | Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| 2022-02-27 | DR-4643 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides |
| 2021-04-23 | DR-4595 | Flood | Severe, Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| 2021-03-31 | DR-4592 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storms, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| 2020-03-28 | DR-4497 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| 2020-03-13 | EM-3469 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| 2019-04-17 | DR-4428 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| 2018-04-12 | DR-4358 | Flood | Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| 2016-11-08 | FM-5158 | Fire | Eagles Nest Fire |
| 2015-08-12 | DR-4239 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslide |
| 2015-05-12 | DR-4218 | Flood | Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| 2015-05-01 | DR-4217 | Flood | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| 2011-07-25 | DR-4008 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| 2011-05-04 | DR-1976 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| 2009-05-29 | DR-1841 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Flooding and Mudslides |
| 2009-02-05 | DR-1818 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storm and Flooding |
| 2009-01-28 | EM-3302 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| 2005-09-10 | EM-3231 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina |
| 2004-06-10 | DR-1523 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Flooding, and Mudslides |
| 2003-07-02 | DR-1475 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, Mud and Rock Slides, and Tornadoes |
| 2003-06-03 | DR-1471 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, Mud and Rock Slides, and Tornadoes |
| 2003-03-14 | DR-1454 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Ice and Snow Storms, Heavy Rain, Flooding, Tornadoes, and Mud and |
| 2002-05-07 | DR-1414 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding |
| 2002-04-04 | DR-1407 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| 2001-11-02 | FM-2384 | Fire | Ky - Kentucky River Complex - 11/02/01 |
| 1998-04-29 | DR-1216 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes,and Flooding |
| 1998-03-03 | DR-1207 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| 1997-03-04 | DR-1163 | Severe Storm | Severe Storm, Flooding, and Tornadoes |
| 1996-01-13 | DR-1089 | Snowstorm | Blizzard of 96 |
| 1995-06-13 | DR-1055 | Tornado | Tornadoes, Severe Winds, Hail |
| 1994-03-16 | DR-1018 | Snowstorm | Severe Weather, Freezing Rain, Sleet, Snw |
| 1993-03-16 | EM-3104 | Snowstorm | Severe Snowfall & Winter Storm |
The 40 most recent of 49 are listed; the CSV has every one.
Source: FEMA OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (v2), declarations through October 2, 2026; one declaration is counted once however many areas it names. OpenFEMA dataset page.
How many floods has Breathitt County had?
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 137 flood or flash flood records for Breathitt County from 1996 to 2025, on 80 days, with 12 deaths. By flood insurance claims since 1978 (OpenFEMA, as of September 8, 2026), Breathitt County ranks 922nd of 2,942 U.S. counties.
The National Flood Insurance Program has paid $7.6 million on 207 claims filed in Breathitt County; the most in one year was 72 in 2022. Claims count insured losses only: uninsured flood damage is not in this file.
The values, year by year
1978: 4 · 1981: 8 · 1984: 18 · 1985: 2 · 1987: 1 · 1989: 9 · 1991: 6 · 1994: 2 · 1998: 3 · 2003: 12 · 2004: 5 · 2009: 13 · 2015: 1 · 2019: 1 · 2021: 26 · 2022: 72 · 2024: 1 · 2025: 23; the other years: 0.
Source: FEMA OpenFEMA NFIP Redacted Claims, as of September 8, 2026; claims by year of loss, payments in the dollars of the year paid. OpenFEMA dataset page.
FEMA's modeled risk for Breathitt County
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Breathitt County Relatively Low overall, with an expected annual loss of $14.8 million. These are FEMA's model estimates of future loss from 18 hazards, not a count of what happened; they can differ from the record above.
| Hazard | Risk rating | Expected annual loss | Modeled frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Landslide | Relatively Moderate | $63K | 1.6 a year (modeled) |
| Riverine Flooding | Relatively Moderate | $13M | 2.8 a year (modeled) |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low | $105K | once in about 110 years (modeled) |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low | $51K | 15 a year (modeled) |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low | $403K | about once a year (modeled) |
| Hail | Relatively Low | $103K | 3.3 a year (modeled) |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low | $222K | 4.8 a year (modeled) |
| Lightning | Relatively Low | $82K | 51 a year (modeled) |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county table, December 2025 release. FEMA's National Risk Index map.
Counties that share a border with Breathitt County
Source: U.S. Census Bureau county adjacency file; NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records since 1950. The Census Bureau's adjacency file.
Next
- Tornadoes in KentuckyEvery Kentucky tornado since 1950 and the counties with the most per square mile
- Severe thunderstorm wind in KentuckyThe state's severe thunderstorm wind events, by county, year and month
- The Kentucky recordEvery hazard in the state, its deadliest events and its federal declarations
- FEMA's risk rating for each hazard in Breathitt CountyThe hazard risk calculator: 18 hazards beside the county's record
- Download Breathitt County's FEMA declarations (CSV)49 rows: every declaration that named the county, for your own analysis