Gallatin County, Kentucky
County storm and disaster record · FIPS 21077 · population 8,687 · 98 sq mi
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 280 records for Gallatin County, Kentucky from 1950 through June 30, 2026, on 239 days; the most frequent are severe thunderstorm wind events (95 records). The deadliest single record is the August 8, 1991 thunderstorm wind: 2 deaths. FEMA has issued 17 declarations naming the county since 1996, 15 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
- 280on 239 days, 1950 to June 30, 2026
- Deaths recorded
- 422 injuries
- Damage, 2025 dollars
- $4.5Mas filed (scale steps before 1993)
- Tornadoes
- 3strongest F1
- FEMA declarations
- 17latest 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 Gallatin County most?
The most frequent records are severe thunderstorm wind events: 95 since 1957. 43% of its severe thunderstorm wind events since 1957 fell in June and July. Census land area gives no figure for Gallatin County under this code, so it carries no per-area rank.
| Hazard | Records | Days | First, last | Killed | Injured | Damage | Rank in state |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Severe thunderstorm wind | 95 | 79 | 1957-2026 | 2 | 15 | $1.3M | – |
| Winter storms | 87 | 86 | 1996-2026 | 1 | 0 | $376K | – |
| Floods | 58 | 45 | 1996-2024 | 1 | 0 | $513K | – |
| Hail | 17 | 16 | 1964-2024 | 0 | 0 | $35K | – |
| High wind and dust storms | 9 | 9 | 2000-2026 | 0 | 0 | $1.3M | – |
| Heat | 7 | 7 | 1999-2023 | 0 | 0 | – | – |
| Extreme cold | 3 | 3 | 1996-2022 | 0 | 0 | $699K | – |
| Tornadoes | 3 | 3 | 1996-2020 | 0 | 7 | $240K | – |
| Heavy rain | 1 | 1 | 2011-2011 | 0 | 0 | $1K | – |
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 Gallatin County had?
NOAA records 3 tornadoes in Gallatin County from 1996 to 2020, the strongest rated F1, with 0 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 3 tornadoes whose track touched Gallatin County since 1950 (NOAA's county records number 3, the same count); along their whole tracks they killed 0 people.
Map of the strongest tornado tracks in Kentucky.
Every tornado record filed for Gallatin County (3)
| Date | Place | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020-04-08 | Warsaw, Gallatin County | EF0 0.5 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | $34K |
| 2014-07-07 | Ethridge, Gallatin County | EF0 0.47 mi x 200 yd | 0 | 0 | $187K |
| 1996-05-08 | Warsaw, Gallatin County | F1 2 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 7 | $19K |
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 Gallatin County?
The most recent record with damage, injuries or deaths is the June 18, 2026 thunderstorm wind ($5,000 in damage in 2025 dollars).
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-06-18 | Thunderstorm WindCarson, Gallatin County | 51 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-06-18 | Thunderstorm WindCarson, Gallatin County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $5K |
| 2026-04-28 | Thunderstorm WindCarson, Gallatin County | 51 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-03-13 | Strong WindGallatin County · forecast zone Gallatin | 42 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-02-03 | Winter StormGallatin County · forecast zone Gallatin | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-01-24 | Winter StormGallatin County · forecast zone Gallatin | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-12-13 | Winter WeatherGallatin County · forecast zone Gallatin | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-12-01 | Winter StormGallatin County · forecast zone Gallatin | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-06-18 | Thunderstorm WindSugar Bay, Gallatin County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $1K |
| 2025-01-10 | Winter WeatherGallatin County · forecast zone Gallatin | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-01-05 | Winter StormGallatin County · forecast zone Gallatin | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2023-07-01 | Thunderstorm WindWarsaw, Gallatin County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 2 | $19K |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1991-08-08 | Thunderstorm WindGallatin County | 2 | 0 | – | |
| 2014-11-22 | Winter WeatherGallatin County · forecast zone Gallatin Icy road conditions were found in spots across the county. One person was killed while travelling northbound on I-71. Their vehicle hit an icy spot on a bridge and flipped in the median near mile marker 55. They were not wearing a seat belt and were ejected from the vehicle. | 1 | 0 | – | |
| 1997-03-01 | Flash FloodCountywide, Gallatin County Estimated rainfall of 6 to 8 inches across the county in less than 36 hours caused area creeks and streams to overflow their banks. Several roads were closed across the entire county. One death occurred when the car stalled in high water and the driver of the car drowned. | 1 | 0 | $184K | |
| 2002-11-10 | Thunderstorm WindWarsaw, Gallatin County Several mobile homes were demolished along State Route 184 between Interstate 71 and the Ohio River. Damage was caused by a microburst. | 65 kt wind | 0 | 10 | $615K |
| 1996-05-08 | TornadoWarsaw, Gallatin County Tornado passed through Warsaw hurling a mobile home 50 feet from it's foundation. Several transformers were damaged. | F1 2 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 7 | $19K |
| 2023-07-01 | Thunderstorm WindWarsaw, Gallatin County Several large tress were downed and four homes were damaged by the trees. Two people suffered minor injuries in the homes. A few telephone poles were also downed. | 50 kt wind | 0 | 2 | $19K |
| 2016-07-08 | Thunderstorm WindSparta, Gallatin County Several tents were blown over at Kentucky Speedway. Two people suffered minor injuries after being hit by flying debris. | 50 kt wind | 0 | 2 | $2K |
| 2012-06-29 | Thunderstorm WindSparta, Gallatin County Trees were uprooted and awnings were damaged at Kentucky Motor Speedway due to damaging thunderstorm winds. One crew member was injured. | 52 kt wind | 0 | 1 | $13K |
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008-09-14 | High WindGallatin County · forecast zone Gallatin | 58 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $1.3M |
| 2002-11-10 | Thunderstorm WindWarsaw, Gallatin County | 65 kt wind | 0 | 10 | $615K |
| 2014-07-07 | TornadoEthridge, Gallatin County | EF0 0.47 mi x 200 yd | 0 | 0 | $187K |
| 1997-03-01 | Flash FloodCountywide, Gallatin County | 1 | 0 | $184K | |
| 2017-03-01 | Thunderstorm WindSugar Bay, Gallatin County | 74 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $60K |
| 2020-04-08 | TornadoWarsaw, Gallatin County | EF0 0.5 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | $34K |
| 2012-05-01 | HailSparta, Gallatin County | 2.75 in hail | 0 | 0 | $26K |
| 2014-07-07 | Thunderstorm WindEthridge, Gallatin County | 70 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $25K |
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 Gallatin 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 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 19 | 20 | 34 | 12 |
| Winter storms | – | – | – | – | 6 | 11 | 54 z | 16 |
| Floods | – | – | – | – | 9 | 20 | 22 | 7 |
| Hail | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 1 |
Winter storms in the 2010s: 54 records against 11 in the decade before, 54 of them forecast-zone records. Cells marked z rose mostly through zone records. The local National Weather Service office files these once per forecast zone, so a change in how it draws its zones or splits a storm into records moves this count as much as the weather does; read it beside the Gallatin County days with a record above.
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records per calendar decade; zone records from the CZ_TYPE field (Z).
What time of year?
43% of its severe thunderstorm wind events since 1957 fell in June and July. The two busiest months are in violet.
The values, month by month
Jan 23 · Feb 43 · Mar 33 · Apr 27 · May 30 · Jun 27 · Jul 33 · Aug 19 · Sep 8 · Oct 5 · Nov 9 · Dec 23 (records).
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records by the month they began.
Federal disaster declarations for Gallatin County
FEMA's register lists 17 declarations that include Gallatin County: 11 major disasters, 6 emergencies and 0 fire management assistance declarations. Most were for severe storm (8) and biological (2).
| Declared | Number | Type | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-01-24 | EM-3633 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| 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 |
| 2025-02-16 | EM-3624 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, and Landslides |
| 2023-04-10 | DR-4702 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| 2020-03-28 | DR-4497 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| 2020-03-13 | EM-3469 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| 2018-04-26 | DR-4361 | Flood | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| 2015-05-12 | DR-4218 | Flood | Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| 2011-05-04 | DR-1976 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| 2010-05-11 | DR-1912 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Tornadoes |
| 2009-02-05 | DR-1818 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storm and Flooding |
| 2009-01-28 | EM-3302 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| 2008-10-09 | DR-1802 | Severe Storm | Severe Wind Storm Associated With Tropical Depression Ike |
| 2005-09-10 | EM-3231 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina |
| 1997-03-04 | DR-1163 | Severe Storm | Severe Storm, Flooding, and Tornadoes |
| 1996-01-13 | DR-1089 | Snowstorm | Blizzard of 96 |
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 Gallatin County had?
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 58 flood or flash flood records for Gallatin County from 1996 to 2024, on 45 days, with 1 death. By flood insurance claims since 1978 (OpenFEMA, as of September 8, 2026), Gallatin County ranks 1865th of 2,942 U.S. counties.
The National Flood Insurance Program has paid $458,000 on 33 claims filed in Gallatin County; the most in one year was 13 in 2025. Claims count insured losses only: uninsured flood damage is not in this file.
The values, year by year
1979: 1 · 1992: 1 · 1997: 2 · 2004: 1 · 2005: 1 · 2015: 2 · 2018: 12 · 2025: 13; 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 Gallatin County
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Gallatin County Very Low overall, with an expected annual loss of $5.7 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate | $838K | 5.5 a year (modeled) |
| Tornado | Relatively Low | $956K | once in about 14 years (modeled) |
| Lightning | Relatively Low | $90K | 52 a year (modeled) |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low | $276K | 1.7 a year (modeled) |
| Landslide | Very Low | $383 | once in about 5 years (modeled) |
| Riverine Flooding | Very Low | $3.4M | 1.6 a year (modeled) |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | $22K | about once a year (modeled) |
| Earthquake | Very Low | $32K | once in about 640 years (modeled) |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county table, December 2025 release. FEMA's National Risk Index map.
Counties that share a border with Gallatin 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 Gallatin CountyThe hazard risk calculator: 18 hazards beside the county's record
- Download Gallatin County's FEMA declarations (CSV)17 rows: every declaration that named the county, for your own analysis