Knott County, Kentucky
County storm and disaster record · FIPS 21119 · population 14,224 · 352 sq mi
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 313 records for Knott County, Kentucky from 1950 through June 30, 2026, on 230 days; the most frequent are severe thunderstorm wind events (95 records). The deadliest single record is the July 27, 2022 flash flood: 16 deaths. FEMA has issued 43 declarations naming the county since 1967, 41 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
- 313on 230 days, 1950 to June 30, 2026
- Deaths recorded
- 161 injuries
- Damage, 2025 dollars
- $3.5Mas filed (scale steps before 1993)
- FEMA declarations
- 43latest 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 Knott County most?
The most frequent records are severe thunderstorm wind events: 95 since 1974. 46% of its severe thunderstorm wind events since 1974 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 | 95 | 67 | 1974-2025 | 0 | 0 | $405K | 114 of 118 |
| Winter storms | 82 | 63 | 1996-2025 | 0 | 1 | $17K | 53 of 118 |
| Floods | 47 | 34 | 1998-2025 | 16 | 0 | $3.0M | 93 of 118 |
| Hail | 37 | 33 | 1985-2025 | 0 | 0 | – | 83 of 118 |
| Extreme cold | 14 | 14 | 2007-2020 | 0 | 0 | – | 41 of 118 |
| Heat | 10 | 9 | 2010-2010 | 0 | 0 | – | 42 of 118 |
| Heavy rain | 10 | 8 | 2010-2022 | 0 | 0 | $12K | 36 of 118 |
| High wind and dust storms | 10 | 10 | 2006-2024 | 0 | 0 | $61K | 76 of 118 |
| Drought | 4 | 4 | 2016-2019 | 0 | 0 | – | 37 of 118 |
| Landslides and avalanches | 2 | 2 | 2021-2025 | 0 | 0 | – | 10 of 118 |
| Fog, smoke and funnel clouds | 1 | 1 | 2010-2010 | 0 | 0 | – | 55 of 118 |
| Wildfires | 1 | 1 | 2016-2016 | 0 | 0 | – | 21 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.
When was the last damaging storm in Knott County?
The most recent record with damage, injuries or deaths is the May 20, 2025 thunderstorm wind ($1,000 in damage in 2025 dollars).
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-05-20 | Thunderstorm WindCarrie, Knott County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $1K |
| 2025-05-08 | HailFisty, Knott County | 1.25 in hail | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2025-04-14 | HailDecoy, Knott County | 1.50 in hail | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2025-01-31 | Debris FlowHindman, Knott County | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-01-31 | FloodHindman, Knott County | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-01-10 | Heavy SnowKnott County · forecast zone Knott | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2022-07-27 | Flash FloodFisty, Knott County | 16 | 0 | – | |
| 2014-08-18 | Flash FloodFisty, Knott County | 0 | 0 | $292K | |
| 2012-07-05 | Thunderstorm WindEmmalena, Knott County | 78 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $6K |
| 2011-04-09 | HailKite, Knott County | 2.75 in hail | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2010-12-04 | Winter WeatherKnott County · forecast zone Knott | 0 | 1 | $7K | |
| 2001-08-04 | Flash FloodCountywide, Knott County | 0 | 0 | $1.3M |
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 FloodFisty, Knott County Extensive flash flooding occurred in Knott County. Some of the reports included: 11:00 PM EST - Pictures on social media show flash flooding around the Big Branch Baptist Church. 11:56 PM EST - Broadcast media reported street flash flooding leaving KY-899 impassable in front of the Holly Hills Shopping Center. 12:38 ... | 16 | 0 | – | |
| 2010-12-04 | Winter WeatherKnott County · forecast zone Knott A two vehicle collision occurred around 1145 am Saturday morning near the MHSA Creekside Office Building on Hwy 550, a half mile east of Hindman. One person was injured in the accident. Two inches of snow had fallen overnight and into the early morning hours on December 4th, leading to hazardous conditions on area ... | 0 | 1 | $7K |
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001-08-04 | Flash FloodCountywide, Knott County | 0 | 0 | $1.3M | |
| 1998-04-18 | Flash FloodCountywide, Knott County | 0 | 0 | $905K | |
| 2014-08-18 | Flash FloodFisty, Knott County | 0 | 0 | $292K | |
| 2010-12-04 | Winter WeatherKnott County · forecast zone Knott | 0 | 1 | $7K | |
| 2012-07-05 | Thunderstorm WindEmmalena, Knott County | 78 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 Knott 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 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 11 | 30 | 40 | 13 |
| Winter storms | – | – | – | – | 8 | 16 | 47 | 11 |
| Floods | – | – | – | – | 2 | 11 | 21 | 13 |
| Hail | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 9 | 13 | 10 | 4 |
| Extreme cold | – | – | – | – | 0 | 3 | 10 | 1 |
| Heat | – | – | – | – | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0 |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records per calendar decade; zone records from the CZ_TYPE field (Z).
What time of year?
46% of its severe thunderstorm wind events since 1974 fell in June and July. The two busiest months are in violet.
The values, month by month
Jan 45 · Feb 44 · Mar 24 · Apr 32 · May 31 · Jun 28 · Jul 38 · Aug 26 · Sep 6 · Oct 9 · Nov 10 · Dec 20 (records).
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records by the month they began.
Federal disaster declarations for Knott County
FEMA's register lists 43 declarations that include Knott County: 37 major disasters, 6 emergencies and 0 fire management assistance declarations. Most were for severe storm (23) and flood (13).
| 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 |
| 2025-04-03 | 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 |
| 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 |
| 2020-04-24 | DR-4540 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, 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 |
| 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 |
| 2015-04-30 | DR-4216 | Snowstorm | Severe Winter Storms, Snowstorms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| 2014-09-30 | DR-4196 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, 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 |
| 2010-05-11 | DR-1912 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Tornadoes |
| 2009-05-29 | DR-1841 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Flooding and Mudslides |
| 2007-05-25 | DR-1703 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Rockslides |
| 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 |
| 2003-03-14 | 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 |
| 2001-08-15 | DR-1388 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| 1998-04-29 | DR-1216 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes,and Flooding |
| 1997-03-04 | DR-1163 | Severe Storm | Severe Storm, Flooding, and Tornadoes |
| 1996-01-13 | DR-1089 | Snowstorm | Blizzard of 96 |
| 1993-03-16 | EM-3104 | Snowstorm | Severe Snowfall & Winter Storm |
| 1989-10-30 | DR-846 | Flood | Severe Storms, Mudslides & Flooding |
| 1989-06-30 | DR-834 | Flood | Severe Storms & Flooding |
| 1989-02-24 | DR-821 | Flood | Severe Storms & Flooding |
| 1984-05-15 | DR-705 | Severe Storm | High Winds, Tornadoes & Flooding |
| 1977-04-06 | DR-529 | Flood | Severe Storms & Flooding |
| 1975-05-24 | DR-468 | Flood | Severe Storms & Flooding |
The 40 most recent of 43 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 Knott County had?
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 47 flood or flash flood records for Knott County from 1998 to 2025, on 34 days, with 16 deaths. By flood insurance claims since 1978 (OpenFEMA, as of September 8, 2026), Knott County ranks 932nd of 2,942 U.S. counties.
The National Flood Insurance Program has paid $6.6 million on 205 claims filed in Knott County; the most in one year was 65 in 2022. Claims count insured losses only: uninsured flood damage is not in this file.
The values, year by year
1978: 5 · 1981: 14 · 1984: 23 · 1989: 8 · 1991: 1 · 1992: 1 · 1994: 1 · 1995: 2 · 1998: 6 · 2001: 4 · 2003: 24 · 2004: 3 · 2005: 1 · 2007: 3 · 2012: 2 · 2014: 4 · 2022: 65 · 2023: 1 · 2024: 1 · 2025: 35 · 2026: 1; 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 Knott County
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Knott County Relatively Low overall, with an expected annual loss of $11.5 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 | $57K | 1.1 a year (modeled) |
| Riverine Flooding | Relatively Moderate | $10M | 1.2 a year (modeled) |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low | $163K | once in about 102 years (modeled) |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low | $47K | 15 a year (modeled) |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low | $391K | about once a year (modeled) |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low | $216K | 4 a year (modeled) |
| Lightning | Relatively Low | $66K | 51 a year (modeled) |
| Avalanche | Very Low | $700 | once in about 100 years (modeled) |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county table, December 2025 release. FEMA's National Risk Index map.
Counties that share a border with Knott County
Source: U.S. Census Bureau county adjacency file; NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records since 1950. The Census Bureau's adjacency file.
Next
- 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 Knott CountyThe hazard risk calculator: 18 hazards beside the county's record
- Download Knott County's FEMA declarations (CSV)43 rows: every declaration that named the county, for your own analysis