Knox County, Kentucky
County storm and disaster record · FIPS 21121 · population 30,106 · 386 sq mi
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 398 records for Knox County, Kentucky from 1950 through June 30, 2026, on 268 days; the most frequent are severe thunderstorm wind events (153 records). The deadliest single record is the January 2, 2014 winter weather, filed for the forecast zone Knox, which covers the county: 1 death and 1 injury. FEMA has issued 39 declarations naming the county since 1967, 37 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
- 398on 268 days, 1950 to June 30, 2026
- Deaths recorded
- 48 injuries
- Damage, 2025 dollars
- $13Mas filed (scale steps before 1993)
- Tornadoes
- 3strongest EF1
- FEMA declarations
- 39latest 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 Knox County most?
The most frequent records are severe thunderstorm wind events: 153 since 1974. 41% 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 | 153 | 108 | 1974-2026 | 0 | 0 | $730K | 90 of 118 |
| Floods | 89 | 59 | 1996-2022 | 2 | 0 | $12M | 54 of 118 |
| Winter storms | 60 | 43 | 1996-2026 | 1 | 2 | – | 84 of 118 |
| Hail | 50 | 36 | 1980-2025 | 0 | 0 | $11K | 85 of 118 |
| Extreme cold | 13 | 12 | 2007-2020 | 1 | 0 | – | 54 of 118 |
| High wind and dust storms | 9 | 9 | 2003-2024 | 0 | 0 | $158K | 80 of 118 |
| Heavy rain | 8 | 7 | 2002-2021 | 0 | 6 | $26K | 44 of 118 |
| Heat | 7 | 7 | 2010-2010 | 0 | 0 | – | 47 of 118 |
| Drought | 3 | 3 | 2016-2019 | 0 | 0 | – | 48 of 118 |
| Tornadoes | 3 | 2 | 2004-2024 | 0 | 0 | $323K | 109 of 118 |
| Fog, smoke and funnel clouds | 2 | 2 | 2010-2021 | 0 | 0 | – | 42 of 118 |
| Lightning | 1 | 1 | 2014-2014 | 0 | 0 | $1K | 73 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 Knox County had?
NOAA records 3 tornadoes in Knox County from 2004 to 2024, the strongest rated EF1, with 0 deaths and 0 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 Knox 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 Knox County (3)
| Date | Place | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-05-26 | Siler, Knox County | EF1 0.78 mi x 60 yd | 0 | 0 | $198K |
| 2004-05-31 | Erose, Knox County | F1 0.2 mi x 63 yd | 0 | 0 | $47K |
| 2004-05-31 | Hammond, Knox County | F1 0.1 mi x 63 yd | 0 | 0 | $78K |
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 Knox County?
The most recent record with damage, injuries or deaths is the March 16, 2026 thunderstorm wind ($1,000 in damage in 2025 dollars).
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-03-16 | Thunderstorm WindIndian Creek, Knox County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $1K |
| 2026-01-24 | Winter StormKnox County · forecast zone Knox | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-12-19 | Thunderstorm WindPermon, Knox County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $2K |
| 2025-05-20 | Thunderstorm WindDewitt, Knox County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $2K |
| 2025-05-16 | Thunderstorm WindSprule, Knox County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $2K |
| 2025-05-08 | HailGoins, Knox County | 1.00 in hail | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2025-05-08 | HailBryants Store, Knox County | 1.50 in hail | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2025-05-08 | Thunderstorm WindBoone Hgts, Knox County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $12K |
| 2025-05-08 | HailBarbourville, Knox County | 1.00 in hail | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2025-05-08 | HailTrosper, Knox County | 2.00 in hail | 0 | 0 | $10K |
| 2025-04-04 | Thunderstorm WindWilton, Knox County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $3K |
| 2025-04-04 | Thunderstorm WindWilton, Knox County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $3K |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014-01-02 | Winter WeatherKnox County · forecast zone Knox A car accident occurred on Highway 11 south of Barbourville early this morning due to slick roads caused by freezing rain. One fatality and one injury occurred as a result of this accident. | 1 | 1 | – | |
| 2015-02-19 | Extreme Cold/Wind ChillKnox County · forecast zone Knox The coroner in Knox County said that a man in his 50's was found dead along Highway 1304 in the Payne's Creek area. The cause of death was ruled as exposure to the cold. | 1 | 0 | – | |
| 2011-06-20 | Flash FloodAnchor, Knox County A Kayjay man was killed when flood waters swept the trailer he and his mother lived in away and smashed it against a bridge downstream. The man's mother survived and was rescued some time later. | 1 | 0 | $33K | |
| 2004-09-17 | FloodKnox County · forecast zone Knox On September 18, 2004 at approximately 10:47 pm EST, a 20 year old man drowned while attempting to drive his vehicle through flood waters on Highway 459, near the junction of Bull Run road, 5 miles southwest of Barbourville. The road was closed at the time of the incident. Four feet of water over a bridge near Central ... | 1 | 0 | $161K | |
| 2012-03-15 | Heavy RainBarbourville, Knox County The roof of the Tru-Seal factory in Barbourville due to the weight of rain water that had accumulated on the roof. Six injuries were reported. | 0 | 6 | $26K | |
| 2014-01-02 | Winter WeatherKnox County · forecast zone Knox A car accident that resulted in an injury occurred around 7 am on Highway 1304 in Girdler. The accident was by roads that were made slick due to freezing rain. | 0 | 1 | – |
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011-06-20 | Flash FloodAnchor, Knox County | 0 | 0 | $3.9M | |
| 2003-02-16 | FloodKnox County · forecast zone Knox | 0 | 0 | $3.6M | |
| 2020-02-06 | FloodHeidrick, Knox County | 0 | 0 | $2.9M | |
| 2013-04-17 | Flash FloodMills, Knox County | 0 | 0 | $963K | |
| 2024-05-26 | TornadoSiler, Knox County | EF1 0.78 mi x 60 yd | 0 | 0 | $198K |
| 2004-09-17 | FloodKnox County · forecast zone Knox | 1 | 0 | $161K | |
| 2004-05-31 | TornadoHammond, Knox County | F1 0.1 mi x 63 yd | 0 | 0 | $78K |
| 2004-05-31 | TornadoErose, Knox County | F1 0.2 mi x 63 yd | 0 | 0 | $47K |
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 Knox 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 | 2 | 3 | 10 | 53 | 47 | 38 |
| Floods | – | – | – | – | 7 | 36 | 36 | 10 |
| Winter storms | – | – | – | – | 6 | 16 | 28 | 10 |
| Hail | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 6 | 24 | 7 | 9 |
| Extreme cold | – | – | – | – | 0 | 3 | 9 | 1 |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records per calendar decade; zone records from the CZ_TYPE field (Z).
What time of year?
41% 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 35 · Feb 54 · Mar 29 · Apr 47 · May 55 · Jun 47 · Jul 51 · Aug 33 · Sep 13 · Oct 10 · Nov 9 · Dec 15 (records).
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records by the month they began.
Federal disaster declarations for Knox County
FEMA's register lists 39 declarations that include Knox County: 30 major disasters, 6 emergencies and 3 fire management assistance declarations. Most were for severe storm (17) and flood (11).
| 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 |
| 2024-07-23 | DR-4804 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| 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 |
| 2016-11-20 | FM-5166 | Fire | Southeastern Kentucky Fire Complex |
| 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 |
| 2011-07-25 | DR-4008 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| 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-2385 | Fire | Ky - Southeastern Fire Complex - 11/02/01 |
| 2000-11-04 | FM-2349 | Fire | Ky - Southeastern District Fire Complex - 11/03/00 |
| 1998-04-29 | DR-1216 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes,and Flooding |
| 1998-03-03 | DR-1207 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| 1996-01-13 | DR-1089 | Snowstorm | Blizzard of 96 |
| 1994-03-16 | DR-1018 | Snowstorm | Severe Weather, Freezing Rain, Sleet, Snw |
| 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 |
| 1975-03-29 | DR-461 | Flood | Severe Storms & Flooding |
| 1970-06-05 | DR-288 | Flood | Severe Storms & Flooding |
| 1970-02-02 | DR-282 | Flood | Heavy Snowmelt, Rains & Flooding |
| 1967-03-27 | DR-226 | Flood | Severe Storms & Flooding |
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 Knox County had?
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 89 flood or flash flood records for Knox County from 1996 to 2022, on 59 days, with 2 deaths. By flood insurance claims since 1978 (OpenFEMA, as of September 8, 2026), Knox County ranks 1209th of 2,942 U.S. counties.
The National Flood Insurance Program has paid $892,000 on 120 claims filed in Knox County; the most in one year was 39 in 1984. Claims count insured losses only: uninsured flood damage is not in this file.
The values, year by year
1982: 1 · 1984: 39 · 1985: 1 · 1987: 3 · 1989: 8 · 1990: 1 · 1991: 3 · 1994: 3 · 1996: 7 · 1998: 9 · 2001: 1 · 2002: 2 · 2003: 6 · 2004: 3 · 2008: 1 · 2009: 1 · 2011: 5 · 2013: 1 · 2015: 1 · 2018: 3 · 2019: 2 · 2020: 10 · 2021: 1 · 2023: 1 · 2024: 1 · 2025: 6; 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 Knox County
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Knox County Relatively Low overall, with an expected annual loss of $19.7 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cold Wave | Relatively High | $8.1M | about once a year (modeled) |
| Landslide | Relatively Moderate | $32K | 1.2 a year (modeled) |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate | $140K | 14 a year (modeled) |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate | $452K | 5.6 a year (modeled) |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate | $201K | 54 a year (modeled) |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low | $396K | once in about 66 years (modeled) |
| Riverine Flooding | Relatively Low | $8.3M | 2.1 a year (modeled) |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low | $469K | once in about 403 years (modeled) |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county table, December 2025 release. FEMA's National Risk Index map.
Counties that share a border with Knox 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 Knox CountyThe hazard risk calculator: 18 hazards beside the county's record
- Download Knox County's FEMA declarations (CSV)39 rows: every declaration that named the county, for your own analysis