Owen County, Kentucky
County storm and disaster record · FIPS 21187 · population 11,258 · 350 sq mi
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 330 records for Owen County, Kentucky from 1950 through June 30, 2026, on 254 days; the most frequent are severe thunderstorm wind events (150 records). The deadliest single record is the March 1, 1997 flash flood: 2 deaths and $3.9 million in damage in 2025 dollars. FEMA has issued 23 declarations naming the county since 1974, 21 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
- 330on 254 days, 1950 to June 30, 2026
- Deaths recorded
- 46 injuries
- Damage, 2025 dollars
- $8.5Mas filed (scale steps before 1993)
- Tornadoes
- 4strongest EF2
- FEMA declarations
- 23latest 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 Owen County most?
The most frequent records are severe thunderstorm wind events: 150 since 1965. 41% of its severe thunderstorm wind events since 1965 fell in May and June. 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 | 150 | 113 | 1965-2026 | 0 | 2 | $910K | 65 of 118 |
| Floods | 67 | 54 | 1996-2026 | 4 | 0 | $4.2M | 51 of 118 |
| Winter storms | 55 | 55 | 1996-2026 | 0 | 0 | $376K | 65 of 118 |
| Hail | 31 | 30 | 1968-2025 | 0 | 0 | $24K | 95 of 118 |
| High wind and dust storms | 11 | 11 | 2000-2026 | 0 | 0 | $1.8M | 70 of 118 |
| Heat | 7 | 7 | 1999-2023 | 0 | 0 | – | 46 of 118 |
| Tornadoes | 4 | 4 | 1974-2014 | 0 | 3 | $535K | 97 of 118 |
| Extreme cold | 3 | 3 | 1996-2022 | 0 | 0 | $699K | 106 of 118 |
| Heavy rain | 1 | 1 | 2011-2011 | 0 | 0 | $1K | 94 of 118 |
| Lightning | 1 | 1 | 2002-2002 | 0 | 1 | – | 71 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 Owen County had?
NOAA records 4 tornadoes in Owen County from 1974 to 2014, the strongest rated EF2, with 0 deaths and 3 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 5 tornadoes whose track touched Owen County since 1950 (NOAA's county records number 4: they file a crossing tornado once per county segment, and the two databases differ on some tracks); along their whole tracks they killed 0 people.
Map of the strongest tornado tracks in Kentucky.
Every tornado record filed for Owen County (4)
| Date | Place | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014-10-07 | Natlee, Owen County | EF1 8.43 mi x 150 yd | 0 | 0 | $56K |
| 2012-03-02 | New Liberty, Owen County | EF2 5.4 mi x 150 yd | 0 | 3 | $411K |
| 1992-11-22 | Owen County | F1 2 mi x 20 yd | 0 | 0 | $25K step |
| 1974-04-03 | Owen County | F1 10.4 mi x 33 yd | 0 | 0 | $3K step |
A damage figure marked "step" is a record from before 1993: NOAA then filed damage by category, and the figure is the category as entered, in the dollars of that year, not an estimate of the loss.
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 Owen County?
The most recent record with damage, injuries or deaths is the June 18, 2026 thunderstorm wind ($3,000 in damage in 2025 dollars).
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-06-18 | Thunderstorm WindNew Liberty, Owen County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $3K |
| 2026-06-18 | Thunderstorm WindMoxley, Owen County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $5K |
| 2026-05-23 | FloodNew Liberty, Owen County | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-05-16 | Thunderstorm WindOwenton, Owen County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $2K |
| 2026-05-16 | Thunderstorm WindMonterey, Owen County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $2K |
| 2026-03-15 | Strong WindOwen County · forecast zone Owen | 44 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-03-13 | Strong WindOwen County · forecast zone Owen | 43 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-02-03 | Winter WeatherOwen County · forecast zone Owen | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-01-24 | Winter StormOwen County · forecast zone Owen | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-12-13 | Winter WeatherOwen County · forecast zone Owen | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-12-01 | Winter StormOwen County · forecast zone Owen | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-04-30 | Flash FloodSweet Owen, Owen County | 0 | 0 | $2K |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997-03-01 | Flash FloodCountywide, Owen County Estimated rainfall of 10 to 15 inches across the county in less than 36 hours caused many area creeks and streams to rise out of their banks. Numerous roads were flooded across the entire county. Two people were killed when their car was swept into flooded backwaters of the Kentucky River along State Route 355 near ... | 2 | 0 | $3.9M | |
| 2021-03-04 | FloodPerry Park, Owen County Moderate flooding occurred along the Kentucky River due to heavy rain earlier in the week. A man drowned in the flood waters near Perry Park. | 1 | 0 | – | |
| 2016-05-01 | Flash FloodTeresita, Owen County Heavy rain fell over parts of southern Owen County with measured rainfall rates as high as 2 inches in 45 minutes. Flash flooding occurred along Indian and Sawdridge Creeks. A 53 year old man was swept away and killed by the rapidly rising water along Indian Creek near the intersection of Teresita Road and Old Walnut ... | 1 | 0 | $61K | |
| 2012-03-02 | TornadoNew Liberty, Owen County The tornado touched down north of Owenton initially near a farm south of Highway 227, where minor damage to a barn and house were observed. The tornado continued east to near the intersection of Todd Road and Highways 127, 36, and 227 where the EF2 damage occurred. This damage included a house that had complete ... | EF2 5.4 mi x 150 yd | 0 | 3 | $411K |
| 1996-05-28 | Thunderstorm WindWheatley, Owen County Mobile homes overturned. Numerous trees downed. | 0 | 2 | $9K | |
| 2002-04-17 | LightningNew Liberty, Owen County A person received minor injuries from a lightning strike. Time is estimated. | 0 | 1 | – |
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997-03-01 | Flash FloodCountywide, Owen County | 2 | 0 | $3.9M | |
| 2008-09-14 | High WindOwen County · forecast zone Owen | 55 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $1.8M |
| 2012-03-02 | TornadoNew Liberty, Owen County | EF2 5.4 mi x 150 yd | 0 | 3 | $411K |
| 2016-05-01 | Flash FloodTeresita, Owen County | 1 | 0 | $61K | |
| 2014-10-07 | TornadoNatlee, Owen County | EF1 8.43 mi x 150 yd | 0 | 0 | $56K |
| 1996-05-28 | Thunderstorm WindWheatley, Owen County | 0 | 2 | $9K | |
| 2026-06-18 | Thunderstorm WindMoxley, Owen County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $5K |
| 2025-04-30 | Flash FloodSweet Owen, Owen County | 0 | 0 | $2K |
Before 1993 NOAA filed damage by category, not amount, so the list above starts in 1993. The highest category filed here before then (entered as $25K, in the dollars of the day) holds: November 22, 1992 (tornado, Owen County).
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 Owen 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 | 1 | 7 | 2 | 23 | 38 | 52 | 27 |
| Floods | – | – | – | – | 4 | 29 | 22 | 12 |
| Winter storms | – | – | – | – | 6 | 11 | 29 | 9 |
| Hail | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 12 | 9 | 3 |
| High wind and dust storms | – | – | – | – | 0 | 6 | 0 | 5 |
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 1965 fell in May and June. The two busiest months are in violet.
The values, month by month
Jan 19 · Feb 31 · Mar 41 · Apr 39 · May 44 · Jun 52 · Jul 39 · Aug 26 · Sep 7 · Oct 4 · Nov 11 · Dec 17 (records).
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records by the month they began.
Federal disaster declarations for Owen County
FEMA's register lists 23 declarations that include Owen County: 17 major disasters, 6 emergencies and 0 fire management assistance declarations. Most were for severe storm (9) and flood (5).
| 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 |
| 2019-04-17 | DR-4428 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| 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 |
| 2015-05-01 | DR-4217 | Flood | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, 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 |
| 2005-09-10 | EM-3231 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina |
| 2005-02-08 | DR-1578 | Snowstorm | Severe Winter Storm and Record Snow |
| 2004-06-10 | DR-1523 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Flooding, and Mudslides |
| 1997-03-04 | DR-1163 | Severe Storm | Severe Storm, Flooding, and Tornadoes |
| 1996-01-13 | DR-1089 | Snowstorm | Blizzard of 96 |
| 1989-02-24 | DR-821 | Flood | Severe Storms & Flooding |
| 1978-12-12 | DR-568 | Flood | Severe Storms & Flooding |
| 1974-04-04 | DR-420 | Tornado | Tornadoes |
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 Owen County had?
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 67 flood or flash flood records for Owen County from 1996 to 2026, on 54 days, with 4 deaths. By flood insurance claims since 1978 (OpenFEMA, as of September 8, 2026), Owen County ranks 1463rd of 2,942 U.S. counties.
The National Flood Insurance Program has paid $1.4 million on 73 claims filed in Owen County; the most in one year was 28 in 1997. Claims count insured losses only: uninsured flood damage is not in this file.
The values, year by year
1978: 5 · 1989: 15 · 1992: 1 · 1997: 28 · 2000: 1 · 2002: 1 · 2003: 1 · 2004: 1 · 2010: 7 · 2021: 1 · 2025: 12; 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 Owen County
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Owen County Very Low overall, with an expected annual loss of $6.2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tornado | Relatively Low | $1.3M | once in about 4 years (modeled) |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low | $549K | 5.6 a year (modeled) |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low | $56K | about once a year (modeled) |
| Lightning | Relatively Low | $97K | 51 a year (modeled) |
| Landslide | Very Low | $2K | 1 a year (modeled) |
| Earthquake | Very Low | $98K | once in about 577 years (modeled) |
| Riverine Flooding | Very Low | $3.7M | 1.8 a year (modeled) |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | $100K | 6.5 modeled event-days a year |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county table, December 2025 release. FEMA's National Risk Index map.
Counties that share a border with Owen 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 Owen CountyThe hazard risk calculator: 18 hazards beside the county's record
- Download Owen County's FEMA declarations (CSV)23 rows: every declaration that named the county, for your own analysis