Pendleton County, Kentucky
County storm and disaster record · FIPS 21191 · population 14,625 · 277 sq mi
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 315 records for Pendleton County, Kentucky from 1950 through June 30, 2026, on 241 days; the most frequent are severe thunderstorm wind events (128 records). The deadliest single record is the March 1, 1997 flood, filed for the forecast zone Pendleton, which covers the county: 5 deaths and $64.3 million in damage in 2025 dollars. FEMA has issued 22 declarations naming the county since 1968, 20 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
- 315on 241 days, 1950 to June 30, 2026
- Deaths recorded
- 11358 injuries
- Damage, 2025 dollars
- $306Mas filed (scale steps before 1993)
- Tornadoes
- 9strongest F4
- FEMA declarations
- 22latest 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 Pendleton County most?
The most frequent records are severe thunderstorm wind events: 128 since 1959. 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 | 128 | 101 | 1959-2026 | 0 | 1 | $1.3M | 55 of 118 |
| Floods | 70 | 48 | 1996-2026 | 6 | 0 | $83M | 43 of 118 |
| Winter storms | 56 | 56 | 1996-2026 | 0 | 0 | $376K | 47 of 118 |
| Hail | 27 | 24 | 1968-2024 | 0 | 0 | $15K | 93 of 118 |
| High wind and dust storms | 13 | 13 | 1996-2026 | 0 | 0 | $2.5M | 42 of 118 |
| Tornadoes | 9 | 9 | 1956-2020 | 4 | 357 | $218M | 60 of 118 |
| Heat | 7 | 7 | 1999-2023 | 0 | 0 | – | 43 of 118 |
| Extreme cold | 3 | 3 | 1996-2022 | 0 | 0 | $699K | 102 of 118 |
| Heavy rain | 1 | 1 | 2013-2013 | 0 | 0 | – | 85 of 118 |
| Lightning | 1 | 1 | 2005-2005 | 1 | 0 | – | 63 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 Pendleton County had?
NOAA records 9 tornadoes in Pendleton County from 1956 to 2020, the strongest rated F4, with 4 deaths and 357 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 9 tornadoes whose track touched Pendleton County since 1950 (NOAA's county records number 9, the same count); along their whole tracks they killed 9 people, 4 of them in Pendleton County.
| Date | Tornado | Rating | Path | Killed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1968-04-23 12:41, as SPC files it | West UnionCrossed KY, OH | F4 | 78.7 mi | 6 |
| 2012-03-02 15:39, as SPC files it | Moscow to HamersvilleCrossed KY, OH | EF3 | 20.41 mi | 3 |
Map of the strongest tornado tracks in Kentucky.
Every tornado record filed for Pendleton County (9)
| Date | Place | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020-04-08 | Locust Grove, Pendleton County | EF1 16.19 mi x 400 yd | 0 | 0 | $40K |
| 2015-12-23 | Greenwood, Pendleton County | EF1 3.75 mi x 420 yd | 0 | 3 | $149K |
| 2012-03-02 | Peach Grove, Pendleton County | EF3 4 mi x 440 yd | 0 | 0 | $2.6M |
| 2011-04-23 | Knoxville, Pendleton County | EF1 2.81 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | $7K |
| 2008-06-04 | Peach Grove, Pendleton County | EF0 0.21 mi x 25 yd | 0 | 0 | $82K |
| 1996-05-08 | Butler, Pendleton County | F2 2 mi x 200 yd | 0 | 2 | $141K |
| 1989-11-15 | Pendleton County | F1 0.2 mi x 200 yd | 0 | 2 | $25K step |
| 1968-04-23 | Pendleton County | F4 8 mi x 300 yd | 4 | 350 | $25M step |
| 1956-07-19 | Pendleton County | F2 21.4 mi x 33 yd | 0 | 0 | $250K 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 Pendleton County?
The most recent record with damage, injuries or deaths is the June 18, 2026 thunderstorm wind ($100,000 in damage in 2025 dollars).
The National Weather Service conducted a damage survey across portions of Pendleton County. The survey team noted extensive tree damage across the southern half of the county. Some of the more significant damage occurred near several neighborhoods south of Falmouth, where numerous trees were uprooted/snapped at the base, along with structural damage to several homes and outbuildings. Most of the observed damage from these buildings was a loss of roofing material, but there were a couple of outbuildings that had collapsed walls that led to a complete failure of the structure. This type of damage is consistent with winds of 80-85 mph. There was additional tree damage in western portions of the county, as well as southeastern portions near McKinneysburg. …
National Weather Service event narrative, NOAA Storm Events Database (search the full record, event 1343274)
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-06-18 | Thunderstorm WindFalmouth, Pendleton County | 70 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $100K |
| 2026-05-22 | Flash FloodButler, Pendleton County | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-05-16 | Thunderstorm WindBoston, Pendleton County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $1K |
| 2026-05-16 | Thunderstorm WindFalmouth, Pendleton County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $1K |
| 2026-05-16 | Thunderstorm WindHayes, Pendleton County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $2K |
| 2026-05-16 | Thunderstorm WindDe Mossville, Pendleton County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $1K |
| 2026-04-28 | Thunderstorm WindMc Kinneysburg, Pendleton County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $4K |
| 2026-04-28 | Thunderstorm WindFalmouth, Pendleton County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $7K |
| 2026-03-15 | Strong WindPendleton County · forecast zone Pendleton | 46 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-03-13 | Strong WindPendleton County · forecast zone Pendleton | 39 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-02-03 | Winter StormPendleton County · forecast zone Pendleton | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-01-24 | Winter StormPendleton County · forecast zone Pendleton | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997-03-01 | FloodPendleton County · forecast zone Pendleton Persistent heavy rainfall occurred for nearly 36 hours on the 1st and 2nd. Up to 12 inches of rain fell across parts of Northern Kentucky bringing the Licking river at Falmouth out of it's banks. On the evening of the 2nd, the river crested at over 50 feet, which is the highest stage on record. The crest is an ... | 5 | 0 | $64M | |
| 1968-04-23 | TornadoPendleton County | F4 8 mi x 300 yd | 4 | 350 | $25M step |
| 2025-04-07 | FloodButler, Pendleton County A man died of a heart attack while launching his canoe into the flooded Licking River. | 1 | 0 | – | |
| 2005-06-14 | LightningPeach Grove, Pendleton County A man was struck by lightning as he walked along State Route 154 in Peach Grove. He later died at the hospital. | 1 | 0 | – | |
| 2015-12-23 | TornadoGreenwood, Pendleton County Damage was first observed just north of the intersection of U.S. Route 27 and Bethel Loop. This location is south of Butler and northwest of Falmouth in Pendleton County. A mobile home originally anchored into the ground at 8-10 points was tilted and briefly lifted before rolling onto its top on the east side of ... | EF1 3.75 mi x 420 yd | 0 | 3 | $149K |
| 1996-05-08 | TornadoButler, Pendleton County Tornado hit just south of Butler, near US 27 ripping apart a two story brick home and destroying two barns. A car was severely damaged and numerous trees and utility lines were downed. | F2 2 mi x 200 yd | 0 | 2 | $141K |
| 1989-11-15 | TornadoPendleton County | F1 0.2 mi x 200 yd | 0 | 2 | $25K step |
| 2000-11-09 | Thunderstorm WindCountywide, Pendleton County Thunderstorm winds knocked down numerous trees, one of which fell on a car injuring one person. An unattached garage was destroyed. | 60 kt wind | 0 | 1 | $86K |
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.
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997-03-01 | FloodPendleton County · forecast zone Pendleton | 5 | 0 | $64M | |
| 1997-03-01 | Flash FloodCountywide, Pendleton County | 0 | 0 | $18M | |
| 2008-09-14 | High WindPendleton County · forecast zone Pendleton | 55 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $2.5M |
| 1996-01-06 | Winter StormPendleton County · forecast zone Pendleton | 0 | 0 | $376K | |
| 2000-01-03 | Thunderstorm WindDe Mossville, Pendleton County | 78 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $343K |
| 2015-12-23 | TornadoGreenwood, Pendleton County | EF1 3.75 mi x 420 yd | 0 | 3 | $149K |
| 1996-05-08 | TornadoButler, Pendleton County | F2 2 mi x 200 yd | 0 | 2 | $141K |
| 2026-06-18 | Thunderstorm WindFalmouth, Pendleton County | 70 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $100K |
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 $25M, in the dollars of the day) holds: April 23, 1968 (tornado, Pendleton County, 4 killed).
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 Pendleton 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 | 2 | 5 | 17 | 28 | 46 | 29 |
| Floods | – | – | – | – | 6 | 24 | 24 | 16 |
| Winter storms | – | – | – | – | 6 | 11 | 30 | 9 |
| Hail | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 10 | 8 | 1 |
| High wind and dust storms | – | – | – | – | 1 | 6 | 1 | 5 |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records per calendar decade; zone records from the CZ_TYPE field (Z).
What time of year?
Records by month in Pendleton County. The two busiest months are in violet.
The values, month by month
Jan 25 · Feb 31 · Mar 32 · Apr 49 · May 36 · Jun 39 · Jul 34 · Aug 19 · Sep 12 · Oct 5 · Nov 10 · Dec 23 (records).
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records by the month they began.
Federal disaster declarations for Pendleton County
FEMA's register lists 22 declarations that include Pendleton County: 15 major disasters, 7 emergencies and 0 fire management assistance declarations. Most were for severe storm (9) and snowstorm (4).
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 2015-04-30 | DR-4216 | Snowstorm | Severe Winter Storms, Snowstorms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| 2012-03-06 | DR-4057 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds and Flooding |
| 2011-05-04 | DR-1976 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| 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 |
| 2003-03-14 | DR-1454 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Ice and Snow Storms, Heavy Rain, Flooding, Tornadoes, and Mud and |
| 2000-02-28 | DR-1320 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms 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 |
| 1989-02-24 | DR-821 | Flood | Severe Storms & Flooding |
| 1968-05-04 | DR-237 | Tornado | Tornadoes & Severe Storms |
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 Pendleton County had?
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 70 flood or flash flood records for Pendleton County from 1996 to 2026, on 48 days, with 6 deaths. By flood insurance claims since 1978 (OpenFEMA, as of September 8, 2026), Pendleton County ranks 1003rd of 2,942 U.S. counties.
The National Flood Insurance Program has paid $5.3 million on 180 claims filed in Pendleton County; the most in one year was 141 in 1997. Claims count insured losses only: uninsured flood damage is not in this file.
The values, year by year
1978: 1 · 1983: 1 · 1984: 1 · 1989: 1 · 1990: 1 · 1997: 141 · 2000: 8 · 2003: 1 · 2009: 1 · 2010: 1 · 2013: 1 · 2019: 1 · 2020: 1 · 2023: 1 · 2025: 19; 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 Pendleton County
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Pendleton County Very Low overall, with an expected annual loss of $9.2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate | $491K | 51 a year (modeled) |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate | $668K | 4.4 a year (modeled) |
| Tornado | Relatively Low | $1.2M | once in about 6 years (modeled) |
| Riverine Flooding | Relatively Low | $6.1M | 1.6 a year (modeled) |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low | $31K | about once a year (modeled) |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low | $370K | 1.7 a year (modeled) |
| Landslide | Very Low | $2K | about once a year (modeled) |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | $170K | 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 Pendleton 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 Pendleton CountyThe hazard risk calculator: 18 hazards beside the county's record
- Download Pendleton County's FEMA declarations (CSV)22 rows: every declaration that named the county, for your own analysis