Kentucky tornadoes
Every recorded tornado since 1950 · 119 counties with a record
Kentucky has recorded 1,261 tornadoes from 1950 through 2025, about 30 a year since 2000, with 103 rated F3/EF3 or stronger (NOAA Storm Prediction Center). The deadliest was the December 10, 2021 Mayfield to Hartford tornado (57 deaths in Kentucky). Kentucky ranks 23rd of 52 states and territories by count and 20th of 51 per square mile.
Tornadoes in Kentucky, 1950 to 2025
Tornadoes per year (SPC; a tornado that crossed a state line counts in each state it touched).
- recorded, no damage figure
- under $1 million
- $1 million or more
- $10 million or more
- $100 million or more, or 10 deaths
- $1 billion or more, or 100 deaths
- a year's colour: its recorded damage or deaths
- a year with a death
- 1996: tornado reports rose with NEXRAD Doppler radar, mid-1990s (SPC)
- Tornadoes
- 1,2611950 to 2025
- A year since 2000
- 30average
- Deaths
- 2423,758 injuries
- F3/EF3 or stronger
- 1038% of tornadoes
- Busiest year
- 201162 tornadoes
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center tornado database, 1950-2025 (state segments). SPC severe weather database.
Are tornadoes common in Kentucky?
Kentucky averages about 30 tornadoes a year since 2000, 23rd of 52 states and territories by count. The busiest year on record was 2011 (62). Per 10,000 square miles of land, Kentucky records 319 tornadoes since 1950, 20th of 51 states and territories by that measure.
Source: NOAA SPC, tornadoes 1950-2025, per 10,000 square miles of land area (Census Bureau 2024 Gazetteer; places under 1,000 square miles not ranked). Damage colours: Storm Events damage, 2025 dollars.
Which counties in Kentucky have the most tornadoes?
Per square mile, Calloway County leads Kentucky: 38 days with a tornado record since 1950, 98.7 per 1,000 square miles of land. By raw count, Christian County has the most tornado records (57 since 1950); large counties collect more records simply by covering more ground, so the ranking counts days with a record per unit of area (a storm filed for several forecast zones adds several records but one day).
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, days with a record in the county since 1950 per 1,000 square miles of land (Census Bureau 2024 Gazetteer); in brackets, the count of records.
When is tornado season in Kentucky?
42% of its tornadoes since 1950 fell in April and May. The busiest month is April (300 tornadoes).
The values, month by month
Jan 69 · Feb 84 · Mar 137 · Apr 300 · May 225 · Jun 139 · Jul 78 · Aug 28 · Sep 23 · Oct 66 · Nov 64 · Dec 48 (records).
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center tornado database, state segments by the month they began, 1950-2025.
What were the deadliest tornadoes in Kentucky?
| Date | Counties | Rating | Path in state | Killed | Injured |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021-12-10 | Mayfield to Hartford · Fulton, Hickman, Graves, MarshallWhole track: KY, TN; 57 deaths | EF4 | 166.41 mi | 57 | 515 |
| 1974-04-03 | Brandenburg · Breckinridge, MeadeWhole track: IN, KY; 31 deaths | F5 | 27.1 mi | 31 | 270 |
| 2025-05-16 | Somerset to London · Russell, Pulaski, Laurel | EF4 | 60.08 mi | 18 | 0 |
| 2021-12-11 | Bowling Green · Warren, Edmonson | EF3 | 29.26 mi | 16 | 63 |
| 2012-03-02 | West Liberty · Menifee, Morgan, Lawrence, JohnsonWhole track: KY, WV; 10 deaths | EF3 | 59.5 mi | 10 | 118 |
| 1974-04-03 | Cumberland, Clinton, Wayne | F4 | 38.4 mi | 10 | 113 |
| 1974-04-03 | Livingston · Pulaski, Laurel, Rockcastle | F3 | 22.3 mi | 7 | 40 |
| 1974-04-03 | Garrard, Madison, Clark | F4 | 31.9 mi | 7 | 28 |
| 1971-04-27 | Columbia · Green, Adair | F4 | 14.1 mi | 6 | 58 |
| 2012-03-02 | East Bernstadt · Laurel | EF2 | 7.15 mi | 6 | 40 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center tornado database (state segments: deaths and path inside Kentucky), 1950-2025; counties are the first four the SPC lists for the segment. SPC severe weather database.
Where have the strongest tornadoes tracked in Kentucky?
- F2/EF2
- F3/EF3
- F4/EF4
- F5/EF5
- no end point filed
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center tornado database, 1950-2025, start and end points of each track; county lines: Census Bureau cartographic boundaries (2017), via us-atlas. SPC severe weather database. Census cartographic boundary files.
The strongest tornadoes in Kentucky
| Date | Counties | Rating | Path in state | Width | Killed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1974-04-03 | Brandenburg · Breckinridge, Meade | F5 | 27.1 mi | 440 yd | 31 |
| 1974-04-03 | Sayler Park · Boone | F5 | 14 mi | 533 yd | 0 |
| 2021-12-10 | Mayfield to Hartford · Fulton, Hickman, Graves, Marshall | EF4 | 166.41 mi | 2,600 yd | 57 |
| 2025-05-16 | Somerset to London · Russell, Pulaski, Laurel | EF4 | 60.08 mi | 1,700 yd | 18 |
| 1974-04-03 | Cumberland, Clinton, Wayne | F4 | 38.4 mi | 10 yd | 10 |
| 1974-04-03 | Garrard, Madison, Clark | F4 | 31.9 mi | 10 yd | 7 |
| 1971-04-27 | Columbia · Green, Adair | F4 | 14.1 mi | 100 yd | 6 |
| 1968-04-23 | West Union · Pendleton, Bracken, Edmonson | F4 | 27.1 mi | 550 yd | 5 |
| 1974-04-03 | Frankfort · Anderson, Franklin, Scott | F4 | 79.4 mi | 10 yd | 4 |
| 2012-03-02 | Crittenden · Grant, Kenton | EF4 | 9.85 mi | 880 yd | 4 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center tornado database; F scale before February 1, 2007, EF scale after.
The longest tornado paths in Kentucky
| Date | Tornado and counties | Rating | Path in state | Width | Killed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021-12-10 | Mayfield to Hartford · Fulton, Hickman, Graves, Marshall | EF4 | 166.41 mi | 2,600 yd | 57 |
| 1974-04-03 | Frankfort · Anderson, Franklin, Scott | F4 | 79.4 mi | 10 yd | 4 |
| 2025-05-16 | Somerset to London · Russell, Pulaski, Laurel | EF4 | 60.08 mi | 1,700 yd | 18 |
| 2012-03-02 | West Liberty · Menifee, Morgan, Lawrence, Johnson | EF3 | 59.5 mi | 1,580 yd | 10 |
| 1961-05-07 | Madisonville · Hopkins, Muhlenberg, Ohio, Grayson | F3 | 58 mi | 880 yd | 0 |
| 1968-04-03 | Murray · Calloway, Marshall, Trigg, Caldwell | F4 | 50.6 mi | 100 yd | 2 |
| 1964-06-15 | Georgetown · Scott, Harrison, Nicholas, Fleming | F2 | 49.3 mi | 10 yd | 0 |
| 1998-04-16 | Bowling Green to Glasgow · Logan, Lawrence, Allen, Barren | F3 | 48 mi | 100 yd | 2 |
| 2012-03-02 | Salyersville to Warfield · Wolfe, Magoffin, Johnson, Martin | EF3 | 47.84 mi | 1,320 yd | 2 |
| 2005-11-15 | Benton · Graves, Calloway, Marshall, Lyon | F3 | 44 mi | 500 yd | 1 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center tornado database, state segments: path length and width inside the state. SPC severe weather database.
Tornadoes in every Kentucky county
All 120 counties: tornadoes whose track touched each, and the strongest
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center tornado database: whole tornadoes whose track touched the county (any state segment listing it). SPC severe weather database.
Is Kentucky in Tornado Alley?
Tornado Alley has no official boundary; the Storm Prediction Center calls it a media nickname for the central U.S. area of relatively high tornado occurrence. By the record, Kentucky ranks 15th of 50 states for tornadoes rated 1 or higher per square mile since 1950 (232 per 10,000 square miles).
Tornado Alley, measured: the states by density and maps of where tornadoes began in two eras.
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center tornado database and Online Tornado FAQ. SPC's tornado FAQ.
The costliest tornadoes in Kentucky
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996-05-28 | TornadoBrooks, Bullitt County The supercell that crossed the Ohio River from Harrison county produced the second a most destructive tornado in its long history. This second tornado formed 4 miles northwest of Brooks at 540 pm est in extreme south central Jefferson county. The tornado was initially estimated at F0-F1 intensity and moved ... | F4 13.8 mi x 575 yd | 0 | 10 | $188M |
| 2000-01-03 | TornadoRome, Daviess County The tornado first touched down near the community of Rome, just southwest of Owensboro, and entered the city near the southern boundary of Owensboro Airport. The tornado tracked northeast through the heart of Owensboro before dissipating on the east side of town. Peak winds were estimated at 180 MPH. Since the tornado ... | F3 7 mi x 880 yd | 0 | 18 | $110M |
| 2012-03-02 | TornadoArtville, Morgan County A storm damage survey team from the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Jackson, Kentucky confirmed that an EF-3 tornado tracked from Menifee County into Morgan County on March 2, 2012. The tornado entered Morgan County at around 546 pm EST, just to the northwest of Ezel, and tracked east-northeast making a ... | EF3 25.56 mi x 1,580 yd | 6 | 80 | $96M |
| 2000-05-23 | TornadoLeitchfield, Grayson County A storm survey was done by NWS personnel on Wednesday May 24. The survey found severe damage to residential and industrial structures. Three vortices combined into a single tornado north of Leitchfield, then moved east to southeast at 40 to 45 mph. The path moved through the northeast and east sections of Leitchfield ... | F3 6 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 16 | $86M |
| 2006-04-02 | TornadoGracey, Christian County The tornado formed from a long-track supercell that originated in southeast Missouri near Poplar Bluff. The tornado began less than two miles from the Trigg County line with an east-southeast movement, then curved slightly left before crossing Highway 91. The tornado moved east-northeast across central Christian ... | F3 19.5 mi x 700 yd | 0 | 22 | $51M |
| 2005-11-15 | TornadoEarlington, Hopkins County This violent tornado reached its peak intensity on the north side of Earlington, near the beginning of its track. Peak winds there were estimated near 220 MPH. Several houses in this area, on either side of U.S. Highway 41, were levelled. Large oak trees were reduced to nubs, and the ground was scoured to bare dirt. A ... | F4 15 mi x 800 yd | 0 | 40 | $47M |
| 2012-03-02 | TornadoCutuno, Magoffin County A storm damage survey team from the National Weather Service in Jackson, Kentucky confirmed a tornado moved across Magoffin County during the evening hours of March 2, 2012. The tornado crossed from Wolfe County into Magoffin County at approximately 651 pm EST and rapidly intensified. The tornado crossed the Mountain ... | EF3 17.92 mi x 1,320 yd | 0 | 30 | $32M |
| 2008-02-05 | TornadoGreenville, Muhlenberg County Countywide, a total of 69 homes were destroyed and 203 were damaged. Of the 203 damaged homes, 56 sustained major damage. Most of the damage occurred in the communities of Greenville and Powderly, where 48 homes were destroyed and 32 sustained major damage (35 to 40 percent were mobile homes). The primary focus of ... | EF3 18.05 mi x 375 yd | 3 | 24 | $29M |
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); May 9, 1988 (tornado, Bell County, 1 killed); March 10, 1986 (tornado, Fayette County); March 20, 1982 (tornado, Shelby County); May 21, 1990 (tornado, Madison County).
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database: property and crop damage as estimated by the National Weather Service, in 2025 dollars.
Are tornadoes becoming more frequent in Kentucky?
Kentucky's count per decade against the whole country's, and its share. The Storm Prediction Center notes that tornado reports rose especially around the installation of the NEXRAD Doppler radar network in the mid-1990s, so a rising count is partly better detection; the share of the national total is the fairer comparison across decades.
| Decade | Kentucky | United States | Kentucky's share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 36 | 4,837 | 0.7% |
| 1960s | 66 | 6,863 | 1.0% |
| 1970s | 118 | 8,633 | 1.4% |
| 1980s | 90 | 8,250 | 1.1% |
| 1990s | 176 | 12,205 | 1.4% |
| 2000s | 237 | 12,892 | 1.8% |
| 2010s | 319 | 12,232 | 2.6% |
| 2020-25 | 219 | 8,234 | 2.7% |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center tornado database, state segments.
The most recent tornadoes in Kentucky
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-06-21 | TornadoClifton Mills, Breckinridge County | EF1 1.15 mi x 70 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-06-21 | TornadoMystic, Breckinridge County | EF0 0.92 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-06-21 | TornadoHawesville, Hancock County | EF0 3.49 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-06-18 | TornadoMilton, Trimble County | EF1 2.62 mi x 1,000 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-06-18 | TornadoBreckinridge, Harrison County | EF0 0.62 mi x 80 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-06-18 | TornadoWashington, Mason County | EF2 1.97 mi x 150 yd | 0 | 0 | $500K |
| 2026-06-18 | TornadoDelia, Grant County | EF1 6.38 mi x 150 yd | 0 | 0 | $250K |
| 2026-06-18 | TornadoPrestonville, Carroll County | EF1 8.73 mi x 750 yd | 0 | 0 | $100K |
| 2026-06-17 | TornadoErlanger, Kenton County | EF1 1.41 mi x 400 yd | 0 | 0 | $10K |
| 2026-06-17 | TornadoLimaburg, Boone County | EF1 4.77 mi x 400 yd | 0 | 0 | $250K |
| 2026-06-17 | TornadoBelleview, Boone County | EF0 1.25 mi x 450 yd | 0 | 0 | $500 |
| 2026-05-22 | TornadoMorgantown, Butler County | EF0 0.3 mi x 30 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records through June 30, 2026; the newest months are revised by NCEI as reports arrive. Search the record at NCEI.
Federal disaster declarations for tornadoes in Kentucky
FEMA has declared 35 disasters in Kentucky for tornadoes, counting its incident type and declarations that name tornado in the title (FEMA files most storm disasters under Severe Storm); 33 were major disasters, the latest on May 23, 2025.
| Declared | Number | Title | Areas named |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-05-23 | DR-4875 | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes | 39 |
| 2025-04-24 | DR-4864 | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides | 91 |
| 2025-04-03 | EM-3626 | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding | 120 |
| 2024-07-23 | DR-4804 | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, Landslides, and Mudslides | 58 |
| 2024-05-22 | DR-4782 | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, Landslides, and Mudslides | 11 |
| 2023-04-10 | DR-4702 | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides | 88 |
| 2022-02-27 | DR-4643 | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides | 13 |
| 2021-12-12 | DR-4630 | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, and Tornadoes | 23 |
| 2021-12-11 | EM-3575 | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, and Tornadoes | 16 |
| 2018-04-26 | DR-4361 | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides | 35 |
| 2016-08-26 | DR-4278 | Severe Storm, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides | 20 |
| 2015-08-12 | DR-4239 | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslide | 34 |
Source: FEMA OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (v2), through October 2, 2026. OpenFEMA dataset page.
Next
- Calloway County: the county's whole recordThe Kentucky county with the most tornadoes per square mile
- Tornadoes across the United StatesEvery state ranked, by year and month
- Every natural hazard in KentuckyTornadoes, floods, storms, heat and the federal declarations
- Severe thunderstorm wind in Kentucky19,621 records
- Floods in Kentucky8,294 records
- Winter storms in Kentucky8,092 records