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Tornado History

Kentucky Tornado History

This page summarizes tornado history for Kentucky. The local dataset contains 1,349 tornado records from 1950 through 2025, with a strongest listed rating of F5 (Incredible damage) and at least $1.1B in reported property damage. The latest tornado record in this group is December 18, 2025. Across these records, NOAA lists 232 deaths and 3,549 injuries.

Key Tornado Statistics

Total Tornadoes1,349
Total Deaths232
Total Injuries3,549
Property Damage$1.1B
Avg Length4.2 mi
Avg Width175 yd

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Key Tornado Facts for Kentucky

Top local patterns from the historical tornado records in this group.

Average 17.8 tornadoes per year (39.7/yr in last decade)
April is the peak tornado month with 337 recorded events
Deadliest tornado: F5 in Kentucky with 31 deaths
2011 was the most active year with 70 tornadoes
The 2010s had the most tornado activity (364 events)
Longest tornado: 53.5 miles in Kentucky
Widest tornado: 3,000.0 yards in Kentucky
Most tornadoes in one day: 52 on Apr 3, 1974

Monthly Distribution

Shows tornado frequency across months of the year, highlighting seasonal patterns and peak tornado periods.

January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December

Summary: In Kentucky, April is the most active month with 337 tornadoes.

Annual Tornado Trend

Shows year-by-year tornado counts, making active years and quiet stretches easier to spot.

7047240

Summary: 2011 was the most active year with 70 recorded tornadoes.

Tornado Intensity Distribution

Shows the breakdown of tornadoes by EF/F rating.

F0
EF0
F1
EF1
F2
EF2
F3
EF3
F4
EF4
F5
EFU

Summary: EF1 tornadoes are the most common in this group, with 383 recorded events.

Property Damage Trends

Visualizes reported property damage over time. Bars use a log-like scale so very large damage years do not flatten the rest of the chart.

$150.9M$15.1M$1.5M$0

Summary: The highest reported property damage year in this group is 2012 with at least $150.9M in NOAA-listed property damage.

Tornado Count By County

Compares the counties with the most tornado records in this state dataset.

Christian
Calloway
Graves
Jefferson
Daviess
Union
Warren
Henderson
McCracken
Hardin
Trigg
Marshall
Muhlenberg
Logan
Pulaski
Webster
Ballard
Barren
Todd
Shelby

Summary: Christian County has the highest count in this state group with 54 tornado records.

Historical Track Sketch

F5 April 3, 19741974F5 April 3, 19741974F5 April 3, 19741974F4 May 28, 19961996F4 November 15, 20052005F4 April 23, 19681968EF4 March 2, 20122012F4 April 3, 19741974F4 November 22, 19921992F4 March 4, 19641964F4 March 4, 19641964F4 April 3, 19741974F4 April 3, 19741974F4 April 3, 19741974F4 April 3, 1974F4 April 3, 1974F4 April 3, 1974F4 November 22, 1992F4 April 3, 1974F4 April 3, 1974F4 April 3, 1974F4 April 4, 1968F4 April 4, 1968F4 April 4, 1968F4 April 4, 1968F4 April 3, 1974F4 April 3, 1974F4 April 3, 1974F4 April 3, 1974F4 April 3, 1974F4 April 3, 1974F4 April 3, 1974F4 April 3, 1974F4 April 3, 1974F4 April 3, 1974EF4 December 10, 2021EF4 December 10, 2021EF4 December 10, 2021EF4 December 10, 2021EF4 December 10, 2021EF4 December 10, 2021EF4 May 16, 2025EF4 May 16, 2025EF3 March 2, 2012F3 January 3, 2000F3 May 23, 2000F3 April 2, 2006F3 April 3, 1974F3 May 9, 1988EF3 March 2, 2012EF3 February 5, 2008F3 April 28, 2002EF3 May 16, 2025EF3 October 18, 2007F3 April 16, 1998EF3 March 2, 2012F3 November 15, 2005F3 May 27, 2004F3 November 6, 2005F3 January 3, 2000EF3 February 5, 2008EF3 May 10, 2016F3 April 16, 1998EF3 May 26, 2024F3 February 10, 1959F3 June 28, 1960F3 May 7, 1961F3 May 7, 1961F3 May 7, 1961F3 May 7, 1961F3 May 7, 1961F3 May 7, 1961F3 June 9, 1961F3 June 9, 1961F3 April 1, 1974F3 April 3, 1974F3 April 3, 1974F3 April 3, 1974F3 April 3, 1974F3 April 3, 1974© OpenStreetMap contributors

Notable Tornado Records

The table highlights the strongest and most damaging records in this page's local dataset. Damage totals are NOAA-reported minimum estimates where available.

DateRatingAreaLengthWidthDeathsInjuriesMin. property damage
April 3, 1974F5Meade, Kentucky10 mi440 yd31257$2.5M
April 3, 1974F5Breckinridge, Kentucky17.1 mi440 yd013$2.5M
April 3, 1974F5Boone, Kentucky14 mi33 yd020$2.5M
May 28, 1996F4Bullitt, Kentucky13.8 mi575 yd010$100.0M
November 15, 2005F4Hopkins, Kentucky15 mi800 yd040$31.0M
April 23, 1968F4Pendleton, Kentucky8 mi300 yd4350$25.0M
March 2, 2012EF4Kenton, Kentucky8.52 mi880 yd48$20.0M
November 22, 1992F4Carroll, Kentucky16 mi60 yd19$2.5M
April 3, 1974F4Green, Kentucky5.7 mi33 yd03$2.5M
April 3, 1974F4Franklin, Kentucky18.9 mi33 yd485$250K
March 4, 1964F4Marshall, Kentucky13.6 mi250 yd316$250K
April 3, 1974F4Hardin, Kentucky9.9 mi400 yd257$250K

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Top County Pages

Top Location Pages

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Source And Limits

Data source: NOAA/NCEI. TornadoTrace summarizes historical records for screening and research. Coordinates, damage estimates, narratives, and event details can be approximate, incomplete, revised, or missing. Do not use this page as legal, insurance, engineering, real estate, emergency management, or safety advice.