Madison County, Kentucky tornadoes

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19confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1955). Most recent: January 12, 2023, EF1. 2026 so far: 0 preliminary reports preliminary

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Map

Every tornado path in the county

Tornado paths, 1950 to 2025
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(E)F0(E)F1(E)F2(E)F3(E)F4(E)F5Unrated

Each path is a straight line from where the tornado started to where it ended, which is all most NOAA records hold. Tap a path for its details.

Recent warnings

Recent warnings in Madison County

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The record

At a glance

Total191950 to 2025
Per year0.3average since 1950
Peak monthApril9 of 19
StrongestF4Apr 3, 1974
Deaths9whole paths, see note
Injuries61whole paths, see note

Deaths and injuries are NOAA's totals for each tornado's whole path, which can extend beyond Madison County.

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

90 Jan: 2Feb: 0Mar: 1Apr: 9May: 3Jun: 1Jul: 0Aug: 1Sep: 0Oct: 0Nov: 0Dec: 2JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

April is the peak month, with 9 of 19 tornadoes.

By time of day

30 12 AM: 0: 0: 03 AM: 3: 1: 06 AM: 0: 0: 19 AM: 0: 1: 012 PM: 2: 1: 23 PM: 2: 2: 16 PM: 3: 0: 09 PM: 0: 0: 012 AM3 AM6 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PM9 PM

Most often around 3:00 AM. Times as recorded by NOAA, mostly Central Standard Time.

By year, 1950 to 2025

20 1950: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 2: 0: 0: 1: 01960: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 01970: 0: 0: 1: 0: 2: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01980: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01990: 1: 1: 0: 0: 1: 0: 1: 0: 0: 02000: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 12010: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 2: 0: 0: 0: 02020: 0: 2: 1: 1: 0: 019501960197019801990200020102020

The line is the five-year average. Tornadoes before about 1953 were under-reported, and better radar since the 1990s finds more weak ones.

By rating

EF0
2
EF1
9
EF2
5
EF3
2
EF4
1

Ratings before February 2007 use the original F scale; the numbers line up with today's EF scale. Unknown means NOAA could not assign a rating.

The record

Notable tornadoes

Deadliest

F4, April 3, 1974

7 deaths, 28 injuries Strongest

F4, April 3, 1974

31.9 mile path Longest path

31.9 miles, F4

April 3, 1974, whole path Widest

215 yards, EF1

April 7, 2015
Every tornado

All 19 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Jan 12, 2023EF11.2 mi80 yd00
Jan 1, 2022EF11.75 mi125 yd00
Dec 11, 2021EF11.2 mi125 yd00
Dec 11, 2021EF10.25 mi75 yd00
Apr 7, 2015EF12 mi215 yd00
Apr 7, 2015EF00.6 mi35 yd00
May 8, 2009EF321.12 mi150 yd215
May 11, 2003F11 mi75 yd00
Apr 20, 1996F22 mi200 yd010
Apr 15, 1994F01 mi50 yd00
Apr 9, 1991F14 mi50 yd00
May 21, 1990F20.5 mi50 yd01
Apr 3, 1974F24.7 mi10 yd00
Apr 3, 1974F431.9 mi10 yd728
Aug 19, 1972F20.1 mi10 yd01
Jun 6, 1966F218.5 mi67 yd02
Apr 20, 1958F10.1 mi10 yd00
Apr 24, 1955F12.7 mi10 yd02
Mar 4, 1955F38.9 mi10 yd02
Nearby

Nearby counties

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Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center severe weather database, 1950 to 2025, and SPC preliminary reports for 2026. Page built October 13, 2026.