Monroe County, Kentucky tornadoes

Checking live National Weather Service warnings for Monroe County...

13confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1989). Most recent: May 26, 2024, EF1. 2026 so far: 0 preliminary reports preliminary

Join the free alerts waiting list
Map

Every tornado path in the county

Tornado paths, 1950 to 2025
Use two fingers to move the map
(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 Monroe County

Loading warnings...

The record

At a glance

Total131950 to 2025
Per year0.2average since 1950
Peak monthMay4 of 13
StrongestEF3Feb 5, 2008
Deaths26whole paths, see note
Injuries74whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

40 Jan: 0Feb: 2Mar: 1Apr: 2May: 4Jun: 1Jul: 0Aug: 0Sep: 0Oct: 1Nov: 0Dec: 2JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

May is the peak month, with 4 of 13 tornadoes.

By time of day

20 12 AM: 0: 1: 03 AM: 0: 2: 06 AM: 1: 2: 09 AM: 0: 0: 112 PM: 0: 1: 03 PM: 0: 0: 06 PM: 1: 1: 19 PM: 0: 2: 012 AM3 AM6 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PM9 PM

Most often around 4:00 AM. Times as recorded by NOAA, mostly Central Standard Time.

By year, 1950 to 2025

20 1950: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01960: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01970: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01980: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 11990: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 02000: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 2: 22010: 1: 2: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 02020: 0: 2: 0: 1: 1: 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
7
EF2
2
EF3
2

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

EF3, February 5, 2008

22 deaths, 63 injuries Strongest

EF3, February 5, 2008

50.32 mile path Longest path

50.32 miles, EF3

February 5, 2008, whole path Widest

880 yards, EF3

February 5, 2008
Every tornado

All 13 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
May 26, 2024EF11.11 mi100 yd00
Dec 9, 2023EF12.86 mi50 yd00
Dec 11, 2021EF111.18 mi75 yd00
May 3, 2021EF10.5 mi60 yd00
Apr 27, 2011EF15.94 mi550 yd00
Apr 4, 2011EF10.19 mi75 yd00
May 2, 2010EF05.7 mi50 yd00
Oct 9, 2009EF215.82 mi880 yd00
Jun 11, 2009EF11.37 mi150 yd00
Feb 6, 2008EF39.44 mi440 yd411
Feb 5, 2008EF350.32 mi880 yd2263
Mar 1, 1997F24 mi500 yd00
May 22, 1989F01 mi50 yd00
Nearby

Nearby counties

Coming soon

Free tornado alerts for Monroe County

We are building free email alerts for tornado warnings. Join the waiting list and we will email you once when they are ready. Until then, please rely on the National Weather Service and your phone's emergency alerts.

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