Pendleton County, Kentucky tornadoes

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

9confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1956). Most recent: April 8, 2020, 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.

The record

At a glance

Total91950 to 2025
Per year0.1average since 1950
Peak monthApril3 of 9
StrongestF4Apr 23, 1968
Deaths9whole paths, see note
Injuries384whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

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

April is the peak month, with 3 of 9 tornadoes.

By time of day

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

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

By year, 1950 to 2025

10 1950: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 01960: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 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: 1: 0: 0: 02000: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 02010: 0: 1: 1: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 02020: 1: 0: 0: 0: 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
1
EF1
4
EF2
2
EF3
1
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 23, 1968

6 deaths, 364 injuries Strongest

F4, April 23, 1968

78.7 mile path Longest path

78.7 miles, F4

April 23, 1968, whole path Widest

550 yards, F4

April 23, 1968
Every tornado

All 9 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Apr 8, 2020EF119.2 mi400 yd00
Dec 23, 2015EF13.75 mi420 yd03
Mar 2, 2012EF320.41 mi440 yd313
Apr 23, 2011EF14.28 mi50 yd00
Jun 4, 2008EF00.21 mi25 yd00
May 8, 1996F22 mi200 yd02
Nov 15, 1989F10.2 mi200 yd02
Apr 23, 1968F478.7 mi550 yd6364
Jul 19, 1956F221.4 mi10 yd00
Nearby

Nearby counties

Coming soon

Free tornado alerts for Pendleton 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 12, 2026.