Shelby County, Kentucky tornadoes

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21confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1951). Most recent: May 7, 2023, EF0. 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 Shelby County

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The record

At a glance

Total211950 to 2025
Per year0.3average since 1950
Peak monthJune7 of 21
StrongestF2Feb 20, 1951
Deaths0whole paths, see note
Injuries9whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

70 Jan: 0Feb: 3Mar: 5Apr: 4May: 1Jun: 7Jul: 1Aug: 0Sep: 0Oct: 0Nov: 0Dec: 0JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

June is the peak month, with 7 of 21 tornadoes.

By time of day

50 12 AM: 1: 0: 03 AM: 0: 0: 06 AM: 0: 1: 09 AM: 0: 0: 012 PM: 1: 2: 33 PM: 0: 0: 16 PM: 5: 2: 19 PM: 0: 2: 212 AM3 AM6 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PM9 PM

Most often around 6:00 PM. Times as recorded by NOAA, mostly Central Standard Time.

By year, 1950 to 2025

30 1950: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01960: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01970: 0: 1: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 11980: 0: 0: 2: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 11990: 1: 0: 1: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 02000: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 2: 02010: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 02020: 0: 0: 3: 2: 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
5
EF1
9
EF2
7

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

Strongest

F2, February 20, 1951

0.1 mile path Longest path

38.4 miles, F2

March 25, 1964, whole path Widest

440 yards, F0

June 10, 1985
Every tornado

All 21 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
May 7, 2023EF00.61 mi30 yd00
Mar 31, 2023EF13.98 mi130 yd00
Apr 13, 2022EF13.52 mi125 yd00
Apr 13, 2022EF10.21 mi100 yd00
Apr 13, 2022EF00.1 mi50 yd00
Mar 23, 2012EF12.17 mi50 yd00
Feb 5, 2008EF00.35 mi125 yd00
Feb 5, 2008EF26.99 mi250 yd00
Apr 2, 2006F12 mi150 yd00
Jun 14, 1993F00.5 mi20 yd00
Jun 18, 1992F12.5 mi150 yd00
Jun 2, 1990F21 mi100 yd00
Jun 12, 1989F11 mi40 yd00
Jun 10, 1985F04.5 mi440 yd00
Mar 20, 1982F220 mi200 yd00
Mar 20, 1982F21 mi30 yd08
Jun 29, 1979F119.8 mi100 yd00
Jun 27, 1973F10.8 mi10 yd00
Jul 18, 1971F20.1 mi10 yd00
Mar 25, 1964F238.4 mi10 yd01
Feb 20, 1951F20.1 mi73 yd00
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.