Spencer County, Kentucky tornadoes

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11confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1974). Most recent: March 30, 2025, 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 Spencer County

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The record

At a glance

Total111950 to 2025
Per year0.1average since 1950
Peak monthApril4 of 11
StrongestF4Apr 3, 1974
Deaths3whole paths, see note
Injuries92whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

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

April is the peak month, with 4 of 11 tornadoes.

By time of day

20 12 AM: 1: 0: 03 AM: 0: 0: 06 AM: 0: 0: 09 AM: 0: 0: 012 PM: 0: 0: 03 PM: 1: 2: 16 PM: 2: 0: 19 PM: 0: 1: 212 AM3 AM6 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PM9 PM

Most often around 4:00 PM. 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: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01980: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 11990: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 02000: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 2: 02010: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 02020: 0: 1: 2: 0: 0: 119501960197019801990200020102020

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
6
EF1
2
EF2
1
EF4
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

F4, April 3, 1974

3 deaths, 81 injuries Strongest

F4, April 3, 1974

37.9 mile path Longest path

37.9 miles, F4

April 3, 1974, whole path Widest

850 yards, F4

May 28, 1996
Every tornado

All 11 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Mar 30, 2025EF12.5 mi80 yd00
Apr 13, 2022EF00.12 mi60 yd00
Apr 13, 2022EF00.07 mi30 yd00
Dec 11, 2021EF11.9 mi100 yd00
Feb 5, 2008EF00.56 mi220 yd01
Feb 5, 2008EF00.66 mi220 yd00
Mar 19, 2005F00.4 mi25 yd00
May 28, 1996F430 mi850 yd010
Apr 3, 1989F00.5 mi40 yd00
Jul 26, 1984F22.5 mi70 yd00
Apr 3, 1974F437.9 mi10 yd381
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.