Breathitt County, Kentucky
Tornadoes, hail, floods and severe storms recorded here between 1959 and 2026, from NOAA's Storm Events Database. Search an address to see which tornadoes came closest to it.
4
Tornado reports
91
Hail reports
137
Floods since 1996
830
All events
16
Deaths
$8.9M
Property damage
Tornado paths in Breathitt County
The part of each tornado’s path NOAA recorded in this county, 3 in all. Zoom in and the paths widen to their surveyed width.
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Year by year
All storm eventsTornadoes
NOAA's storm database records tornadoes back to 1950 and hail and thunderstorm wind back to 1955, but floods only from 1996 on. Older floods are missing here. For those, the U.S. Geological Survey's stream gauge records and flood reports are the place to look.
Most significant events
The strongest tornadoes, deadliest events and biggest damage here, up to 50.
Multiple reports of flash flooding were received across southern Breathitt County during the overnight hours of the 27th into the 28th. These are some of the reports that were made: 10:48 PM EST - A bridge was washed out along Bowling Creek Road near Altro. 10:50 PM EST - Flash f…
A woman died in a car crash during the predawn hours of Thursday, February 6th, 2014 when the SUV she was driving hit a patch of ice around the 6 mile marker of Hwy 476 in the Clayhole community. Her car struck a tree and went into the creek that runs along the road there. It app…
A large swath of downburst winds, nearly 450 yards wide, swept through the damaged area. Embedded in these winds was an F1 tornado, with winds between 100 and 112 mile per hour. At least five trailer homes were completely destroyed along with several other structures including to…
Around one inch of rain fell between 4 and 11 am. This resulted in stream rises in the county. Streams rose high enough to cover low water bridges. A 54 year old male attempted to drive across a low water bridge near Taulbee. Water was about 2 feet deep and the car was swept off …
At 0900 EST, February 17, the North Fork of the Kentucky River crested at 37.32 feet in Jackson. This is 8.32 feet above flood stage.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
A report from social media indicated that several trees had been blown down along Bowlings Creek Road near Buckhorn. There were also reports of power outages in this portion of the county.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
A report from social media indicated multiple trees had been blown down onto the road near the Wolf Coal Fire Department building and the intersection of KY-1933 and KY-1110.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
A retired NWS employee reported a tree blown down onto power lines about a mile up Lick Branch Road resulting in a power outage.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
A retired NWS employee reported wind gusts estimated near 60 mph in the vicinity of the Happy Church.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
The local highway department reported that a tree had been blown down onto powerlines between MM10 and MM12 along KY-1812.
Winter Storm Winter Storm
A complex mix of snow, sleet, and freezing rain impacted Breathitt County. An initial 1.2 inches of snow was reported at WFO Jackson by midnight of January 25th. A half inch of sleet then feel between midnight and 220EST. Freezing rain then fell for much of the day on the 25th, l…
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
A tree was reportedly blown down along Bowlings Creek Road about 1.5 miles from the mouth of the holler.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
A tree was reportedly blown down onto power lines along KY-541 near the Mount Carmel School.
Flood Flood
Water was reported over the road at Meatscaffold Road, off KY-30 East, as well as at Bert Barnett's and Slate Branch.
Flood Flood
A photo was shared that showed at least a foot of water over Quicksand Road at the Happy Church in the Quicksand community. Kentucky Transportation Cabinet trucks were manning both sides of the water to deter vehicles from crossing.
Hail Hail
A photo was submitted showing two hailstones with a diameter greater than 2 inches in the Lost Creek community. The largest stone appears to be 2.75 inches or larger.
Hail Hail
A photo on social media showed 2 to 2.50-inch diameter hail stones in the community of Ned.
Flood Flood
A photo shared on social media showed a small stream (Cockrell Fork) flooding out of its banks and over Cockrells Fork Road in the community of Ned.
Hail Hail
A photo was shared on social media of multiple hail stones at least 2 inches in diameter near the community of Ned.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Trees and powerlines were reported to have been blown down in and near the community of Whick, mainly along KY-1110.
Flash Flood Flash Flood
A video on social media showed flash flooding at the intersection of Whick Lick Branch Road and Bowling Road, northwest of the Whick community, likely due to Lick Branch rising out of it's banks.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
A report on social media stated that a tree was downed and blocking the westbound lane of KY-476 between Flintville and Clayhole.
Hail Hail
A social media report along Russell Branch Road, near Flint Ridge Cemetery Road, showed mostly smaller stones, but a couple of quarter-sized stones mixed in.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Social media report of a tree down on Privett Lane in the Wolverine area of Breathitt County.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Social media report of a small tree down on a barn near the end of Freeman Fork Road in extreme SW Breathitt County.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
A tree was reported to have been blown down onto KY-30 near the Shoulderblade community.
Hail Hail
A picture showed nickel sized hail 1 mile SSW of Quicksand in Breathitt County.
Hail Hail
Quarter sized hail was reported about 3 miles from KY-15 on KY-476 in the Clayhole community.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
In addition to large hail, several trees were reported to have been downed along KY-476, about 3 miles from KY-15 in the Clayhole community, with power going out as a result.
Hail Hail
Half dollar sized hail was reported in the Vancleve community, via a picture on social media.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
An outbuilding, a fence, and trees were knocked down and damaged along Smith Branch Road, between Ruby Drive and Copperhead Road, due to thunderstorm wind gusts that occurred. The same storm also resulted in large hail around 1.00 inch.
Flash Flood Flash Flood
Pictures on social media show water flowing across Morgue Fork Rd near the community of Sewell.
Heavy Snow Heavy Snow
Snow accumulated throughout the day on January 19th. Several reports between 2.6 and 3.6 inches were received during the afternoon and evening. The highest amounts were reported late in the evening, with a public report of an estimated 4.3 inches in the Bowlings Creek community a…
Winter Storm Winter Storm
Several inches of snow and isolated significant ice accumulation occurred on January 5th and 6th, 2025. Snowfall reports on the afternoon of the 5th began with a picture on social media from Whick at 1300EST showing 4 inches of measured snow. At 1325EST, a storm total of 4 inches…
High Wind High Wind
Five observing stations in Breathitt County reported wind gusts, though peak speeds differed dramatically due to exposure. The strongest recorded wind gust of 56 mph occurred around 318 PM EST at the NWS Jackson ASOS. Meanwhile, the adjacent Jackson RAWs recorded a peak gusts of …
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
A tree was blown down on KY-30 East, about 1 mile east of Airport Road.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Breathitt county dispatch reported a tree blown down in the 5900 block of Canoe Road, in the community of Canoe.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
A tree was downed along KY-15 near the Watts community. The exact location of the downed tree was not given.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
A tree was downed on Riley Branch blocking the roadway near the community of Clayhole.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
A social media report told of utility poles broken and trees down on Lick Branch Road in the Noctor community.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Breathitt County dispatch reported a couple trees blown down about 7 miles up KY-378, near the Taulbee community.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
A tree was reported blown down around 2 miles SE of Chenowee, likely along Puncheon Creek and Belcher Fork Road.
Heavy Snow Heavy Snow
Reports in excess of 4 inches (Winter Storm Warning Criteria) were made in several locations around Breathitt County by the early morning hours of January 15. Multiple locations reported between 4.1 and 4.7 inches. With a second wave of snow, snow totals increased to 7.1 inches i…
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
A tree was blown down along KY-1812 near the top of Panbowl Hill, approximately 2.5 miles from the intersection of KY-1812 and KY-15.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
A tree was blown down along KY-476 in the vicinity of Clayhole, approximately 3.5 miles from the highway's intersection with KY-15.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Multiple trees were blown down on KY-1812 atop Frozen Hill.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
NWS employees at WFO Jackson estimated wind gusts of 60 to 70 mph at times for an approximately 5 minute period from 5:03 PM to 5:08 PM.
Events by year, as a table
| Year | Events | Tornadoes |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 6 | 0 |
| 2025 | 23 | 0 |
| 2024 | 9 | 0 |
| 2023 | 11 | 0 |
| 2022 | 43 | 0 |
| 2021 | 41 | 0 |
| 2020 | 18 | 0 |
| 2019 | 21 | 0 |
| 2018 | 9 | 0 |
| 2017 | 22 | 0 |
| 2016 | 18 | 0 |
| 2015 | 37 | 0 |
| 2014 | 34 | 0 |
| 2013 | 28 | 0 |
| 2012 | 38 | 0 |
| 2011 | 40 | 0 |
| 2010 | 79 | 0 |
| 2009 | 79 | 0 |
| 2008 | 40 | 0 |
| 2007 | 15 | 0 |
| 2006 | 21 | 0 |
| 2005 | 13 | 0 |
| 2004 | 29 | 1 |
| 2003 | 25 | 1 |
| 2002 | 26 | 1 |
| 2001 | 17 | 0 |
| 2000 | 13 | 0 |
| 1999 | 5 | 0 |
| 1998 | 19 | 0 |
| 1997 | 14 | 0 |
| 1996 | 14 | 0 |
| 1995 | 5 | 1 |
| 1994 | 2 | 0 |
| 1993 | 1 | 0 |
| 1991 | 4 | 0 |
| 1990 | 1 | 0 |
| 1989 | 1 | 0 |
| 1985 | 2 | 0 |
| 1984 | 1 | 0 |
| 1983 | 3 | 0 |
| 1981 | 1 | 0 |
| 1973 | 1 | 0 |
| 1959 | 1 | 0 |
Search your address
See every tornado that passed within 25 miles of a place in Breathitt County, measured to its path.
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