Harlan County, Kentucky
Tornadoes, hail, floods and severe storms recorded here between 1968 and 2026, from NOAA's Storm Events Database. Search an address to see which tornadoes came closest to it.
2
Tornado reports
65
Hail reports
57
Floods since 1996
509
All events
2
Deaths
$9.2M
Property damage
Tornado paths in Harlan County
The part of each tornado’s path NOAA recorded in this county, 2 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.
A local newspaper and citizens reported a couple of mobile homes being swept into the Cumberland River outside of Harlan as the river overspilled its banks. Approximately 70 homes were reported to have been impacted by flood waters across the county. Various streets, especially n…
Heavy Snow Heavy Snow
Upslope snow was most significant along the ridges. Law enforcement estimated 4.0 inches of snow on top of Pine Mountain along US-421 at approximately 2,600 feet elevation. Big Black Mountain received an estimated 2.5 inches of accumulation, as per KYTC. Meanwhile, in the lower v…
Heavy Snow Heavy Snow
Heavy snowfall impacted the county as the frontogenetic band stalled near the Virginia-Kentucky border. At 0905EST on the 31st, 911 dispatch in Nolansburg estimated 5.0 inches of snow accumulation.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
A 61 mph wind gust was recorded at the Harlan County Mesonet.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Tractor trailer reportedly blown over on KY-38 near the Marathon gas station.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Lipfird Street bridge was blocked by a large tree.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
A picture on social media showed a downed tree along KY-413 in the community of Baxter, just north of Harlan.
Hail Hail
In addition to downed trees from thunderstorm winds, the social media report also showed quarter sized hail along KY-413 in Baxter, just north of Harlan.
Hail Hail
A report was made on social media of nickel to quarter-sized hail in the community of Loyall between 12:35 and 12:40 am EDT.
Heavy Snow Heavy Snow
Snow fell across Harlan County on January 19th and 20th, with final totals showing a dramatic and clear divide between the lower valleys and the high mountain terrain. Final storm totals from the valley locations were consistently light, with reports coming in on the morning of J…
Heavy Snow Heavy Snow
Snow fell intermittently in Harlan County, beginning around midday on January 10th and continuing through the evening. On the morning of January 11th, a series of reports from the Department of Highways clearly illustrated a dramatic increase in snowfall totals with elevation. In…
Heavy Snow Heavy Snow
Snow began in Harlan County on the morning of January 5th, before changing over to freezing rain and rain later in the day. Storm total snowfall measurements taken by CO-OP Observers on the morning of January 6th highlighted the significant impact of elevation on accumulations. A…
Heavy Snow Heavy Snow
The Harlan County highway department reported approximately 4 inches of snow accumulation along KY-160 near the Virginia-Kentucky state line just below the summit of Big Black Mountain. Elsewhere within the county, reports were generally lower: approximately 2 inches on US-421 at…
High Wind High Wind
Two observing stations in Harlan County, one Kentucky Mesonet station atop Big Black Mountains and one AWOS station at the Harlan County Airport, reported peak wind gusts of 45 and 38 mph, respectively. Even so, localized wind damage suggests that there were isolated instances of…
Hail Hail
A public report was received on Twitter with a picture of quarter sized hail along Shell Hallow Road, east of Harlan.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
A tree was reported to have been blown down via Social Media.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Dispatch reported numerous trees down throughout Harlan County.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
A tree was downed and blocking KY-2005 near the Pathfork community.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Trees and power lines were downed across the train tracks along US-41 near the community of Grays Knob.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Trees and power lines were downed at a residence on James Court, off KY-215, between the Redbud and Kenvir communities.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Harlan County dispatch relayed a report of a downed tree on US-119 near MM28.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
The Kentucky Mesonet station on top of Black Mountain in Harlan County measured a wind gust of 57 mph.
Heavy Snow Heavy Snow
Multiple observations were made across Harlan County on January 16, ranging from 3.5 inches in Harlan proper at 10am, to 7.5 inches in the higher elevations 3 miles N of Harlan at 9:16am. Other reports from the county included 5.4 inches 5 miles NE of Baxter at 7am; 5 inches in t…
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
HAM operator reported a downed tree on KY-413 which lead to a power outage in the Rosspoint area of Baxter.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Several trees were blown down onto powerlines in the Holiday Acres Trailer Park near the community of Loyall.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Pictures on social media show several large limbs down in a yard along Baker Street in the community of Elcomb, just outside of Harlan.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Trees were blown down into powerlines along KY-3001 in front of the Harlan County Country Club.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
The neighboring county's dispatch (Leslie County) reported trees were blown down in Harlan County near the intersection of KY-1790 and KY-221.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
A 43 mph wind gust was measured by the Harlan County mesonet site at an elevation of 4031 feet.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
The Harlan County dispatch received a report of a tree down across KY-522, blocking both lanes.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
A tree was blown down on KY-987 near Martin's Fork.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
County dispatch reported a tree blown down along KY-522 near the intersection of Russell Rd.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
County dispatch reported a tree blown down onto KY-3001 near the Harlan Country Club.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
A member of the public reported a tree blown down onto KY-1556.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
County dispatch reported a tree blown down onto KY-3001 near the intersection with Mountain Oaks Drive.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Harlan County dispatch reported a tree blown down onto KY-987 near Martins Fork Lake.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
NWS storm survey showed straightline winds with damage consistent with approximately 65 to 70 mph wind gusts. There were a few felled trees (some partially uprooted) and other trees with large branches broken off. Winds followed the direction of the valley floor along KY-568. One…
High Wind High Wind
At 1:20 PM EDT, a public report was made of roofing material having been blown off a carport at a residence. Then at 4:00 PM, the county dispatch reported multiple utility lines blown down along Hwy-38 near Evarts.
High Wind High Wind
Two sites in Harlan reported 49 mph gusts - the Harlan Airport at 7:22 PM EST, and the Harlan County Mesonet (24 miles east of Harlan) at 7:35 PM EST. While these are not overly impressive, the 911 dispatch called in multiple reports of trees down across the county, indicative of…
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
A tree was blown down onto KY-38 near Ages.
Flash Flood Flash Flood
A report was made of flash flooding taking place in the community of Three Points, off Highway 991, just south of Cawood.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
A tree fell on a house on Parker St. in Cumberland, KY. No injuries were reported.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Radio operators received numerous reports of wind damage including damaged signs, shingles removed from roofs, large tree limbs down, and debris in the road in downtown Harlan in the area of Main and Clover Streets.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Trees were blown down and roofing material was removed from a structure in the Brookside community.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Trees and limbs were blown down in and around the community of Evarts.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Several trees and limbs were blown down in the eastern portion of Harlan county in the Cumberland vicinity.
Hail Hail
The public reported nickel-sized (0.88 inch) hail approximately 1 mile east southeast of the PeePace Store.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
The Harlan County Highway Department reported that thunderstorm winds had blown down a tree onto KY-38 near Brookside.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
A member of the public reported a tree blown down onto Mountain Street in Lynch, KY.
Events by year, as a table
| Year | Events | Tornadoes |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 0 |
| 2025 | 9 | 0 |
| 2024 | 11 | 0 |
| 2023 | 16 | 0 |
| 2022 | 18 | 0 |
| 2021 | 23 | 0 |
| 2020 | 10 | 0 |
| 2019 | 7 | 0 |
| 2018 | 16 | 0 |
| 2017 | 10 | 0 |
| 2016 | 11 | 0 |
| 2015 | 9 | 0 |
| 2014 | 21 | 0 |
| 2013 | 19 | 0 |
| 2012 | 30 | 0 |
| 2011 | 32 | 0 |
| 2010 | 51 | 0 |
| 2009 | 38 | 0 |
| 2008 | 25 | 0 |
| 2007 | 11 | 2 |
| 2006 | 10 | 0 |
| 2005 | 10 | 0 |
| 2004 | 18 | 0 |
| 2003 | 13 | 0 |
| 2002 | 11 | 0 |
| 2001 | 11 | 0 |
| 2000 | 13 | 0 |
| 1999 | 7 | 0 |
| 1998 | 17 | 0 |
| 1997 | 4 | 0 |
| 1996 | 7 | 0 |
| 1995 | 2 | 0 |
| 1994 | 1 | 0 |
| 1992 | 1 | 0 |
| 1990 | 1 | 0 |
| 1988 | 1 | 0 |
| 1987 | 1 | 0 |
| 1986 | 3 | 0 |
| 1985 | 1 | 0 |
| 1984 | 2 | 0 |
| 1983 | 2 | 0 |
| 1981 | 1 | 0 |
| 1979 | 1 | 0 |
| 1969 | 1 | 0 |
| 1968 | 1 | 0 |
Search your address
See every tornado that passed within 25 miles of a place in Harlan County, measured to its path.
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