How Many Tornadoes Has Kentucky Had So Far in 2023?

So far in 2023, there have been a total of 1,353 tornadoes recorded here in the United States. But, how many of those touched down right here in Kentucky?

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration keeps records of tornadoes (they've done so for decades) and has archived them in an interactive map found online. Obviously, 2023 is not over and we know from recent experience that Kentucky is not immune from rare December tornadoes. In fact, it was just two years ago that western Kentucky was hit with devastating and deadly December 10th tornadoes, including a monster EF4 that tracked 165 miles.

Get our free mobile app

In 2021, we had a whopping 63 tornadoes in Kentucky and there were 617 tornado-related injuries to Kentuckians. Even more frightening and tragic, according to the official data, there were 74 fatalities directly caused by tornadic activity. Here in the Commonwealth, communities are still recovering from that trauma.

Luckily, the last two years have been calm by comparison. In 2022, there were just 34 tornadoes recorded in Kentucky and just two storm-related injuries. In 2023, we've had 38 tornadoes touch down in the state, but, luckily, no one has been injured.

One reason why? None of this year's tornadoes registered above an EF2. In addition to tracking the number of tornadoes across the country, The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration also records their strengths.

All the tornadoes in Kentucky so far in 2023 have registered between and EF0 and EF2.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has stats dating all the way back to 1950. Kentucky's most active year ever was 2011, when 70 tornadoes touched down across the state.