Carroll County
Population 11,141 (2025) 129 sq mi
Property owners in Carroll County have filed 70 federal flood insurance claims since 1978, 49th most of 120 counties in Kentucky.
Hazard fingerprint Each spoke is this county’s percentile among U.S. counties where that hazard occurs. How it is computed
- Tornado damage paths since 19509
- Tropical cyclone tracks within 100 miles since 1851, wider where stronger2
At a glance
The record for Carroll County in eight numbers. Each links to its section below.
Tropical cyclones within 50 mi
1
78th of 120 in Kentucky
None at hurricane strength since 1851
DetailsStrongest tornado
F4
November 22, 1992, 26.7 mile path
Strongest tropical cyclone
TS
Tropical storm (unnamed), 1888, 41.2 miles away
Tornadoes
About one every 8.4 years since 1950, 2 of them rated F3/EF3 or stronger.
Strongest
November 22, 1992
F4, 26.7 mile path
60 yards wide; 1 killed along the whole path.
Most recent
Thursday, March 14, 2024
EF2, 18.0 mile path
2 years ago.
Every recorded tornado
| Mar 14, 2024 | EF2 | 18.0 | 2 | 0 |
| Mar 2, 2012 | EF1 | 2.4 | 0 | 0 |
| Nov 22, 1992 | F4 | 26.7 | 10 | 1 |
| Aug 8, 1991 | F0 | 0.5 | 0 | 0 |
| Jul 20, 1988 | F0 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Sep 26, 1976 | F1 | 0.2 | 0 | 0 |
| Mar 4, 1967 | F0 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Feb 10, 1959 | F3 | 1.5 | 6 | 0 |
| May 22, 1957 | F2 | 0.8 | 0 | 0 |
- Injuries and deaths are for the tornado’s whole path, which may extend beyond the county. Deaths recorded within Carroll County: 1.
- Weak tornadoes were under-recorded before Doppler radar coverage became national in the early 1990s, so earlier decades read low. Ratings use the Fujita scale before February 2007 and the Enhanced Fujita scale after.
Storm Prediction Center severe weather database, 1950 to 2025.
Hurricanes and tropical storms
1 passed within 50 miles since 1851; none at hurricane strength.
Strongest within 50 miles
August 21, 1888
Unnamed storm, Tropical storm
41.2 miles at closest approach, winds near 52 mph.
Most recent
September 27, 2024
Helene, Remnant low
76.9 miles at closest approach.
Every storm within 100 miles
- Tropical storms and hurricanes (34 kt or more, still tropical) at closest approach. Post-tropical remnants with gale-force winds are listed but not counted. Direct: track within 50 miles; near: within 100 miles. Distance is measured to the county boundary for counties and to the city centre for cities, using positions interpolated hourly between HURDAT2 fixes.
National Hurricane Center HURDAT2, 1851 to 2025.
Wildfire and smoke
No large wildfire has been mapped here since satellite mapping began in 1984.
Smoke overhead
Smokiest year
2023: 50 days
Heavy smoke on 14 days in 2023, the most of any year.
Last 10 years
16.0 days a year
Medium or heavy smoke, 2016 to 2025.
2025
9 days
Medium or heavy smoke. 37 so far in 2026.
- A smoke day is a date on which a smoke plume traced by NOAA Hazard Mapping System analysts from satellite imagery covered this place's point (the county's population centre or the city centre). Counts here are of medium or heavy smoke. Since 2018 analysts have often drawn light smoke as one area over most of the continent, so light-smoke counts are not comparable from year to year. The plumes show smoke anywhere in the air above, not air quality at the ground, and smoke hidden by cloud is missed.
NOAA Hazard Mapping System smoke analysis, 2011 to 2026, retrieved October 30, 2026.
Floods and flood insurance
70 federal flood insurance claims since 1978, with $1.6 million paid.
Most claims in one year
2025: 23 claims
$923,000 paid.
2nd most
1997: 17 claims
$435,000 paid.
3rd most
2018: 7 claims
$159,000 paid.
Claims by ZIP code
| 41008 | 57 | $1.4 million |
| 41098 | 6 | $180,000 |
Flood events since 1996
- Flood29
- Flash Flood27
- Heavy Rain3
This product uses the Federal Emergency Management Agency's OpenFEMA API, but is not endorsed by FEMA. The Federal Government or FEMA cannot vouch for the data or analyses derived from these data after the data have been retrieved from the Agency's website(s).
OpenFEMA NFIP Redacted Claims v3, refreshed August 4, 2026. NOAA Storm Events through 2026.
Drought
In severe drought or worse for 123 of 1,581 months since 1895 (8%); the longest spell lasted 20 months.
123
Months in severe drought or worse since 1895
69
Months in extreme drought
8%
Share of all months, severe or worse
Lowest reading
April 1954
−6.40, extreme drought
Longest severe spell
20 months
June 1953 to January 1955.
Latest month
September 2026
+1.64, slightly wet
Last severe month: November 1999.
- The Palmer Drought Severity Index is computed by NOAA each month from the county's average temperature and precipitation, relative to the county's own climate. Zero is normal; -3 or lower is severe drought and -4 or lower extreme drought. It describes the long-term balance of moisture, not water supply or crop losses.
NOAA NCEI nClimDiv county Palmer Drought Severity Index, 1895 to September 2026, issued October 6, 2026.
Earthquakes and landslides
5 earthquakes of magnitude 2.5 or more within 50 miles since 1974; none reached magnitude 4.
0
Magnitude 2.5+ inside the county since 1973
2
Magnitude 3+ within 50 miles since 1973
0
Magnitude 4+ within 50 miles since 1900
0
Magnitude 5+ within 50 miles since 1900
Largest within 50 miles
June 4, 1974
Magnitude 3.2
8 km ESE of Bromley, Kentucky; 9.8 miles away, 9.3 miles deep.
Most recent, magnitude 3 or more
August 22, 1980
Magnitude 3.1
5 km SSW of Lawrenceburg, Kentucky; 42.1 miles away.
- Earthquakes of magnitude 2.5 or more in the USGS Comprehensive Catalog since 1900. Within 50 miles means the epicentre lies within 50 miles of the county boundary (or inside the county).
- Small earthquakes were under-recorded before the modern seismic networks of the 1970s and are still missed in remote areas, so early decades read low. Magnitudes are as the catalogue reports them and mix scales (moment, local and body-wave).
USGS ANSS Comprehensive Earthquake Catalog, 1900 to present, retrieved October 30, 2026.
Mapped landslides
21
Landslides mapped, probable or better
6
With a recorded date
2
Source inventories
Mapped by KY GS (18), NASA (3).
- Landslides mapped in the USGS compilation of landslide inventories across the United States (version 3.0, 2025), rated probable or better. The compilation joins inventories made by federal and state agencies for different purposes and areas, so the number mapped in a county reflects how closely it has been surveyed as much as how often its slopes fail. An area with few records may simply not have been mapped. Deaths are as recorded in the inventories; a slide listed in two inventories is counted once.
USGS Landslide Inventories across the United States, version 3.0, retrieved October 27, 2026.
Severe weather and other events
254 events in the National Weather Service record, 237 of them since 1996.
16
Hail reports, 1 inch or larger
2
Hail, 2 inches or larger
77
Damaging gusts, 58 mph+
47
Winter weather events since 1996
7
Heat events since 1996
3
Cold events since 1996
Largest hail
March 2, 2012
4.25 inches
Strongest measured or estimated gust
March 1, 2017
81 mph
Costliest events since 1996
- Mar 2, 2012Tornado$1.3 million
National Weather Service narrative
The tornado initially touched down in Trimble County at 1541 EST, causing extensive EF2 and some EF3 damage south of Milton, before weakening. While in Trimble County, the tornado traveled 3.26 miles and had a maximum width of 75 yards. Based on the damage survey conducted in Trimble County, the maximum estimated wind speed of the tornado at that time was 140 miles per hour. The tornado then entered Carroll County at 1544 EST. The EF1 damage in Carroll County began near the county line near the junction of East Prong Locust Road and Wrights Ridge Road. At this point the path width of the tornado had decreased to 150 yards. The path continued east northeast along Kings Ridge Road.…
- Sep 14, 2008High Wind, Carroll$1.2 million
National Weather Service narrative
Strong winds of 40 to 50 miles per hour were sustained for several hours. Gusts over 60 mph were common. Widespread damage occurred across the region, from trees being blown down on powerlines to significant structural damage.
- Mar 1, 1997Flash Flood$500,000
National Weather Service narrative
Estimated rainfall of 6 to 10 inches across the county in less than 36 hours caused area creeks and streams to rise out of their banks. Many secondary roads were closed countywide and 8 homes were flooded in Sanders.
- Mar 1, 2017Thunderstorm Wind$200,000
National Weather Service narrative
Numerous houses, buildings and churches sustained significant roof damage. There was also substantial damage to a concrete building. In addition, dozens of trees were downed.
- Jan 6, 1996Winter Storm, Carroll$200,000
National Weather Service narrative
The Blizzard of '96 developed near the Gulf Coast and moved up the East Coast. This massive system brought the greatest snowfall from one storm to Greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky airport, as well as the greatest 24 hour snowfall. Total snowfall from this storm at the airport was 14.3 inches, while in a typical entire season this location normally receives only 23 inches of snowfall. Many homes and business experienced partial or total roof collapses due to the weight of the snow. Road conditions remained hazardous in some locations for many days. Many people believed that this was the worst winter storm since the Blizzard of '78.
- Jun 18, 2026Tornado$100,000
National Weather Service narrative
The tornado developed at 0245EST in Switzerland County, Indiana, two miles north of Carrollton. The tornado moved southeast and entered Carroll County at 0246EST about 2 miles east-northeast of Carrollton. Along U.S. Route 42 near the Ohio River, several wooden electrical power lines were downed and extensive tree damage occurred. Just to the west of Tom Harris Road, a hillside had extensive tree damage as well. The tornado continued across rural areas east of Carrollton where additional damage occurred along State Route 36. Here, several power lines were downed along with extensive tree damage. The tornado continued near the Easterday community near Boone Road and State Route 36.…
- Apr 4, 2014Flash Flood$100,000
National Weather Service narrative
A mudslide caused by heavy rain destroyed a single family home near State Route 36 and Notch Lick Road. The foundation was undermined. The home was unoccupied.
- May 21, 2014Thunderstorm Wind$70,000
National Weather Service narrative
Damage occurred to a house and 2 barns were destroyed along Highway 389 due to thunderstorm winds. Numerous trees were also downed in the area.
- Mar 14, 2024Tornado$50,000
National Weather Service narrative
The tornado first developed in Jefferson County, Indiana, at 1258EST, on the north side of Hanover. The tornado moved east across the Ohio River into Trimble County, Kentucky, and then into Carroll County at 1308EST. ||There was extensive tree damage just inside of western Carroll County where winds were estimated to be 115 mph, EF-2 strength, before weakening across the rugged Fairview ridge. There was one large barn along Hampton Road that had extensive roof paneling damage and a door blown out. Wind speeds here were estimated to be 90 mph, EF-1. There was a lot of topped tree damage along Locust Creek and Kentucky State Route 36, where wind speeds were estimated to be 85 mph,…
- Jan 3, 2000Flash Flood$50,000
National Weather Service narrative
Persistent heavy rainfall caused 9 roads to be closed across the county. Also, a few evacuations became necessary as the water rose.
- Storm Events records before 1996 cover only tornadoes, thunderstorm wind and hail. Damage figures are as reported by the National Weather Service at the time, not adjusted for inflation.
NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, 1950 to 2026, issued October 26, 2026.
Weather records
From Cincinnati/northern Kentucky I, 36.1 miles from the county’s population centre, with records from 1948.
- All-time high
- 104°F2 times, most recently Jul 7, 2012
- All-time low
- −25°FJan 18, 1977
- Warmest night
- 79°FJul 30, 1999
- Coldest day
- −4°F2 times, most recently Jan 20, 1985
- Wettest day
- 5.21 inMar 9, 1964
- Snowiest day
- 11.8 inFeb 4, 1998
- Hottest year
- 2024mean 57.9°F
- Coldest year
- 1963mean 51.1°F
- Wettest year
- 201173.28 in
- Driest year
- 196327.99 in
- Snowiest season
- 53.9 in1977-78
Median first snow
November 21
Earliest: October 19, 1989
Median last snow
March 24
Latest: May 6, 1989
0 of 78 winters had no measurable snow.
Station Cincinnati/northern Kentucky I (USW00093814), 861 ft elevation, 36.1 miles from the population centre. Daily records from 1948 to October 26, 2026; 100.0% of days in the last 30 years are complete. Records at a single station can differ from a city’s official threaded record, which may combine several stations.
NOAA NCEI Global Historical Climatology Network Daily.
Federal disaster declarations
22 since 1953. The most recent: Severe Winter Storm, January 24, 2026.
| Jan 24, 2026 | Winter Storm | EM-3633-KY |
| Apr 24, 2025 | Severe Storm | DR-4864-KY |
| Apr 3, 2025 | Severe Storm | EM-3626-KY |
| Feb 16, 2025 | Severe Storm | EM-3624-KY |
| Mar 28, 2020 | Biological | DR-4497-KY |
| Mar 13, 2020 | Biological | EM-3469-KY |
| Apr 17, 2019 | Severe Storm | DR-4428-KY |
| Apr 26, 2018 | Flood | DR-4361-KY |
| Aug 12, 2015 | Severe Storm | DR-4239-KY |
| Mar 6, 2012 | Severe Storm | DR-4057-KY |
| May 4, 2011 | Severe Storm | DR-1976-KY |
| May 11, 2010 | Severe Storm | DR-1912-KY |
| Feb 5, 2009 | Severe Ice Storm | DR-1818-KY |
| Jan 28, 2009 | Severe Ice Storm | EM-3302-KY |
| Oct 9, 2008 | Severe Storm | DR-1802-KY |
| Sep 10, 2005 | Hurricane | EM-3231-KY |
| Jun 10, 2004 | Severe Storm | DR-1523-KY |
| Mar 4, 1997 | Severe Storm | DR-1163-KY |
| Jan 13, 1996 | Snowstorm | DR-1089-KY |
| Jan 29, 1991 | Flood | DR-893-KY |
| Feb 24, 1989 | Flood | DR-821-KY |
| Dec 12, 1978 | Flood | DR-568-KY |
This product uses the Federal Emergency Management Agency's OpenFEMA API, but is not endorsed by FEMA. The Federal Government or FEMA cannot vouch for the data or analyses derived from these data after the data have been retrieved from the Agency's website(s).
OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries, retrieved October 30, 2026. Statewide declarations are not listed.
How this compares
Where Carroll County stands among 120 counties in Kentucky and 3,143 in the United States.
| Tornadoes since 1950 | 9 | 67 / 120 |
| Tornadoes rated F3/EF3 or stronger | 2 | 31 / 120 |
| Tropical cyclones within 50 mi | 1 | 78 / 120 |
| Hurricane-strength passes within 50 mi | 0 | — |
| Wildfire acres since 1984 | 0 | — |
| Flood insurance claims | 70 | 49 / 120 |
| Flood insurance paid | $1.6 million | 46 / 120 |
| Disaster declarations | 22 | 94 / 120 |
| Flood events since 1996 | 59 | 73 / 120 |
| Hail and wind events since 1996 | 116 | 109 / 120 |
| Winter storm events since 1996 | 47 | 70 / 120 |
| Reported damage since 1996 | $4.3 million | 78 / 120 |
| River crests at major flood stage | 0 | — |
| High tide flooding days a year, last 10 years | 0.0 | — |
| Months in severe drought since 1895 | 123 | 67 / 120 |
| Medium or heavy smoke days a year, last 10 years | 16.0 | 15 / 120 |
| Earthquakes M4+ within 50 mi since 1900 | 0 | — |
| Earthquakes M2.5+ in the county since 1973 | 0 | — |
Neighbouring counties
| Gallatin County | 3 | 1 |
| Henry County | 18 | 1 |
| Jefferson County IN | 21 | 1 |
| Owen County | 5 | 1 |
| Switzerland County IN | 10 | 1 |
| Trimble County | 10 | 1 |
Sources and vintage
Every number on this page comes from these public records.
- Tornadoes NOAA Storm Prediction Center severe weather database, through 2025.
- Tropical cyclones NOAA National Hurricane Center HURDAT2 (Atlantic; Northeast and Central Pacific), through 2025.
- Wildfire USGS/USFS Monitoring Trends in Burn Severity, through 2026.
- Storm events NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, through 2026.
- Flood insurance OpenFEMA NFIP Redacted Claims v3, refreshed August 4, 2026.
- Declarations OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries v2, retrieved October 30, 2026.
- Weather records NOAA NCEI Global Historical Climatology Network Daily, station USW00093814.
- River crests NOAA National Weather Service, National Water Prediction Service river gauges, retrieved October 30, 2026.
- Drought NOAA NCEI nClimDiv county Palmer Drought Severity Index, through September 2026.
- Smoke NOAA NESDIS Hazard Mapping System smoke analysis, retrieved October 30, 2026.
- Landslides USGS Landslide Inventories across the United States, version 3.0 (2025).
- Earthquakes USGS ANSS Comprehensive Earthquake Catalog (ComCat), retrieved October 30, 2026.
Joins, thresholds and known limits are set out in the methodology. Found an error? Report it. Page built October 30, 2026.