Gallatin County
Population 8,840 (2025) 98 sq mi
Property owners in Gallatin County have filed 33 federal flood insurance claims since 1978, 64th 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 19503
- Tropical cyclone tracks within 100 miles since 1851, wider where stronger3
At a glance
The record for Gallatin County in eight numbers. Each links to its section below.
Tornadoes since 1950
3
100th of 120 in Kentucky
Fewer than the typical Kentucky county, which has had 10
DetailsTropical cyclones within 50 mi
1
78th of 120 in Kentucky
None at hurricane strength since 1851
DetailsStrongest tornado
F1
May 8, 1996, 2.0 mile path
Strongest tropical cyclone
TS
Tropical storm (unnamed), 1888, 40.8 miles away
Tornadoes
About one every 25 years since 1950, none rated F3/EF3 or stronger.
Strongest
May 8, 1996
F1, 2.0 mile path
100 yards wide.
Most recent
Wednesday, April 8, 2020
EF0, 0.5 mile path
6 years ago.
Every recorded tornado
| Apr 8, 2020 | EF0 | 0.5 | 0 | 0 |
| Jul 7, 2014 | EF0 | 0.5 | 0 | 0 |
| May 8, 1996 | F1 | 2.0 | 7 | 0 |
- Injuries and deaths are for the tornado’s whole path, which may extend beyond the county. Deaths recorded within Gallatin County: 0.
- 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
40.8 miles at closest approach, winds near 52 mph.
Most recent
September 27, 2024
Helene, Remnant low
91.1 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
15.5 days a year
Medium or heavy smoke, 2016 to 2025.
2025
9 days
Medium or heavy smoke. 36 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
33 federal flood insurance claims since 1979, with $458,000 paid.
Most claims in one year
2025: 13 claims
$278,000 paid.
2nd most
2018: 12 claims
$121,000 paid.
Claims by ZIP code
| 41095 | 21 | $283,000 |
| 41086 | 12 | $175,000 |
Flood events since 1996
- Flood30
- Flash Flood28
- Heavy Rain1
1 death recorded in flood events since 1996.
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.
River crests
Most severe crest
January 26, 1937
Ohio River at Markland Lower, 76.10 ft
25.10 feet above the 51.0 ft flood stage; major flooding by today’s categories.
Most recent moderate or major crest
March 12, 1964
Ohio River at Markland Lower, 64.50 ft
Moderate flooding.
River gauges
| Ohio River at Markland Lower | 51.0 | 76.10 ft | 1 |
- Crests are the highest and the recent crests the National Weather Service lists for each river gauge in the county that has a flood stage, not every flood. Flood categories use each gauge's current flood stages; crests from before levees, dams or channel changes may not be comparable. Crests measured on an old datum are left out of the rankings.
NOAA National Water Prediction Service gauge records, retrieved October 30, 2026.
Drought
In severe drought or worse for 125 of 1,581 months since 1895 (8%); the longest spell lasted 19 months.
125
Months in severe drought or worse since 1895
64
Months in extreme drought
8%
Share of all months, severe or worse
Lowest reading
March 1931
−6.54, extreme drought
Longest severe spell
19 months
June 1930 to December 1931.
Latest month
September 2026
+1.66, slightly wet
Last severe month: August 2012.
- 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
8 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; 7.4 miles away, 9.3 miles deep.
Most recent, magnitude 3 or more
August 22, 1980
Magnitude 3.1
5 km SSW of Lawrenceburg, Kentucky; 46.1 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
43
Landslides mapped, probable or better
12
With a recorded date
2
Source inventories
Mapped by KY GS (42), NASA (1).
- 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
281 events in the National Weather Service record, 252 of them since 1996.
11
Hail reports, 1 inch or larger
5
Hail, 2 inches or larger
70
Damaging gusts, 58 mph+
87
Winter weather events since 1996
7
Heat events since 1996
3
Cold events since 1996
Largest hail
May 4, 1996
3.00 inches
Strongest measured or estimated gust
March 1, 2017
85 mph
Costliest events since 1996
- Sep 14, 2008High Wind, Gallatin$957,000
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.
- Nov 10, 2002Thunderstorm Wind$375,000
National Weather Service narrative
Several mobile homes were demolished along State Route 184 between Interstate 71 and the Ohio River. Damage was caused by a microburst.
- Jan 6, 1996Winter Storm, Gallatin$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.
- Jul 7, 2014Tornado$150,000
National Weather Service narrative
A tornado touched down on Craigs Creek Lake where substantial damage occurred to a large dock near the marina entrance along US Route 42. A section of roofing and the associated supporting structure measuring approximately 75 by 75 feet was destroyed and deposited immediately to the southwest of the original location. The entire dock measured approximately 100 by 225 feet and was attached to a number of metal poles anchored into the lake bottom. These poles were approximately 6 inches in diameter and were all bent at least several degrees toward the southwest, indicating the entire structure was moved in that direction. This movement was perpendicular to the apparent storm motion…
- Aug 29, 2022Flash Flood$100,000
National Weather Service narrative
A bridge was washed out on Little Sugar Creek Road.
- Mar 1, 1997Flash Flood$100,000
National Weather Service narrative
Estimated rainfall of 6 to 8 inches across the county in less than 36 hours caused area creeks and streams to overflow their banks. Several roads were closed across the entire county. One death occurred when the car stalled in high water and the driver of the car drowned.
- Mar 1, 2017Thunderstorm Wind$50,000
National Weather Service narrative
Numerous hardwood and softwood trees were snapped or uprooted. In addition, damage occurred to the roofs of several homes. Most roof damage consisted of roofing material fully or partially removed. A few barns and outbuildings were completely destroyed. The damage was consistent with wind speeds of 65 to 85 mph.
- Apr 12, 2019Thunderstorm Wind$50,000
National Weather Service narrative
A barn was collapsed and several outbuildings were damaged. In addition boat docks were tipped over and there was minor residential roof damage which consisted of shingles and tin material being removed. Finally, numerous trees were knocked down and tree limbs snapped.
- Apr 3, 2018Thunderstorm Wind$35,000
National Weather Service narrative
Part of a roof was torn off a church. Also, a few homes were damaged due to fallen trees and wind damage.
- Dec 22, 2013Flash Flood$30,000
National Weather Service narrative
Rushing water due to heavy rainfall ripped up pavement on Highway 467 between Highway 35 and Route 127.
- 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, 21.3 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, 21.3 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
17 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 |
| Apr 10, 2023 | Severe Storm | DR-4702-KY |
| Mar 28, 2020 | Biological | DR-4497-KY |
| Mar 13, 2020 | Biological | EM-3469-KY |
| Apr 26, 2018 | Flood | DR-4361-KY |
| May 12, 2015 | Flood | DR-4218-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 |
| Mar 4, 1997 | Severe Storm | DR-1163-KY |
| Jan 13, 1996 | Snowstorm | DR-1089-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 Gallatin County stands among 120 counties in Kentucky and 3,143 in the United States.
| Tornadoes since 1950 | 3 | 100 / 120 |
| Tornadoes rated F3/EF3 or stronger | 0 | — |
| Tropical cyclones within 50 mi | 1 | 78 / 120 |
| Hurricane-strength passes within 50 mi | 0 | — |
| Wildfire acres since 1984 | 0 | — |
| Flood insurance claims | 33 | 64 / 120 |
| Flood insurance paid | $458,000 | 78 / 120 |
| Disaster declarations | 17 | 116 / 120 |
| Flood events since 1996 | 59 | 73 / 120 |
| Hail and wind events since 1996 | 92 | 118 / 120 |
| Winter storm events since 1996 | 87 | 39 / 120 |
| Reported damage since 1996 | $2.6 million | 96 / 120 |
| River crests at major flood stage | 1 | 43 / 120 |
| High tide flooding days a year, last 10 years | 0.0 | — |
| Months in severe drought since 1895 | 125 | 64 / 120 |
| Medium or heavy smoke days a year, last 10 years | 15.5 | 28 / 120 |
| Earthquakes M4+ within 50 mi since 1900 | 0 | — |
| Earthquakes M2.5+ in the county since 1973 | 0 | — |
Neighbouring counties
| Boone County | 16 | 1 |
| Carroll County | 9 | 1 |
| Grant County | 8 | 1 |
| Owen County | 5 | 1 |
| Switzerland County IN | 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.