Green County
Population 11,644 (2025) 286 sq mi
Property owners in Green County have filed 3 federal flood insurance claims since 1978, 106th 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 195011
- Tropical cyclone tracks within 100 miles since 1851, wider where stronger3
At a glance
The record for Green County in eight numbers. Each links to its section below.
Tornadoes since 1950
11
54th of 120 in Kentucky
About as many as the typical Kentucky county
DetailsTropical cyclones within 50 mi
3
6th of 120 in Kentucky
None at hurricane strength since 1851
DetailsStrongest tornado
F4
April 3, 1974, 20.2 mile path
Strongest tropical cyclone
TS
Tropical storm (unnamed), 1888, 15.3 miles away
Federal disaster declarations
27
Most recent: Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides, 2026
DetailsTornadoes
About one every 6.9 years since 1950, 2 of them rated F3/EF3 or stronger.
Strongest
April 3, 1974
F4, 20.2 mile path
10 yards wide.
Deadliest
April 27, 1971
6 killed, F4
58 injured along the whole path.
Most recent
Saturday, December 11, 2021
EF2, 23.8 mile path
5 years ago.
Every recorded tornado
| Dec 11, 2021 | EF2 | 23.8 | 1 | 0 |
| Feb 24, 2018 | EF2 | 1.3 | 0 | 0 |
| Apr 5, 2017 | EF1 | 0.8 | 0 | 0 |
| Jul 13, 2015 | EF1 | 1.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF1 | 3.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Mar 28, 1997 | F2 | 3.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Apr 20, 1996 | F0 | 3.0 | 0 | 0 |
| May 14, 1995 | F1 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | F4 | 20.2 | 56 | 0 |
| Apr 11, 1972 | F2 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Apr 27, 1971 | F4 | 14.1 | 58 | 6 |
- Injuries and deaths are for the tornado’s whole path, which may extend beyond the county. Deaths recorded within Green 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
3 passed within 50 miles since 1851; none at hurricane strength.
Strongest within 50 miles
August 21, 1888
Unnamed storm, Tropical storm
15.3 miles at closest approach, winds near 54 mph.
Most recent
September 27, 2024
Helene, Remnant low
0.0 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: 55 days
Heavy smoke on 9 days in 2023, the most of any year.
Last 10 years
14.3 days a year
Medium or heavy smoke, 2016 to 2025.
2025
10 days
Medium or heavy smoke. 30 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
3 federal flood insurance claims since 2021, with $205,000 paid.
Flood events since 1996
- Flash Flood21
- Flood6
- Heavy Rain1
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 128 of 1,581 months since 1895 (8%); the longest spell lasted 18 months.
128
Months in severe drought or worse since 1895
40
Months in extreme drought
8%
Share of all months, severe or worse
Lowest reading
February 1931
−5.82, extreme drought
Longest severe spell
18 months
August 1953 to January 1955.
Latest month
September 2026
−2.61, moderate drought
Last severe month: June 2026.
- 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
5 earthquakes of magnitude 2.5 or more within 50 miles since 1986; none reached magnitude 4.
0
Magnitude 2.5+ inside the county since 1973
1
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, 1987
Magnitude 3.1
9 km SW of Shepherdsville, Kentucky; 33.5 miles away, 4.7 miles deep.
Most recent, magnitude 3 or more
June 4, 1987
Magnitude 3.1
9 km SW of Shepherdsville, Kentucky; 33.5 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.
Severe weather and other events
262 events in the National Weather Service record, 220 of them since 1996.
34
Hail reports, 1 inch or larger
4
Hail, 2 inches or larger
121
Damaging gusts, 58 mph+
23
Winter weather events since 1996
0
Heat events since 1996
4
Cold events since 1996
Largest hail
April 23, 1968
2.75 inches
Strongest measured or estimated gust
April 28, 2002
115 mph
Costliest events since 1996
- Apr 28, 2002Thunderstorm Wind$1.2 million
National Weather Service narrative
Eight houses were destroyed. Two houses had major damage. Eight other homes had minor damage. Thirteen barns were damaged or destroyed. Six businesses had damage. An unoccupied mobile home was flipped over a house and into a tree. Numerous trees and power lines were down.
- Apr 5, 2017Thunderstorm Wind$300,000
National Weather Service narrative
Over 160 structures were damaged in a 2-3 mile wide swath extending 15 miles from near Hiseville in Barren County northeast across Metcalfe into Green County. Three EF-1 tornadoes, with maximum winds of 100-110 mph were embedded within this area. Outside of the tornadoes, maximum winds were estimated at 70-90 mph. In Green County, non-tornadic winds did the most damage to homes 3/4 mile east-northeast of Crailhope and 1.75 miles west-northwest of Pierce.
- Jul 13, 2015Tornado$200,000
National Weather Service narrative
This brief tornado tracked for approximately 1.1 miles with a maximum width of 50 yards. The highest winds were estimated to have been 95 to 105 mph. The tornado destroyed two barns and one mobile home in addition to considerable roof damage to six outbuildings along Ebenezer Road and Highway 61 southeast of Greensburg.
- Feb 24, 2018Tornado$130,000
National Weather Service narrative
An EF2 tornado touched down east of a row of trees, where it caused roof damage to 2 out of 3 barns. The tornado headed east, where it downed 2 other barns. One, on the left side of the path, was shifted south, and the other, to the right of the path, was shifted north. Tall grass along a fence line within the width of the tornado showed evidence of convergence. Also, a large tree on the north side of the path was snapped southward and drug 10 feet south. Heading east, several trees fell near a residence, but none damaged the house itself. A detached garage had its door blown outward. Next, a 2 story house had some roof damage and a porch on the lee side of the house had a column…
- Apr 5, 2017Tornado$100,000
National Weather Service narrative
The tornado touched down in an open field and moved northeast toward a corner on Mahogany Lane. Two small vortices, one 50 yards wide and the other 100 yards wide, reached speeds up to 105 mph as they destroyed a large, well-built barn and two smaller outbuildings in addition to a fifth wheel trailer. The debris from each of these structures was blown to the northeast up to �� mile, and exhibited both convergence and rotation.
- May 27, 2004Thunderstorm Wind$75,000
National Weather Service narrative
A shingle roof was blown off a warehouse. A portion of a sheet metal wall was blown out of another warehouse. Part of the roof was blown off a gas station. A few warehouse doors were blown in. Several large trees were downed.
- Jul 9, 2015Thunderstorm Wind$50,000
National Weather Service narrative
A Kentucky state official reported that multiple trees and power lines were down with structural damage reported as well.
- Feb 24, 2018Thunderstorm Wind$50,000
National Weather Service narrative
Local media reported trees and power lines down with power outages.
- Jun 11, 2018Thunderstorm Wind$50,000
National Weather Service narrative
The Emergency Manager reported a communications tower buckled due to severe thunderstorm winds.
- Apr 22, 2005High Wind, Green$50,000
National Weather Service narrative
Gradient winds blew the roof off a building in downtown Greensburg.
- 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 Mammoth Cave, 34.8 miles from the county’s population centre, with records from 1934.
- All-time high
- 108°F2 times, most recently Jun 30, 2012
- All-time low
- −21°FFeb 2, 1951
- Warmest night
- 81°FAug 16, 1988
- Coldest day
- 5°FJan 23, 1936
- Wettest day
- 6.80 inMay 7, 1984
- Snowiest day
- 16.0 inMar 9, 1960
- Hottest year
- 2024mean 62.2°F
- Coldest year
- 1940mean 53.7°F
- Wettest year
- 195071.86 in
- Driest year
- 199926.27 in
Station Mammoth Cave (USC00155097), 760 ft elevation, 34.8 miles from the population centre. Daily records from 1934 to October 26, 2026; 88.6% 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
27 since 1953. The most recent: Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides, September 1, 2026.
| Sep 1, 2026 | Severe Storm | DR-4937-KY |
| 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 24, 2025 | Severe Storm | DR-4860-KY |
| Feb 16, 2025 | Severe Storm | EM-3624-KY |
| Jul 23, 2024 | Severe Storm | DR-4804-KY |
| Apr 10, 2023 | Severe Storm | DR-4702-KY |
| Feb 27, 2022 | Severe Storm | DR-4643-KY |
| Mar 28, 2020 | Biological | DR-4497-KY |
| Mar 13, 2020 | Biological | EM-3469-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 |
| Sep 10, 2005 | Hurricane | EM-3231-KY |
| Aug 6, 2004 | Severe Storm | DR-1537-KY |
| Mar 14, 2003 | Severe Storm | DR-1454-KY |
| May 7, 2002 | Severe Storm | DR-1414-KY |
| Mar 4, 1997 | Severe Storm | DR-1163-KY |
| Jan 13, 1996 | Snowstorm | DR-1089-KY |
| Jun 13, 1995 | Tornado | DR-1055-KY |
| Mar 16, 1994 | Snowstorm | DR-1018-KY |
| Mar 16, 1993 | Snowstorm | EM-3104-KY |
| May 15, 1984 | Severe Storm | DR-705-KY |
| Apr 4, 1974 | Tornado | DR-420-KY |
| May 10, 1971 | Tornado | DR-305-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 Green County stands among 120 counties in Kentucky and 3,143 in the United States.
| Tornadoes since 1950 | 11 | 54 / 120 |
| Tornadoes rated F3/EF3 or stronger | 2 | 31 / 120 |
| Tropical cyclones within 50 mi | 3 | 6 / 120 |
| Hurricane-strength passes within 50 mi | 0 | — |
| Wildfire acres since 1984 | 0 | — |
| Flood insurance claims | 3 | 106 / 120 |
| Flood insurance paid | $205,000 | 93 / 120 |
| Disaster declarations | 27 | 53 / 120 |
| Flood events since 1996 | 28 | 112 / 120 |
| Hail and wind events since 1996 | 158 | 78 / 120 |
| Winter storm events since 1996 | 23 | 111 / 120 |
| Reported damage since 1996 | $2.5 million | 99 / 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 | 128 | 56 / 120 |
| Medium or heavy smoke days a year, last 10 years | 14.3 | 68 / 120 |
| Earthquakes M4+ within 50 mi since 1900 | 0 | — |
| Earthquakes M2.5+ in the county since 1973 | 0 | — |
Neighbouring counties
| Adair County | 13 | 3 |
| Hart County | 18 | 2 |
| Larue County | 14 | 2 |
| Metcalfe County | 19 | 3 |
| Taylor County | 13 | 3 |
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 USC00155097.
- 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.
- 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.