Trimble County
Population 8,701 (2025) 148 sq mi
Property owners in Trimble County have filed 43 federal flood insurance claims since 1978, 59th 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 195010
- Tropical cyclone tracks within 100 miles since 1851, wider where stronger2
At a glance
The record for Trimble County in eight numbers. Each links to its section below.
Tornadoes since 1950
10
59th of 120 in Kentucky
About as many as the typical Kentucky county
DetailsTropical cyclones within 50 mi
1
78th of 120 in Kentucky
None at hurricane strength since 1851
DetailsStrongest tornado
EF4
March 2, 2012, 46.6 mile path
Strongest tropical cyclone
TS
Tropical storm (unnamed), 1888, 37.5 miles away
Tornadoes
About one every 7.6 years since 1950, 3 of them rated F3/EF3 or stronger.
Strongest
March 2, 2012
EF4, 46.6 mile path
800 yards wide; 11 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 |
| May 1, 2012 | EF0 | 1.9 | 0 | 0 |
| Mar 2, 2012 | EF0 | 2.7 | 0 | 0 |
| Mar 2, 2012 | EF3 | 3.3 | 0 | 0 |
| Mar 2, 2012 | EF4 | 46.6 | 0 | 11 |
| Oct 26, 2010 | EF0 | 1.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Sep 18, 1992 | F1 | 1.5 | 0 | 0 |
| Jun 2, 1990 | F3 | 17.0 | 5 | 0 |
| Jun 23, 1984 | F1 | 0.1 | 1 | 0 |
| Nov 25, 1973 | F1 | 0.5 | 0 | 0 |
- Injuries and deaths are for the tornado’s whole path, which may extend beyond the county. Deaths recorded within Trimble 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
37.5 miles at closest approach, winds near 52 mph.
Most recent
September 27, 2024
Helene, Remnant low
65.2 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: 51 days
Heavy smoke on 14 days in 2023, the most of any year.
Last 10 years
16.4 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
43 federal flood insurance claims since 1978, with $700,000 paid.
Most claims in one year
1997: 14 claims
$187,000 paid.
2nd most
1978: 9 claims
$9,001 paid.
3rd most
2025: 7 claims
$355,000 paid.
Claims by ZIP code
| 40045 | 35 | $601,000 |
| 40006 | 6 | $81,000 |
Flood events since 1996
- Flash Flood27
- Flood10
- 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 123 of 1,581 months since 1895 (8%); the longest spell lasted 18 months.
123
Months in severe drought or worse since 1895
67
Months in extreme drought
8%
Share of all months, severe or worse
Lowest reading
July 1954
−6.21, extreme drought
Longest severe spell
18 months
August 1953 to January 1955.
Latest month
September 2026
+1.50, slightly wet
Last severe month: December 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
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
3
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; 21.5 miles away, 9.3 miles deep.
Most recent, magnitude 3 or more
June 4, 1987
Magnitude 3.1
9 km SW of Shepherdsville, Kentucky; 44.9 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
10
Landslides mapped, probable or better
2
With a recorded date
2
Source inventories
Mapped by KY GS (9), 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
198 events in the National Weather Service record, 187 of them since 1996.
12
Hail reports, 1 inch or larger
2
Hail, 2 inches or larger
84
Damaging gusts, 58 mph+
28
Winter weather events since 1996
0
Heat events since 1996
5
Cold events since 1996
Largest hail
July 20, 2018
2.75 inches
Strongest measured or estimated gust
November 9, 2000
81 mph
Costliest events since 1996
- Mar 2, 1997Flood, Trimble$600,000
National Weather Service narrative
Record rainfalls from late Friday evening February 28 through Sunday morning March 2 and additional heavy rainfall on Tuesday March 4 caused the worst flooding on the Ohio River since 1964 and in some spots since 1937. Damage attributed to river flooding alone was at 115 million across Jefferson county Kentucky bringing the total damage across the county to 200 million including the earlier flash flooding and flooding. McAlpine Lock at Louisville climbed over flood stage late Sunday evening March 2 and crested at 38.8 feet on the upper gauge (flood stage is 23 feet) at 5 am est March 7 and on the lower gauge at 70.6 feet (flood stage is 55 feet) at 6 pm est on March 7. At other…
- Mar 2, 2012Tornado$500,000
National Weather Service narrative
The tornado first touched down about 5 miles south of Milton just southwest of the intersection of Routes 421 and 1226. After damaging several trees just west of Route 421, this narrow funnel rapidly increased in intensity as it crossed Route 421 and struck Milton Firestation number 2. The station was heavily damaged with the collapse of rigid frames. A two ton concession trailer was moved 30 yards, while a pickup truck was moved 60 yards. Damage to the fire station and a pumper exceeded 300 thousand dollars. Damage to the station indicated 140 mph winds and a tornado with EF-3 intensity. After extensively damaging many trees along Route 1226, the tornado weakened to an EF-1 at…
- Jan 29, 2008Thunderstorm Wind$300,000
National Weather Service narrative
Thunderstorm winds damaged homes, barns, and farm equipment. Power lines were also downed.
- Mar 1, 2017Thunderstorm Wind$250,000
National Weather Service narrative
The Trimble County Emergency Manager reported that almost every house on Smith Lane was damaged. The severe thunderstorm winds resulted in most locations without power in the county. There were also many other buildings, mobile homes, and greenhouses damaged due to the thunderstorms.
- Mar 1, 2017Thunderstorm Wind$250,000
National Weather Service narrative
A NWS Storm Survey found an intermittent swath of straight line winds occurred from just east of Wises Landing in Trimble County east to the intersection of US 421 and Highway 316. There were two areas of more intense damage where 70-80 mph winds occurred. The first was along Gills Ridge Road where 2 large barns sustained serious roof damage and were shifted slightly. The second was along Smith Lane where several outbuildings were completely destroyed, and debris was scattered 200 to 250 yards downwind. Several homes sustained shingle and siding damage. Numerous large trees were also snapped and uprooted. Damage in this area was consistent with wind speeds between 65 and 80 mph.
- Feb 6, 2008Thunderstorm Wind$100,000
National Weather Service narrative
Thunderstorm winds blew a tree on to a trailer destroyed on Pike Road. Power lines were downed on Pyles Road.
- May 10, 1996Flash Flood$100,000
National Weather Service narrative
Heavy rain caused flash flooding to many parts of the county according to the DES. Water was up over some roads and bridges and covered some of the sewer lift stations in Milton. The County Judge Executive declared the county a state of emergency. The damage to county and state roads were estimated at 100K. In some areas, the black top was stripped from roads. Some homes and trailers were evacuated from Ky 421 and 42.
- Jul 5, 2004Thunderstorm Wind$80,000
- Jul 14, 2015Flash Flood$75,000
National Weather Service narrative
A trained spotter reported that mobile homes were washed downstream Corn Creek where Joyce Mill Rd and Highway 625 intersect. Several inches of rain fell in the area on top of very saturated ground.
- Mar 2, 2012Tornado$75,000
National Weather Service narrative
The massive EF-4 that crossed southern Indiana finally lifted in Trimble County after a solid path length of 49 miles. This tornado crossed the Ohio River as an EF-1 with a 200 yard wide path length. It damaged a home and two barns on Roger's Road. The barns were overturned with several trees damaged in a manner consistent with 105 mph winds. The tornado then crossed a heavily wooded area near the intersection of Routes 625 and 1838 and damaged some garage shingles. At this point, a second satellite vortex developed just to the south of the main circulation. It totally destroyed a barn on Rodgers Road and extensively damaged another. It severely damaged a rugged forested area…
- 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 Louisville International Airport, 37.4 miles from the county’s population centre, with records from 1948.
- All-time high
- 106°F2 times, most recently Jul 7, 2012
- All-time low
- −22°FJan 19, 1994
- Warmest night
- 83°F3 times, most recently Jun 29, 2024
- Coldest day
- 1°FJan 20, 1985
- Wettest day
- 7.22 inMar 1, 1997
- Snowiest day
- 15.5 inJan 17, 1994
- Hottest year
- 2024mean 61.9°F
- Coldest year
- 1960mean 54.5°F
- Wettest year
- 201868.83 in
- Driest year
- 195330.38 in
- Snowiest season
- 50.1 in1977-78
Median first snow
December 3
Earliest: October 19, 1989
Median last snow
March 17
Latest: April 21, 2021
0 of 75 winters had no measurable snow.
Station Louisville International Airport (USW00093821), 480 ft elevation, 37.4 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 |
| 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 |
| Aug 12, 2015 | Severe Storm | DR-4239-KY |
| Mar 6, 2012 | Severe Storm | DR-4057-KY |
| May 4, 2011 | Severe Storm | DR-1976-KY |
| Aug 14, 2009 | Severe Storm | DR-1855-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 Trimble County stands among 120 counties in Kentucky and 3,143 in the United States.
| Tornadoes since 1950 | 10 | 59 / 120 |
| Tornadoes rated F3/EF3 or stronger | 3 | 16 / 120 |
| Tropical cyclones within 50 mi | 1 | 78 / 120 |
| Hurricane-strength passes within 50 mi | 0 | — |
| Wildfire acres since 1984 | 0 | — |
| Flood insurance claims | 43 | 59 / 120 |
| Flood insurance paid | $700,000 | 67 / 120 |
| Disaster declarations | 22 | 94 / 120 |
| Flood events since 1996 | 38 | 97 / 120 |
| Hail and wind events since 1996 | 109 | 113 / 120 |
| Winter storm events since 1996 | 28 | 101 / 120 |
| Reported damage since 1996 | $2.7 million | 95 / 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 | 16.4 | 14 / 120 |
| Earthquakes M4+ within 50 mi since 1900 | 0 | — |
| Earthquakes M2.5+ in the county since 1973 | 0 | — |
Neighbouring counties
| Carroll County | 9 | 1 |
| Clark County IN | 28 | 1 |
| Henry County | 18 | 1 |
| Jefferson County IN | 21 | 1 |
| Oldham County | 14 | 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 USW00093821.
- 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.