The April 3, 1974 tornado

F4Hardin, Nelson and Spencer counties, Kentucky

An F4 tornado on a 37.9-mile path that killed 3 and injured 81. It was one of 128 tornadoes recorded in the U.S. that day, 60 of them rated F3/EF3 or stronger.

Watch how it happened Part of the outbreak of April 3, 1974: 128 tornadoes in 11 states

F4 tornado · April 3, 1974

How it happened

Follow the tornado’s path, minute by minute.

About this replay
Local time (EST)—Historical replay — logged times
Distance—of 37.9 miles
Now in—
RatingF4

The tornado

Rating
F4
Fujita scale
Path length
37.9 mi
Width up to 10 yards
Killed
3
Along the whole path
Injured
81
Along the whole path
Date and time
Wednesday, April 3, 1974
4:45 PM EST
That day
128
tornadoes in the U.S.; every one, with a replay of the day

The National Weather Service account

Written by the local Weather Service office after its damage survey.

The storm system that day

Moved from northwest of Elizabethtown, doing damage on the north side of town. Moving into Nelson County, produced significant damage near Cox's Creek where the Whitney Horse Farm was damaged, crossing Lilly Pike where several homes, barns, and trailers were demolished, across Murray Road, and then across KY 44. On Murray Road a father and son were in their milking barn when they saw the storm approach. They got under some heavy equipment for shelter and the barn came down around them. They were rescued several hours later as workers and neighbors cleared Murray Road of trees and debris. The father was taken to the hospital in critical condition but the son was OK. As the twister crossed Murray Road and Elk Creek it was about 300 yards wide.

NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database.

Counties on its path

Other notable tornadoes that day

Storm Prediction Center severe weather database. Path drawn as a straight line from the recorded start to end point.