“The Bluegrass State” experiences all four seasons, but due to its location, Kentucky has milder temperatures in colder months. Average temperatures haven’t dipped below the 30s in over three decades. In the peak of summer, the average temperatures hover in the 80s.
Kentucky has a long history with violent tornadoes. Since 1878, there have been 35 tornadoes that fall within the F4, EF4, F5, and EF5 categories. During this period, there were 446 fatalities due to the violent weather, some which occurred in neighboring states like Indiana.
Kentucky doesn’t experience F and EF 4 or 5 tornadoes regularly, but an average of 20 tornadoes hit the state every year, particularly during April through June, which is peak tornado season.
In April of 1974, numerous tornadoes affected over 20 counties throughout Kentucky within a five-hour period. The aftermath left multiple fatalities and millions of dollars in damages.
Although the majority of tornadoes occur between April and June, it’s not uncommon to experience a tornado during other times of the year.
One tornado struck Hopkins County in November of 2005. The multiple vortex tornado barely missed towns like Madisonville, but Earlington received most of the damage destroying 151 buildings.
Kentucky is not part of the infamous “Tornado Alley,” but due to the increase of damaging tornadoes in the last four decades areas throughout the Southeast are becoming part of “Dixie Alley.” Climatologists warn that tornadoes that result in damages over $10 billion may become more common.
Other severe weather events like thunderstorms, hail, wind storms, and flooding occur throughout the year in Kentucky.
Heavy snowfall is not common in most areas of Kentucky, but some winter storms bring higher than average snowfalls which can increase the risk of damage to homes or risk of flooding. Due
to the weight of heavy snow, structural damage is more likely to occur, and when significant snowfalls begin to melt, flooding can occur in or around homes.
In January 2016, the central and south-central areas of Kentucky received between 9 and 19 inches of snow in 24 hours. High wind gusts, sleet, and freezing rain also accompanied the fast-
moving snowstorm.
The Kentucky FAIR Plan offers basic property and casualty insurance to homeowners who are unable to get insurance through the voluntary markets. The FAIR plan is not your only insurance option if you live in a high-risk area. The private insurance marketplace is an alternative Kentucky FAIR Plan, which is an affordable way to protect your most valuable assets.