Burlington, KY Tornado History — 84 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Burlington, KY had?
Burlington has had 84 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950, including 12 strong to violent (EF3+) tornadoes.
When was the most recent tornado near Burlington?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Burlington was an Unrated on July 20, 2025.
When is tornado season in Burlington?
April is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Burlington, with 28 on record. April through June account for 50 of the 84 tornadoes on record near Burlington.
At a Glance
Recent Tornado Activity Near Burlington
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 33 total, averaging 1.6 per year over this window.
Preliminary tornado reports near Burlington since December 29, 2025
These are 5 preliminary reports, not confirmed tornadoes. They have not yet been through an NWS damage survey, and are not counted in the confirmed totals above.
Preliminary reports are revised, merged, and sometimes withdrawn — historically about 23% are consolidated downward once surveys complete. Ratings are omitted until a survey assigns one.
Confirmed records above are complete through December 29, 2025. NOAA publishes the confirmed archive annually, so tornadoes after that date appear here first and move into the totals above once finalized.
Corrects previous tornado report from 3 WSW Saint Leon. An EF-1 tornado occurred just east of Lawrenceville in northern Dearborn County. The tornado moved north-northea (ILN)
The first evidence of tornadic damage was observed at the Pierce Reserve & Trails on Pond Run Road... where numerous large tree limbs were knocked down. The tornado str (ILN)
An EF-2 tornado was confirmed in Franklin County... Indiana... crossing over into Butler County... Ohio. The maximum estimated winds for this tornado were around 125 MP (ILN)
An EF-1 Tornado was confirmed by the National Weather Service starting in Boone County and ending in Kenton County... Kentucky. The tornado occurred in the early mornin (ILN)
An EF-2 tornado was confirmed by the National Weather Service beginning near Dillsboro in Dearborn County... Indiana and continuing through Ohio County... Indiana befor (ILN)
Within 25 miles of Burlington. Quoted text is the report narrative exactly as filed. Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center preliminary storm reports, updated daily.
What storm spotters reported near Burlington
One local storm report has been filed within 25 miles of Burlington and since confirmed into the NOAA archive, the earliest on July 20, 2025 and the most recent on July 20, 2025. It is already counted in the Burlington totals above; quoted below is the narrative the reporting office filed at the time.
An EFU tornado was confirmed using videos from social media... broadcast media... and local officials. The tornado was contained within heavily forested areas... limiti (ILN)
Source: National Weather Service and trained-spotter local storm reports, relayed by the NOAA Storm Prediction Center.
Tornadoes by Decade
Tornadoes by Enhanced Fujita Rating
F0–F5 ratings (pre-2007) are grouped with their EF equivalents. The Enhanced Fujita scale replaced the original Fujita scale in February 2007.
Tornadoes by Month
Casualties on Record Near Burlington
23 fatalities have been recorded within 25 miles of Burlington since 1950, across 9 events. 877 injuries have been reported across all events. 2012 was the deadliest year on record near Burlington.
The deadliest single event was an EF4 on March 2, 2012, which caused 4 fatalities along a 9.8-mile track.
Notable Tornadoes Near Burlington
What the record shows near Burlington
The 1970s were the busiest decade near Burlington, with 16 of the 84 confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles; the 2020s have produced 16 so far. The Burlington record runs from the 1950s to today.
Of the tornadoes rated near Burlington, 64 reached EF0 or EF1 and 19 reached EF2 or stronger. The most intense on record near Burlington is rated EF5, of which 1 is logged. A further 1 near Burlington is unrated — events NOAA logged before a damage survey assigned a scale.
Across the last 20 years Burlington has averaged 1.6 confirmed tornadoes a year within 25 miles, 33 in total. 2020 was the busiest of them with 10, and 8 of those years passed with none at all.