Independence, KY Tornado History — 83 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Independence, KY had?
Independence has had 83 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950, including 13 strong to violent (EF3+) tornadoes.
When was the most recent tornado near Independence?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Independence was an Unrated on July 20, 2025.
When is tornado season in Independence?
April is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Independence, with 26 on record. April through June account for 47 of the 83 tornadoes on record near Independence.
At a Glance
Recent Tornado Activity Near Independence
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 31 total, averaging 1.6 per year over this window.
Preliminary tornado reports near Independence since December 29, 2025
These are 4 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Preliminary reports are revised, merged, and sometimes withdrawn — historically about 23% are consolidated downward once surveys complete.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.
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)
The National Weather Service confirmed an EF-1 tornado occurred during the early morning hours on June 18... 2026 north of Williamstown in Grant County... KY. The most (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 Independence. Quoted text is the report narrative exactly as filed. Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center preliminary storm reports, updated daily.
What storm spotters reported near Independence
One local storm report has been filed within 25 miles of Independence 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 Independence 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 Independence
29 fatalities have been recorded within 25 miles of Independence since 1950, across 10 events. 1,211 injuries have been reported across all events. 2012 was the deadliest year on record near Independence.
The deadliest single event was an F4 on April 23, 1968, which caused 6 fatalities along a 78.7-mile track.
Notable Tornadoes Near Independence
What the record shows near Independence
The 1990s were the busiest decade near Independence, with 15 of the 83 confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles; the 2020s have produced 14 so far. The Independence record runs from the 1950s to today.
Of the tornadoes rated near Independence, 62 reached EF0 or EF1 and 20 reached EF2 or stronger. The most intense on record near Independence is rated EF5, of which 1 is logged. A further 1 near Independence is unrated — events NOAA logged before a damage survey assigned a scale.
Across the last 20 years Independence has averaged 1.6 confirmed tornadoes a year within 25 miles, 31 in total. 2020 was the busiest of them with 8, and 5 of those years passed with none at all.