LOUISVILLE, Ky. — 2025 has been a year marked by destruction, resilience and recovery in Kentucky.

From relentless flooding to deadly tornadoes, people across the commonwealth have been tested in ways few could have imagined.


What You Need To Know

  • The National Weather Service reports there were 46 tornadoes in Kentucky from the start of the year through the end of May

  • The governor's office reports 22 Kentuckians died from storms in February that brought flooding, snow and cold weather

  • Kentucky faced both tornadoes and widespread flooding in April 
  • There were 15 tornadoes in May, including an EF4 that hit Laurel and Pulaski counties

Tornado overview

The National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center reports there were 46 tornadoes from the start of the year through the end of May. For comparison, there were 57 reported in 2024, 34 in 2023, 26 in 2022, 36 in 2021 and 22 in 2020.

Keep in mind, we aren't even halfway through 2025 yet. Plus, tornadoes have not been the only threat.

February

Significant rain and snow brought heavy flooding, hitting some of the same communities that were still rebuilding from the deadly 2022 flooding in eastern Kentucky.

Businesses along Main Street in Hazard, Kentucky, took on feet of water from the Feb. 2025 storms, which brought impactful flooding to the commonwealth. Some residents said it's an all-too-familiar feeling, as the Perry County city was also hit hard by the historic 2022 flooding. (Spectrum News 1/Mason Brighton)

"Man, we've been punched too much; we've had our guts knocked out," said Rocky Adkins, senior adviser to Gov. Andy Beshear, D-Ky., during a visit to some of the hardest hit areas in Feb. 2025. 

That flooding was followed by bitter cold, and there were also four tornadoes that month. In all, the governor's office reports the significant weather event claimed the lives of 22 Kentuckians.

March

The NWS reports there were also eight tornadoes in March.

April

In April, just two months after the February floods, more Kentucky communities were dealing with high water. State leaders reported seven people died from the April flooding.

"I can't do nothing but cry," said Nelson County resident Melissa Frazier, after she was affected by the April floods. "I don't know how I'm going to get it back together."

There were also 19 tornadoes in April, including an EF3 that hit the Louisville area.

May

May was another month of destruction with 15 tornadoes. That includes an EF4 that hit Pulaski and Laurel counties.

A kitchen is all that stands as a house sits destroyed May 18, 2025, after the May 16 severe storm that killed at least 19 people, injured several others and caused widespread property damage. (Spectrum News 1/Jonathon Gregg)

"When I heard the noise coming through, I laid down on the floor and ended up way down over there in some of that debris hanging on," said Laurel County resident Monroe Murphy as he recalled how he survived the tornado. "I felt it just trying to suck me away." 

Beshear's office said 20 Kentuckians died from those storms. At the end of the month, another Kentuckian died from an EF2 tornado in Washington County.

Resilience

It's been a tough year, no doubt. However, in the face of so much loss, Kentuckians have shown their unbreakable spirit.

Amid the chaos, people have come together. They've supported one another. They've shown the bonds of humanity are stronger than any storm.

One way to help those affected is to donate to the Team Kentucky Storm Relief Fund. By the end of May, that fund had raised more than $1.5 million to support Kentuckians in need.