Tornadoes and Hail in Kentucky, April 3, 1974

Name: Tornadoes and Hail in Kentucky, April 3, 1974
Start: 1974-04-03T12:30
End: 1974-04-03T22:30
Location: Kentucky

April 3, 1974 · 75 events in 50 counties and zones

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it. Tap one for its entry below.

Tornadoes
Tropical storms and surge
Floods
Wind
Hail
Winter weather
Heat and drought
Cold
Fire, smoke and dust
Marine and coastal
Other

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths: 71
Injuries: 1,272
Property damage: $67 million
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 75

Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.

What happened

The episode as NWS forecasters wrote it up.

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.

Event by event

52 tornado, 14 hail, 9 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.

Hail, Union

When: April 3, 12:30 PM CST
Where: Union County
Measured: 2.5 in hail
Coordinates: 37.550, -87.980

Thunderstorm Wind, Union

When: April 3, 12:30 PM CST
Where: Union County
Coordinates: 37.550, -87.980

Hail, Henderson

When: April 3, 12:45 PM CST
Where: Henderson County
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Coordinates: 37.750, -87.580

Hail, Caldwell

When: April 3, 1:00 PM CST
Where: Caldwell County
Measured: 2.75 in hail
Coordinates: 37.120, -87.870

Hail, Trigg

When: April 3, 1:00 PM CST
Where: Trigg County
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Coordinates: 36.780, -88.020

Thunderstorm Wind, Caldwell

When: April 3, 1:00 PM CST
Where: Caldwell County
Coordinates: 37.120, -87.870

Hail, Christian

When: April 3, 2:00 PM CST
Where: Christian County
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Coordinates: 36.850, -87.430

Hail, Christian

When: April 3, 2:00 PM CST
Where: Christian County
Measured: 2.75 in hail
Coordinates: 37.000, -87.370

Thunderstorm Wind, Christian

When: April 3, 2:00 PM CST
Where: Christian County
Coordinates: 37.000, -87.370

Hail, Boone

When: April 3, 2:19 PM CST
Where: Boone County
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Coordinates: 39.050, -84.670

Tornado, Breckinridge

When: April 3, 2:20 PM CST
Where: Breckinridge County
Rating: F5
Path length: 17.1 mi
Path width: 440 yd
Injuries: 13 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $2.5 million
Coordinates: 37.730, -86.530

Hail, Ohio

When: April 3, 2:30 PM CST
Where: Ohio County
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Coordinates: 37.400, -86.880

Tornado, Meade

When: April 3, 2:35 PM CST
Where: Meade County
Rating: F5
Path length: 10 mi
Path width: 440 yd
Deaths: 31 direct, 0 indirect
Injuries: 257 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $2.5 million
Coordinates: 37.900, -86.300

Hail, Butler

When: April 3, 2:40 PM CST
Where: Butler County
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Coordinates: 37.220, -86.700

Hail, Meade

When: April 3, 2:50 PM CST
Where: Meade County
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Coordinates: 38.000, -86.170

Tornado, Grayson

When: April 3, 3:00 PM CST
Where: Grayson County
Rating: F4
Path length: 14 mi
Path width: 150 yd
Injuries: 2 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $250
Coordinates: 37.420, -86.570

Hail, Nicholas

When: April 3, 3:00 PM CST
Where: Nicholas County
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Coordinates: 38.320, -84.030

Thunderstorm Wind, Nicholas

When: April 3, 3:00 PM CST
Where: Nicholas County
Coordinates: 38.320, -84.030

Tornado, Boone

When: April 3, 3:25 PM CST
Where: Boone County
Rating: F5
Path length: 14 mi
Path width: 33 yd
Injuries: 20 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $2.5 million
Coordinates: 38.980, -84.870

Hail, Jefferson

When: April 3, 3:30 PM CST
Where: Jefferson County
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Coordinates: 38.230, -85.780

Tornado, Jefferson

When: April 3, 3:37 PM CST
Where: Jefferson County
Rating: F4
Path length: 14.2 mi
Path width: 33 yd
Deaths: 3 direct, 0 indirect
Injuries: 225 direct, 0 indirect
Coordinates: 38.200, -85.750

Hail, Hardin

When: April 3, 3:40 PM CST
Where: Hardin County
Measured: 4.5 in hail
Coordinates: 37.800, -85.980

Thunderstorm Wind, Jefferson

When: April 3, 3:40 PM CST
Where: Jefferson County
Measured: 54 kt (62 mph)
Coordinates: 38.230, -85.780

Hail, Warren

When: April 3, 3:43 PM CST
Where: Warren County
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Coordinates: 36.970, -86.420

Tornado, Simpson

When: April 3, 3:45 PM CST
Where: Simpson County
Rating: F3
Path length: 9.2 mi
Path width: 33 yd
Deaths: 1 direct, 0 indirect
Injuries: 12 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $2.5 million
Coordinates: 36.720, -86.530

Tornado, Hardin

When: April 3, 4:45 PM EST to 4:55 PM EST
Where: Hardin County, Elizabethtown
Rating: F4
Path length: 9.9 mi
Path width: 400 yd
Deaths: 2 direct, 0 indirect
Injuries: 57 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $250,000
Reported by: WFO
Coordinates: 37.720, -85.900

Tornado, Oldham

When: April 3, 3:50 PM CST
Where: Oldham County
Rating: F4
Path length: 4.3 mi
Path width: 33 yd
Property damage: $250
Coordinates: 38.320, -85.530

Tornado, Warren

When: April 3, 3:55 PM CST
Where: Warren County
Rating: F3
Path length: 17.2 mi
Path width: 33 yd
Deaths: 2 direct, 0 indirect
Injuries: 45 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $2.5 million
Coordinates: 36.800, -86.400

Tornado, Nelson

When: April 3, 4:55 PM EST to 5:25 PM EST
Where: Nelson County, Bardstown to Fairfield
Rating: F4
Path length: 21 mi
Path width: 400 yd
Deaths: 1 direct, 0 indirect
Injuries: 24 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $250,000
Reported by: WFO
Coordinates: 37.778, -85.734

Tornado, Henry

When: April 3, 4:15 PM CST
Where: Henry County
Rating: F1
Path length: 21.3 mi
Path width: 33 yd
Injuries: 18 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $25,000
Coordinates: 38.380, -85.330

Tornado, Barren

When: April 3, 4:15 PM CST
Where: Barren County
Rating: F3
Path length: 4.7 mi
Path width: 33 yd
Property damage: $2.5 million
Coordinates: 36.950, -86.150

Tornado, Spencer

When: April 3, 5:25 PM EST to 5:31 PM EST
Where: Spencer County, Taylorsville
Rating: F4
Path length: 5.3 mi
Path width: 400 yd
Property damage: $25,000
Reported by: WFO
Coordinates: 37.965, -85.442

Tornado, Owen

When: April 3, 4:35 PM CST
Where: Owen County
Rating: F1
Path length: 10.4 mi
Path width: 33 yd
Property damage: $3,000
Coordinates: 38.550, -85.000

Tornado, Green

When: April 3, 4:40 PM CST
Where: Green County
Rating: F4
Path length: 5.7 mi
Path width: 33 yd
Injuries: 3 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $2.5 million
Coordinates: 37.220, -85.470

Tornado, Taylor

When: April 3, 4:45 PM CST
Where: Taylor County
Rating: F4
Path length: 14.5 mi
Path width: 33 yd
Injuries: 53 direct, 0 indirect
Coordinates: 37.280, -85.400

Tornado, Anderson

When: April 3, 4:50 PM CST
Where: Anderson County
Rating: F4
Path length: 7.6 mi
Path width: 33 yd
Property damage: $250
Coordinates: 38.050, -85.070

Tornado, Franklin

When: April 3, 5:00 PM CST
Where: Franklin County
Rating: F4
Path length: 18.9 mi
Path width: 33 yd
Deaths: 4 direct, 0 indirect
Injuries: 85 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $250,000
Coordinates: 38.120, -84.950

Thunderstorm Wind, Franklin

When: April 3, 5:00 PM CST
Where: Franklin County
Measured: 85 kt (98 mph)
Coordinates: 38.180, -84.900

Thunderstorm Wind, Grant

When: April 3, 5:10 PM CST
Where: Grant County
Coordinates: 38.680, -84.580

Tornado, Scott

When: April 3, 5:15 PM CST
Where: Scott County
Rating: F4
Path length: 53.5 mi
Path width: 33 yd
Injuries: 37 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $250,000
Coordinates: 38.230, -84.730

Tornado, Casey

When: April 3, 5:35 PM CST
Where: Casey County
Rating: F3
Path length: 5.2 mi
Path width: 33 yd
Property damage: $2.5 million
Coordinates: 37.430, -84.920

Tornado, Lincoln

When: April 3, 5:40 PM CST
Where: Lincoln County
Rating: F3
Path length: 7.2 mi
Path width: 33 yd
Injuries: 65 direct, 0 indirect
Coordinates: 37.500, -84.870

Tornado, Cumberland

When: April 3, 5:40 PM CST
Where: Cumberland County
Rating: F4
Path length: 7.1 mi
Path width: 33 yd
Injuries: 33 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $25,000
Coordinates: 36.650, -85.370

Tornado, Boyle

When: April 3, 5:45 PM CST
Where: Boyle County
Rating: F3
Path length: 8.7 mi
Path width: 33 yd
Deaths: 1 direct, 0 indirect
Injuries: 33 direct, 0 indirect
Coordinates: 37.580, -84.780

Tornado, Clinton

When: April 3, 5:50 PM CST
Where: Clinton County
Rating: F4
Path length: 14.6 mi
Path width: 33 yd
Deaths: 8 direct, 0 indirect
Injuries: 63 direct, 0 indirect
Coordinates: 36.720, -85.270

Tornado, Harrison

When: April 3, 5:55 PM CST
Where: Harrison County
Rating: F3
Path length: 17 mi
Path width: 33 yd
Injuries: 27 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $25,000
Coordinates: 38.330, -84.430

Tornado, Wayne

When: April 3, 6:05 PM CST
Where: Wayne County
Rating: F3
Path length: 14.4 mi
Path width: 33 yd
Property damage: $25 million
Coordinates: 36.850, -84.970

Tornado, Wayne

When: April 3, 6:05 PM CST
Where: Wayne County
Rating: F4
Path length: 16.7 mi
Path width: 33 yd
Deaths: 2 direct, 0 indirect
Injuries: 17 direct, 0 indirect
Coordinates: 36.820, -85.030

Tornado, Boyle

When: April 3, 6:12 PM CST
Where: Boyle County
Rating: F2
Path length: 3.6 mi
Path width: 33 yd
Injuries: 10 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $250,000
Coordinates: 37.680, -84.930

Tornado, Pulaski

When: April 3, 6:12 PM CST
Where: Pulaski County
Rating: F3
Path length: 3.6 mi
Path width: 33 yd
Injuries: 5 direct, 0 indirect
Coordinates: 36.970, -84.750

Tornado, Robertson

When: April 3, 6:15 PM CST
Where: Robertson County
Rating: F3
Path length: 2.3 mi
Path width: 33 yd
Coordinates: 38.480, -84.180

Tornado, Mercer

When: April 3, 6:20 PM CST
Where: Mercer County
Rating: F2
Path length: 12.6 mi
Path width: 33 yd
Property damage: $250,000
Coordinates: 37.700, -84.870

Tornado, Garrard

When: April 3, 6:20 PM CST
Where: Garrard County
Rating: F4
Path length: 1.3 mi
Path width: 33 yd
Coordinates: 37.720, -84.500

Tornado, Madison

When: April 3, 6:25 PM CST
Where: Madison County
Rating: F4
Path length: 15.6 mi
Path width: 33 yd
Deaths: 7 direct, 0 indirect
Injuries: 20 direct, 0 indirect
Coordinates: 37.730, -84.480

Tornado, Madison

When: April 3, 6:30 PM CST
Where: Madison County
Rating: F2
Path length: 4.7 mi
Path width: 33 yd
Property damage: $25,000
Coordinates: 37.830, -84.430

Tornado, Clark

When: April 3, 6:45 PM CST
Where: Clark County
Rating: F4
Path length: 15 mi
Path width: 33 yd
Injuries: 8 direct, 0 indirect
Coordinates: 37.880, -84.270

Tornado, Pulaski

When: April 3, 6:55 PM CST
Where: Pulaski County
Rating: F3
Path length: 10.3 mi
Path width: 33 yd
Deaths: 6 direct, 0 indirect
Injuries: 30 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $2.5 million
Coordinates: 37.030, -84.400

Tornado, Montgomery

When: April 3, 7:05 PM CST
Where: Montgomery County
Rating: F3
Path length: 4.9 mi
Path width: 33 yd
Injuries: 2 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $250,000
Coordinates: 37.980, -83.880

Tornado, Laurel

When: April 3, 7:10 PM CST
Where: Laurel County
Rating: F3
Path length: 10.7 mi
Path width: 33 yd
Property damage: $2.5 million
Coordinates: 37.150, -84.280

Thunderstorm Wind, Mason

When: April 3, 7:10 PM CST
Where: Mason County
Coordinates: 38.620, -83.800

Tornado, Scott

When: April 3, 7:15 PM CST
Where: Scott County
Rating: F2
Path length: 10 mi
Path width: 33 yd
Injuries: 20 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $2.5 million
Coordinates: 38.230, -84.650

Tornado, McCreary

When: April 3, 7:20 PM CST
Where: McCreary County
Rating: F2
Path length: 19.5 mi
Path width: 33 yd
Injuries: 11 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $25,000
Coordinates: 36.600, -84.770

Tornado, Rockcastle

When: April 3, 7:20 PM CST
Where: Rockcastle County
Rating: F3
Path length: 1.3 mi
Path width: 33 yd
Deaths: 1 direct, 0 indirect
Injuries: 10 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $2.5 million
Coordinates: 37.280, -84.180

Tornado, Butler

When: April 3, 7:25 PM CST
Where: Butler County
Rating: F1
Path width: 33 yd
Property damage: $250,000
Coordinates: 38.650, -83.820

Tornado, Wayne

When: April 3, 7:50 PM CST
Where: Wayne County
Rating: F3
Path length: 8.8 mi
Path width: 33 yd
Deaths: 2 direct, 0 indirect
Injuries: 40 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $2.5 million
Coordinates: 36.780, -84.700

Tornado, Wayne

When: April 3, 7:50 PM CST
Where: Wayne County
Rating: F4
Path length: 3.8 mi
Path width: 33 yd
Coordinates: 36.620, -84.950

Tornado, Laurel

When: April 3, 7:55 PM CST
Where: Laurel County
Rating: F2
Path length: 17.5 mi
Path width: 33 yd
Injuries: 22 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $2.5 million
Coordinates: 36.970, -84.120

Tornado, Pulaski

When: April 3, 8:00 PM CST
Where: Pulaski County
Rating: F3
Path length: 5.1 mi
Path width: 33 yd
Injuries: 5 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $2.5 million
Coordinates: 36.880, -84.600

Tornado, Clay

When: April 3, 8:15 PM CST
Where: Clay County
Rating: F2
Path length: 2.3 mi
Path width: 33 yd
Property damage: $2.5 million
Coordinates: 37.180, -83.950

Tornado, Wayne

When: April 3, 9:00 PM CST
Where: Wayne County
Rating: F4
Path length: 3.6 mi
Path width: 33 yd
Coordinates: 36.630, -84.780

Tornado, McCreary

When: April 3, 9:15 PM CST
Where: McCreary County
Rating: F4
Path length: 12.5 mi
Path width: 33 yd
Coordinates: 36.670, -84.730

Thunderstorm Wind, Monroe

When: April 3, 9:25 PM CST
Where: Monroe County
Coordinates: 36.750, -85.770

Tornado, McCreary

When: April 3, 9:30 PM CST
Where: McCreary County
Rating: F2
Path length: 8 mi
Path width: 33 yd
Coordinates: 36.800, -84.430

Tornado, Whitley

When: April 3, 9:40 PM CST
Where: Whitley County
Rating: F2
Path width: 33 yd
Coordinates: 36.850, -84.300

Tornado, Russell

When: April 3, 10:30 PM CST
Where: Russell County
Rating: F3
Path length: 28.8 mi
Path width: 33 yd
Coordinates: 37.020, -84.870

The people who died

As the offices recorded each death: direct deaths were caused by the weather itself, indirect ones by something it set in motion.

Event	Date	Kind
Tornado, Simpson	1974-04-03	Direct
Tornado, Nelson	1974-04-03	Direct
Tornado, Boyle	1974-04-03	Direct
Tornado, Rockcastle	1974-04-03	Direct

What these are

Hail: Hail three-quarters of an inch or larger, or smaller hail that caused damage, filed with the largest stone measured.
Thunderstorm Wind: Winds from a thunderstorm of 50 knots (58 mph) or more, or lower winds that caused damage or casualties. Measured gusts are marked MG, estimated EG.
Tornado: A violently rotating column of air in contact with the ground and extending from a thunderstorm, filed with its path, width and Fujita or Enhanced Fujita rating from the damage survey.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Kentucky in 1974 Every state in 1974 This day in weather history The tornado archive for Kentucky, 1974

Sources

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 10032276, 10032277, 10032278, 10032279, 10032280, 10032281, 10032282, 10032283, 10032284, 10032285, 10032286, 10032287, 10032288, 10032289, 10032290, 10032291, 10032292, 10032293, 10032294, 10032295, 10032296, 10032297, 10032298, 10032299, 10032300, 10032301, 10032302, 10032303, 10032304, 10032305, 10032306, 10032307, 10032308, 10032309, 10032310, 10032311, 10032312, 10032313, 10032314, 10032315, and more.