Video shows student knocked to the ground during storms. How common are tornadoes in KY?

Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal
·3 min read

Three preliminary EF-1 tornadoes touched down in various parts of Kentucky on Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service of Louisville.

One of the three rolled through the northern part of Jessamine County, just south of Lexington, home to the University of Kentucky. As a result, students were pretty shaken up, with some left with bumps and bruises.

Kentucky storm updates: Greenberg, Beshear to give damage updates, NWS conducting surveys Wednesday

A post from user @KyKernel on X, formerly Twitter, shared a video of a student getting knocked over by extreme winds on campus. "A University of Kentucky student is knocked down by gusting wind and rain behind Patterson Office Tower in the first round of storms that swept through Central Kentucky this morning," according to the caption.

A viewer-submitted photo of a young women with scrapes and bruises was later shared on X by Lex 18 News. The post claimed she was the person in the video and confirmed her safety. "Gets thrown to the ground by a tornado otw to class😭😭😭," said the caption.

When is tornado season in Kentucky?

According to the NWS, severe weather season in Kentucky typically falls in April and May across Kentucky. However, severe weather, such as tornadoes, isn't limited to these months.

Repair work begins at several homes in the Utica area after the wind damage from Tuesday's tornado that hit parts of Southern Indiana and the Louisville metro area. Many homes were damaged. April 3, 2024
Repair work begins at several homes in the Utica area after the wind damage from Tuesday's tornado that hit parts of Southern Indiana and the Louisville metro area. Many homes were damaged. April 3, 2024

How long do tornadoes last?

A tornado's time on the ground fluctuates and can range from a minute to several hours. Typically, ground time only lasts about five to ten minutes and movement ranges from stationary to 60+ miles per hour, according to the NWS.

What state has the most tornadoes?

According to World Population Review, Mississippi had the greatest number of tornadoes in 2022, with 184 occurring. States following closely include Texas, with 160, and Alabama, with 117. Oklahoma leads the nation in severe storms, experiencing many dangerous tornadoes between 1950 and 2016.

Does Louisville get tornadoes?

Yes. While there was no confirmed tornado in Louisville from Tuesday's storm, they happen in the area. According to the NWS, some of the more significant tornadoes in the Louisville area include:

  • 1890: F-4 tornado on March 27, 1890

  • 1917: F-4 tornado on March 23, 1917

  • 1974: F-5 tornado on April 3, 1974

  • 1925: F-4 tornado on March 18, 1925

  • 1933: F-4 tornado on May 9, 1993

  • 1854: At least 25 were killed in a tornado on Aug. 27, 1854

  • 1890: F-4 tornado on March 27, 1890

  • 2012: EF-4 tornado on March 2, 2012

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Storm updates: Greenberg, Beshear to give damage updates, NWS conducting surveys Wednesday

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Confirmed Kentucky Tornado 2024: How long do tornadoes last? What state has most tornadoes?