United StatesKentuckyNWS, FEMA, USGSArchive to October 13, 2026
Kentucky: warnings and declarations in 2026
The National Weather Service issued 1,106 warnings for Kentucky in 2026 through September, 13% above the average of 983 for those months in 2008-2025. The most frequent was the severe thunderstorm warning (617). FEMA has made 3 declarations for Kentucky this year.
Latest notices in Kentucky
NWS CharlestonWatchOctober 11, 2026
Flood Watch: Greenup, Carter, Boyd and 27 more, KY and OH
Expired 9:00 p.m. EDT, October 11, 2026
NWS WilmingtonWarningOctober 11, 2026
Flash Flood Warning: Bracken and Mason, KY
Expired 1:30 p.m. EDT, October 11, 2026
NWS JacksonWarningOctober 11, 2026
Flash Flood Warning: Bath and Fleming, KY
Expired 1:00 p.m. EDT, October 11, 2026
NWS JacksonWarningSeptember 23, 2026
Flash Flood Warning: Harlan, KY
Expired 1:00 a.m. EDT, September 24, 2026
NWS JacksonWarningSeptember 23, 2026
Flash Flood Warning: Bell, Harlan and Leslie, KY
Expired 10:15 p.m. EDT, September 23, 2026
NWS JacksonWarningSeptember 23, 2026
Flash Flood Warning: Clay and Knox, KY
Expired 9:45 p.m. EDT, September 23, 2026
NWS JacksonWarningSeptember 23, 2026
Flash Flood Warning: Martin, KY
Expired 9:45 p.m. EDT, September 23, 2026
NWS JacksonWarningSeptember 23, 2026
Flash Flood Warning: Bell, Clay and Knox, KY
Expired 9:30 p.m. EDT, September 23, 2026
Which warnings, watches and advisories does Kentucky get?
| Product | Yearly average 2008-2025 | 2025 | 2026 through September | Average, same months |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Severe Thunderstorm Warning | 608 | 823 | 617 | 571 |
| Flood Advisory | 467 | 607 | 633 | 438 |
| Flood Warning | 170 | 315 | 69 | 153 |
| Flash Flood Warning | 141 | 226 | 249 | 137 |
| Tornado Warning | 97 | 162 | 127 | 85 |
| Winter Weather Advisory | 47 | 60 | 29 | 36 |
| Dense Fog Advisory | 35 | 47 | 26 | 25 |
| Wind Advisory | 31 | 33 | 18 | 20 |
| Severe Thunderstorm Watch | 28 | 24 | 41 | 27 |
| Flash Flood Watch | 27 | 0 | 0 | 25 |
| Frost Advisory | 25 | 21 | 25 | 15 |
| Freeze Warning | 21 | 17 | 17 | 13 |
| Flood Watch | 20 | 43 | 59 | 18 |
| Heat Advisory | 20 | 27 | 36 | 20 |
| Tornado Watch | 18 | 32 | 12 | 16 |
| Winter Storm Warning | 14 | 20 | 6 | 11 |
| Lake Wind Advisory | 12 | 6 | 6 | 11 |
| Freeze Watch | 10 | 13 | 8 | 6 |
| Winter Storm Watch | 9 | 17 | 5 | 8 |
| Red Flag Warning | 8 | 6 | 1 | 5 |
| Cold Weather Advisory | 6 | 25 | 26 | 5 |
| Extreme Heat Warning | 4 | 6 | 11 | 4 |
| Fire Weather Watch | 3 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| High Wind Warning | 3 | 2 | 2 | 3 |
| Freezing Rain Advisory | 3 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Extreme Heat Watch | 2 | 3 | 2 | 2 |
| Ice Storm Warning | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Freezing Fog Advisory | 1 | 4 | 0 | 1 |
| Extreme Cold Warning | 1 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| Extreme Cold Watch | 1 | 2 | 3 | 0 |
| Snow Squall Warning (since 2018) | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 13, 2026.
How many warnings does Kentucky get each year?
Every NWS warning (VTEC significance W) that covered part of Kentucky. 2026 is drawn as an outline: the year is not over.
The numbers
| Year | Count |
|---|---|
| 2026 (through September) | 1,108 |
| 2025 | 1,578 |
| 2024 | 856 |
| 2023 | 1,126 |
| 2022 | 1,094 |
| 2021 | 798 |
| 2020 | 805 |
| 2019 | 911 |
| 2018 | 1,123 |
| 2017 | 822 |
| 2016 | 1,003 |
| 2015 | 1,267 |
| 2014 | 869 |
| 2013 | 823 |
| 2012 | 1,331 |
| 2011 | 1,703 |
| 2010 | 1,072 |
| 2009 | 1,173 |
| 2008 | 858 |
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 13, 2026.
When in the year?
Sum of 2008-2025; the busiest month is labelled.
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 13, 2026.
FEMA declarations for Kentucky in 2026
FEMAMajor disasterSeptember 1, 2026
DR-4937-KY: Severe Storm, severe storms, straight-line winds, flooding, landslides, and mudslides
20 designated areas
FEMAMajor disasterMay 29, 2026
DR-4913-KY: Winter Storm, severe winter storm
21 designated areas
FEMAEmergencyJanuary 24, 2026
EM-3633-KY: Winter Storm, severe winter storm
120 designated areas
Source: FEMA, OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries. Data as of October 11, 2026.
Questions about Kentucky's warnings
How many weather warnings does Kentucky get a year?
An average of 1,067 NWS warnings a year in 2008-2025, and 1,578 in 2025.
What is the most common warning in Kentucky?
The severe thunderstorm warning: 608 a year on average in 2008-2025.
Where do the live warnings come from?
From the National Weather Service's alert feed (api.weather.gov), which AreaZine reads every few minutes. For a warning in force now, the NWS office page and NOAA Weather Radio are the first source; phones receive only the most dangerous warnings as Wireless Emergency Alerts.