Brief EF-1 tornado hits Hart County, Kentucky
A brief EF-1 tornado swept through Hart County, Kentucky on February 6, 2025, blowing off roofs of buildings and sending debris over 180 m (590 feet) away. The tornado downed multiple trees and powerlines, causing power outages and forcing school closures in the area.
Fence and downspout flung by tornado in Kentucky on February 6, 2025. Image credit: John Gordon
The National Weather Service (NWS) confirmed that a brief EF-1 tornado touched down in Hart County at 05:07 local time (LT) on Thursday, causing significant damage.
The tornado formed in the northeast part of the county, reaching peak wind speeds of 153 km/h (95 mph). According to the NWS, it had a path length of 0.8 km (0.5 miles). A storm damage survey is planned for Hart, Jackson, Owsley, and Rockcastle counties.
Reports indicated that a barn roof was blown off on Red Hill Road in Rockcastle County, and trees were downed between Sextons Creek and Island City in Owsley County.
John Gordon from the NWS reported that the tornado hurled a downspout wrapped around a fence approximately 183 m (600 feet) away. Images he shared depict downed trees and widespread debris.
Power outages were reported due to the storm, forcing Lexington Catholic High School to cancel classes on Thursday.
According to the NWS, multiple rounds of intense storms with heavy rainfall swept through the state from Wednesday night into Thursday. The strongest storms were expected to impact areas south of the Western Kentucky and Bluegrass Parkways.
“Severe weather continues to move through southern Kentucky this morning, with thunderstorms and the possibility of tornadoes,” Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear said Thursday.
I am an Assistant Editor and Severe Weather & Science Journalist at The Watchers, specializing in real-time severe weather coverage, geophysical event reporting, and research-driven scientific analysis. You can reach me at rishav(at)watchers(.)news.
Commenting rules and guidelines
We value the thoughts and opinions of our readers and welcome healthy discussions on our website. In order to maintain a respectful and positive community, we ask that all commenters follow these rules.