Smiths Grove, KY (ZIP 42171) has experienced 57 recorded natural disaster events based on federal and state agency records. These include 27 hailstorms, 18 tornadoes, and 7 severe wind events. Total documented property damage amounts to $7.7M. These events have resulted in 4 recorded deaths and 21 injuries.
The dominant hazard type for Smiths Grove is hailstorms, with 27 recorded events making up 47% of the area's disaster history. The most recent recorded hailstorm occurred on May 16, 2025.
There have been 18 recorded tornadoes in this area, representing 32% of all disaster events. Of these, 2 (11%) were rated at severity level 4 or 5 — the most intense on the normalized scale. The highest recorded severity for tornado-related events here is 4/5 (severe). Tornado-related events have caused a combined $6.9M in documented property damage. 1 fatality has been attributed to tornadoes in this area. The most recent recorded tornado occurred on Jan 1, 2022.
Smiths Grove has experienced 7 severe wind events on record. Wind-related events have caused a combined $607K in documented property damage. The most recent recorded severe wind event occurred on Jun 25, 2023.
Smiths Grove has experienced 3 floods on record. Of these, 2 (67%) were rated at severity level 4 or 5 — the most intense on the normalized scale. The highest recorded severity for flood-related events here is 5/5 (extreme). Flood-related events have caused a combined $115K in documented property damage. 2 fatalities have been attributed to floods in this area. The most recent recorded flood occurred on Dec 2, 2019.
Smiths Grove has experienced 1 blizzard on record. 1 fatality has been attributed to blizzards in this area. The most recent recorded blizzard occurred on Jan 7, 2010.
Smiths Grove has experienced 1 wildfire on record. The most recent recorded wildfire occurred on Jan 21, 2021.
The most significant disaster event on record for Smiths Grove was EF3 Tornado on Mar 31, 1979, which caused $2.5M in property damage and was linked to 1 fatality. Another major event was EF3 Tornado (Apr 3, 1974), causing $2.5M in damages. EF1 Tornado on Jan 10, 2008 also caused significant damage ($600K).
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Based on federal and state records, ZIP code 42171 has experienced 57 natural disaster events. The hazard types affecting this area include hailstorms (27 events), tornadoes (18 events), severe wind events (7 events), floods (3 events), blizzard (1 event), and wildfire (1 event). The primary hazard is hailstorms, which account for 47% of all recorded events.
Hailstorms are the most frequently recorded hazard in Smiths Grove, KY, with 27 events documented.
Yes, Smiths Grove (ZIP 42171) has 3 recorded flood events. These floods have caused $115K in total property damage. The most recent flood on record occurred on Dec 2, 2019.
Smiths Grove has 18 recorded tornado events in the historical record. The strongest tornado recorded reached severity level 4/5 on the normalized scale. Total property damage from tornadoes in this area is $6.9M. The most recent tornado was recorded on Jan 1, 2022.
The most damaging natural disaster on record for ZIP code 42171 was EF3 Tornado, which occurred on Mar 31, 1979. This event caused $2.5M in documented property damage. It resulted in 1 reported fatality. It was rated at severity level 4/5.
Natural disasters have caused a documented total of $7.7M in property damage in the Smiths Grove, KY area (ZIP 42171). This figure is based on historical records from FEMA, NOAA Storm Events Database, and USGS, and covers events from the 1950s through the present. Actual damages may be higher, as not all events have complete damage assessments.
Data sourced from FEMA (disaster declarations, NFIP flood claims), NOAA Storm Events Database, USGS Earthquake Hazards Program, and NIFC wildfire records. Historical coverage varies by source, with most records beginning in the 1950s–1970s. Full methodology →