HOPKINSVILLE, KY (CHRISTIAN COUNTY NOW) – Storm and tornado activity is expected to spike in the next couple of months as warm air moves in ahead of the first day of spring on March 20. According to the National Weather Service in Paducah, 46% of the tornados that come through the region occur during spring months.
Last spring, Chrisitan County experienced nine Tornado Warnings between March, April and May, with one EF-2 tornado touching down in the southern portion of the county in May of 2025. NWS Paducah covers multiple counties in Western Kentucky, Southern Illinois, Southeast Missouri and Southwest Indiana. Combined, counties in the region had 54 tornadoes touch down in spring of last year, with a record breaking 557 miles of tornado tracks.
Data from NWS shows how many tornadoes have occurred in the region between 1995 and 2025 leading up to and directly following spring.
- March: 97 tornadoes
- April: 210 tornadoes
- May: 192 tornadoes
- June: 71 tornadoes
Tornado shelter in Christian County, severe weather preparedness
Last storm season, the Crofton Tornado Safe Room sheltered hundreds of residents as severe weather threats came through Christian County and surrounding areas. Located at 13511 North Old Madisonville Road, the shelter is locally run in conjunction with the Christian County Weather Spotters Network.
The National Weather Service distinguishes the difference between a Watch and a Warning when severe weather alerts are announced.
- Watch: Atmospheric conditions favorable for severe weather, typically in effect for several hours covering a large area. Residents should stay alert and be prepared to take shelter.
- Warning: Severe weather is occurring or is imminent, typically only in effect between 30-45 minutes. A smaller area is included, and residents should take action and find shelter immediately.
When taking shelter during a tornado, NWS says the worst options are sheltering in a mobile home, in a vehicle, and underneath an overpass. The best options include an interior room of a “well-constructed” home or building, a basement, or a tornado shelter/safe room.
In the event of possible severe weather, Christian County Now will provide local updates. Enable push alerts on the Christian County Now app for up to the minute information and listen to local radio stations for wall-to-wall coverage when a local Warning is issued.
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