Hail history for Powell County, KY

Powell County has 53 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 33 of them 1″ or larger and 2 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 2.0″ (hen egg) on May 19, 2022.

Records 1950–present Data through April 2026 Peak month May

Core sample · every recorded event, 1955–2026

Mark size = measured hail diameter; slivers are events with no recorded size. Amber ≥2″, red ≥2.75″ (baseball class). Denser recent decades partly reflect better reporting, not only more storms.

Recorded events 53 since 1955

1″ or larger 33 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 2 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 2.0″ hen egg · May 19, 2022

Read the record honestly: Storm Events contains what was reported to the National Weather Service. Sparse or rural counties under-report, and coverage improved sharply after the mid-1990s — a quiet-looking stretch is not proof nothing fell.

When it hails in Powell County

Recorded events by month, 1950–present. The amber bar marks Powell County's peak: May.

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 53 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
May 16, 2023	1.0″	Quarter
May 16, 2023	1.75″	Golf ball
May 19, 2022	2.0″	Hen egg
April 8, 2020	0.75″	Penny
May 27, 2017	1.75″	Golf ball
May 27, 2017	1.0″	Quarter
May 27, 2017	0.88″	Nickel
February 24, 2017	0.88″	Nickel

Looking for a specific storm? Use the did-it-hail date lookup for Powell County.

From the storm reports

Narratives as filed with the NOAA Storm Events Database (public records; lightly trimmed for length).

May 16, 2023 · 1.75″ (golf ball)

Picture on social media showed hail up to golf ball-sized (1.75 inch) near Vaughns Mill.

May 19, 2022 · 2.0″ (hen egg)

A picture on social media showed approximately golf ball to egg-sized (1.75 to 2.00 inch) hail along Hall Hill Rd.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
1	0	0	0	1	29	18	4

The climb across decades is largely a reporting story: spotter networks, radar, and digital filing pulled far more storms into the record after the 1990s.

Questions about hail in Powell County

Has it ever hailed in Powell County?

Yes — 53 hail events have been recorded for Powell County, KY in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1955, including 33 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Powell County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Powell County, KY is May 16, 2023, with 1.0″ (quarter) hail. The database is currently updated through April 2026, so a storm from the last few weeks may not appear yet. To check a specific day, use the did-it-hail date lookup.

What is the largest hail ever recorded in Powell County?

2.0″ (hen egg), recorded on May 19, 2022. Hail that size meets or exceeds the National Weather Service severe threshold. See how big that really is on the actual-size hail chart.

Does a recorded hail event mean my roof was damaged?

No. This page reports storm records, not damage. Hail size and damage vary block by block within a county, and only an inspection can establish what happened to a specific roof. If you suspect damage, talk to your insurer or a licensed roofer — they can pull the same NOAA records for your claim.

More Kentucky hail history

All 120 Kentucky counties, ranked by recorded hail →

Source: NOAA/NCEI Storm Events Database, public domain, updated monthly by NCEI — this site's copy runs through April 2026. HailHistory reports records; it does not give insurance advice or assess damage.