Florence cleanup continues after June 18 storms; NWS confirms EF1 tornado

After severe storms and strong winds moved through the area overnight on June 18, 2026, the City of Florence reported widespread power outages, downed trees and power lines, damaged utility infrastructure, and property damage. The latest recovery picture also includes a National Weather Service (NWS) confirmation that an EF1 tornado touched down near Florence.

What Florence officials reported after the June 18 storms

In a storm-damage update dated June 18, the City of Florence said several neighborhoods and businesses remained without power. Utility poles were broken along Industrial Road, and the Boone County Public Safety Communications Center and Boone Center also experienced power and telephone outages later in the event.

The city also cited storm-related damage to businesses, including damage to portions of signage and roofing at Big Red’s Appliances. It said sections of the outdoor lumber area at Menards were displaced by winds, with debris coming to rest near Dave & Buster’s, and that Rally’s sustained damage to its sign.

Florence officials said trees and power lines were down across numerous streets, including Dream Street, Lee Drive, Preakness Drive, Circle Drive, Locust Street, Melinda Lane, and St. Jude Drive. They also said multiple traffic signals were knocked out of service, while emergency crews worked through the night responding to calls for service and resetting numerous fire alarms.

Water utility response included a relief-valve discharge

City officials said the Florence water tower temporarily lost power, causing water to discharge through a relief valve “as designed.” LINK nky/WCPO reported the city characterized the event as an overflow event and said the discharge was expected.

The reporting also said the city was still dealing with power problems for the tower at the time and that it did not expect impacts to customers’ water service or supply.

NWS confirms an EF1 tornado near Florence (damage survey published June 20)

On June 20, 2026, the NWS published a damage survey confirming an EF1 tornado that started in Boone County and ended in Kenton County.

According to the NWS survey, the tornado’s estimated peak wind was 100 mph, with a path length of 6.22 miles and a maximum path width of 400 yards. The survey lists 0 fatalities and 0 injuries.

The NWS said the first evidence was found on Landings Way, and it traced damage through the Oakbrook area—including near Interstates 71/75 and the intersection of US-42 and Dream Street—before ending about 1 SE Elsmere.

Important context: The confirmed tornado helps explain why damage patterns may have been concentrated along parts of the surveyed track, but severe storms can also cause widespread damage outside a tornado path.

Reader-impacting disruptions during early recovery

LINK nky/WCPO reported that roads were closed and that many areas remained without power during the Thursday-morning recovery period. It also described continued communications challenges tied to the broken poles along Industrial Road, including that the county’s non-emergency line was temporarily down and 911 calls were being routed to Kenton County’s 911 dispatch center—while callers were still being connected with emergency services.

The same reporting noted that the City of Florence said it was aware of traffic signals knocked out of service, and it repeated resident safety guidance: treat non-functioning signal intersections as four-way stops, avoid downed lines and debris, and stay clear of areas where crews and utility workers are operating.

What to watch next

In the City’s June 18 update, officials said additional damage assessments were continuing and that they anticipated more reports as daylight allowed for a more comprehensive evaluation. For day-to-day planning—commutes, errands, and business operations—keep checking the City’s storm-recovery update page for the latest guidance and changes affecting specific streets or services.

Sources

• City of Florence — Overnight Storm Damage (storm recovery update)
• National Weather Service (ILN) — June 18, 2026 Tornado near Florence, KY (Damage Survey)
• LINK nky (WCPO) — Power outages and road closures after Florence-area storms