riverboat in kentucky

THE 10 BEST Kentucky Boat Rides & Cruises

Boat rides & cruises in kentucky.

• Kayaking & Canoeing
• Boat Rentals
• Stand-Up Paddleboarding
• Fishing Charters & Tours
• River Rafting & Tubing
• Scuba & Snorkeling
• Waterskiing & Jetskiing
• Water Sports
• Speed Boats Tours
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 2.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Butchertown
• East Louisville
• Central Business District
• Good for Big Groups
• Good for Kids
• Good for Couples
• Budget-friendly
• Good for Adrenaline Seekers
• Adventurous
• Honeymoon spot
• Good for a Rainy Day
• Hidden Gems
• Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.

1. SUP Kentucky

2. Boone Creek Outdoors

3. Sheltowee Trace Adventure Resort - Day Tours

4. Kentucky River Tours

5. Gorge Underground

6. Canoe Kentucky

7. Endless Summer Paddle Company

8. Barkley Watersports

9. Belle of Louisville Riverboats

10. BB Riverboats

11. Blue Moon Canoe and Kayak

12. Mammoth Cave Canoe & Kayak

13. Pennyroyal Scuba Blue Springs Resort

14. SS Tiki Tours

15. Buck Creek Outfitters

16. Mutt E. Waters River Rentals

17. Green River Canoeing

18. Alligator II Marina

19. State Dock Marina

20. Just Kik-N-It Ranch Outfitters

21. Queen City Riverboats

22. Kentucky Lake Adventures

23. Caveland Kayak and Canoe

24. Hatfield McCoy River Trails

25. Kentucky Lake Outdoors

26. Pirates of the Cumberland Guide Service

27. Louisville Dive Center

28. Longhunter Outfitters

29. Dale Hollow State Park Marina

30. Big Buffalo Crossing Canoe & Kayak - Day Adventures

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Ark Encounter & Riverboat Cruise

Join us for a getaway that includes a Cincinnati riverboat cruise and the Ark Encounter!

• Detailed Overview
• Pick-up Points
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Overnight near Covington, KY

• Belle of Cincinnati Captain's Dinner Cruise:

      Take in the skyline, watch the river go by, and enjoy a fantastic meal aboard one of our Captain's Dinner cruises. 

located in Williamstown, KY - "The Ark Encounter is a one-of-a-kind historically themed attraction. In an entertaining, educational, and immersive way, it presents a number of historical events centered on a full-size, all-wood Ark, which should become the largest timber-frame structure in the USA. Additional future phases for the attraction include a Walled City, the Tower of Babel, a first-century Middle Eastern village, a journey in history from Abraham to the parting of the Red Sea, a walk-through aviary, an expanded large petting zoo, and so on ."

Dinner at Der Dutchman , Bellville, OH - Enjoy made-from-scratch flavors as you indulge in a variety of traditional comfort foods and delectable baked goods. From our perfectly-prepared meats to warm and filling side dishes, every bite offers something to savor.

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TravelAwaits

Our mission is to serve the 50+ traveler who's ready to cross a few items off their bucket list.

7 Reasons A Stay On The World’s Largest Steamboat Is My Favorite U.S. Cruise

• Cruises and Sailing
• River Cruises
• Types of Travel

I have been on several cruises and travel adventures around the world, but recently, I’ve felt the need to focus on discovering great destinations closer to home. The U.S. is filled with countless experiences that travelers can unlock, and a river cruise offers the chance to see so many things in an efficient, hassle-free, and fun way.

Our summer cruise on the Ohio River took us from Pittsburgh to Louisville, and the itinerary included stops in Marietta, Ohio; Huntington, West Virginia; Augusta, Kentucky; Cincinnati, Ohio; and Madison, Indiana, before reaching Louisville.

I had been on voyages on the Mighty Mississippi River and even a couple in the Pacific Northwest on the Columbia and Snake rivers that traverse through Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. These itineraries are fairly well known, but I was fascinated to see what an Ohio River cruise was all about. I was happy to accept an invite from American Queen Voyages to review this special itinerary.

As it turns out, it’s filled with memorable experiences and a range of fun ways to spend your days. The best part about our trip, though, was how we got there. American Queen owns a special charm and an incredible river cruise program that makes it a favorite way to cruise within the U.S. Here’s why.

1. An Itinerary With Small Towns And Big Cities

Pittsburg, pennsylvania.

American Queen Voyages offers a pre-cruise hotel stay in Pittsburgh, and it was nice to explore the City of Bridges for a day. We had lunch at the famous Primanti Brothers, diving into our hearty sandwiches — complete with fries stuffed onto the pastrami between slices of Italian bread. And we washed it down with a couple of Iron City beers.

The embarkation pier for the riverboat sits at the doorstep of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ football stadium, making for a scenic sail away from the confluence of the three rivers (Ohio, Allegheny, and Monongahela).

Cincinnati, Ohio

The cruise also features a stop in Cincinnati and wraps up in Louisville, so travelers have opportunities to explore these interesting big cities and all they have to offer. We went for a bike ride on the riverfront, explored the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame and Museum, and had lunch and craft beers at Moerlein Lager House.

Louisville, Kentucky

In Louisville, cruisers can explore city highlights like the famed Churchill Downs (Kentucky Derby track) or the Louisville Slugger Museum and Factory before catching flights back home.

These big cities are nice, but it’s the small towns that really make this trip shine. Residents gather along the banks of the river to cheer our arrival or give us a friendly sendoff each day. Each riverside destination, no matter how small, loves to show off its slice of American history and regional attractions, such as quirky museums, pretty churches, and, of course, its local shops and eateries.

Marietta, Ohio

In Marietta, Ohio, attractions included Mound Cemetery, one of the oldest in the original Northwest Territory, the Ohio River Museum, and the Childen’s Toy & Doll Museum.

Huntington, West Virginia

When I went ashore in Huntington, West Virginia, the hop-on, hop-off bus loop took us to the Touma Medical Museum, a delightful little open-air railroad museum (a yard filled with colorful old rail cars), Ritter Park Rose Garden, and the Marshall University Campus, which features a wonderful grounds filled with statues, sculptures, trees, and flowers.

Augusta, Kentucky

In Augusta, Kentucky, AQV passengers were able to walk just a few hundred steps from our spot on the river to explore the Rosemary Clooney Museum. This is the former home of actress, singer, and aunt to superstar George Clooney. Highlights of this charming town also include Bates Garden, the 1811 Jail, and Baker-Bird Winery.

Madison, Indiana

There was another railroad museum to see in Madison, Indiana, and the town also lists the Schroeder Saddletree Factory, the Broadway Fountain, and Lanier Mansion as top attractions for visitors to check out.

2. Enriching Entertainment

While each port stop features a variety of things for cruisers to explore, this fancy riverboat offers a daily program with a mix of musical performances, trivia competitions, movies, bingo, and variety shows. 

Music, trivia, and enrichment talks are held in American Queen’s majestic Grand Saloon theater space. During our cruise, we saw Phil Westbrook several times, as the singer and piano man performed a tribute to Frank Sinatra as well as entertained passengers at the intimate Captain’s Bar just outside the main J.M. White Dining Room.

We also dropped by the theater for shows by guitarist Logan Reeves and a song and dance variety production on TV theme songs from the American Queen Ensemble and the Steamboat Syncopators house band. The shows draw on plenty of nostalgia but definitely favor an era more familiar to cruisers 70 and older. However, the overall mood is quite fun.

A hip vibe can be found nightly at the Engine Room Bar, where the ship’s musicians get the crowd dancing with a great mix of blues and rock tunes.

3. Regionally Inspired Cuisine

The American Queen chefs kept us well-fed. Meals are served in the main dining room and in the casual eatery called the Front Porch, which offers wonderful views as you cruise on the river. When the weather is nice, it’s worth having at least one dinner outside there to enjoy the sunset and sailing.

The menu includes items like chicken fried steak, frog legs, and a variety of steak and fish preparations. The cuisine is more hearty than healthy, but you can find some fresh fruits and salads in the mix at the lunch buffets. We were always tempted by the mouth-watering selection of homemade pies and slices of chocolate cake set out each day at lunch. There always is a delicious soup, gumbo, or chili available, too.

If you need a snack, you can swing by the Front Porch for a bag of fresh popcorn, a couple of cookies, or a soft-serve ice cream cone or dish.

4. Set Your Own Pace

As a person who loves his daily workouts, I’m happy that a river cruise on American Queen makes it easy. Not only is there a well-equipped gym, but the ship carries a fleet of bikes. Colleen and I started several days with a run along the riverside trails through small towns or by grabbing a couple of bikes to go exploring independently.

In general, river cruising allows travelers the chance to explore on their own in a hassle-free way. It’s so easy to stroll onto and off of the ship at your leisure, and the towns and cities are mere steps away. You can go set your own schedule for the day if you’re not interested in rigorously following the ship excursion program.

Pro Tip: Ask crew members for their insight on nice places to eat or go shopping — or for their favorite places to get a coffee or craft brew. We received great insight from lead butler Adam, who is a coffee connoisseur and loves to find and frequent local cafes along all the river towns he visits.

5. Hop-On, Hop-Off Tours

American Queen Voyages provides a wonderful service in its hop-on, hop-off bus routes in each city and on each river itinerary that it operates. Passengers walk off the ship and straight onto waiting buses with clear signage at each stop along the route at the attractions in town.

Cruisers love being able to have peace of mind that they will see a nice mix of highlights in each port without worrying about transportation. You can get off at each spot or pick and choose what you are interested in on the loop.

6. Plenty Of Space Onboard

American Queen itself is an attraction. Built in 2012 and carrying up to 417 passengers, this is the largest steamship ever built. The décor takes you back in time to a golden era of steamship travel. The Grand Saloon resembles a 19th-century opera house with private boxes wrapped around the theater and hanging over the main level and the stage adorned with a large red curtain.

Chandeliers fill the main restaurant, rocking chairs line the railings on the front porch, and gingerbread ornamentation accents the staircases and stateroom patios of the bright white ship. The signature big red paddlewheel churns at the stern of the ship helping to power the voyage along the river.

American Queen features a large Mark Twain Gallery that serves as a reading room (with a small computer area). It’s outfitted with vintage lamps and antique chairs and all kinds of mementos of a bygone time, including river ship models, paintings, books, vases, and other collectibles.

There are two parlors at the very front of the ship ahead of the Main Twain Gallery, and these spots also are carefully decorated and ideal for working on puzzles, reading, or enjoying the river views while relaxing with friends.

7. Scenic Sailing

I found the periods of sailing from town to town one of the most relaxing and satisfying parts of this river cruise. It was fabulous to watch the world floating by, with the pretty evening sunsets, flowing waters, and subtle bends in the river. We would pass under a variety of bridge styles and see trains on adjacent tracks and tugboats pushing coal barges.

Cruisers also enjoyed the process of watching our big riverboat pass through the locks along the way.

Pro Tip: Make sure to head up to the top deck for sail aways each day. Crowds gather along the banks of the river to wave you off and wish you well on the journey. And one of the musicians will come out to play some tunes on the boat’s steam calliope. It’s a fun spectacle!

Related Reading:

• 9 Reasons You’ll Love A Princess Cruise In The Western Caribbean
• 7 Things People Always Forget To Take On A Cruise Plus 8 Things They Should Leave At Home
• I Just Sailed On Royal Caribbean With My Grandchildren — Here Are My 10 Key Tips

John loves to explore the world while prioritizing fitness and active adventures. He specializes in cruise travel, with more than 100 sailings of all types under his belt. His passion is deep exploration and connection. He loves talking sports and craft beer with people in every destination he visits. John has been a writer and travel journalist for more than 20 years, regularly contributing to top travel magazines and websites.

Take A Thanksgiving Day Cruise Aboard BB Riverboats In Kentucky For A Unique Holiday Outing

Andrea Limke

A Cincinnati native who has lived in Kentucky for over 10 years, Andrea's heart belongs both in the Queen City and the Bluegrass State. After earning an education degree and working in that field for a number of years, Andrea began to pursue her passion for writing over 6 years ago. Since then she has written for a number of print and online publications, as well as published a children's book.

More by this Author

Thanksgiving is a holiday that is all about gratitude, togetherness, family, and, of course, delicious food. But the traditional Thanksgiving meal in Kentucky can be a huge hassle to prepare, and if you don’t enjoy the process, you may be looking for a unique outing for the family instead. If you live in Northern Kentucky or nearby, the BB Riverboats cruises in Kentucky offer the perfect holiday outings for you. The company offers Thanksgiving Day Cruises that feature all of your favorite recipes, as well as plenty of scenery and history. So come along with us as we take a riverboat cruise for a unique holiday outing in Kentucky this season.

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The Enchanting Festival Of Trees & Trains Returns To Kentucky This Year

Hop In A Tuk Tuk And Tour Kentucky In The Most Unique Way Possible

Take A Winter Zip Line Tour To Marvel Over Kentucky's Majestic Snow Covered Landscape From Above

This Thanksgiving meal in Kentucky is a treasured tradition for many and everyone has their own take on the holiday. If you’d prefer to leave the work to someone else, consider taking a cruise with BB Riverboats in Kentucky this November for a unique holiday outing.

Hare you ever taken a riverboat cruise in Kentucky? Would you ditch the dishes and make memories aboard this Thanksgiving Day Cruise? Have you embarked upon any other fall cruises on BB Riverboats? Let us know in the comments and be sure to tag any friend or family member who always overcooks the turkey 🙂

For more information on the Thanksgiving Day Cruise, visit the BB Riverboats website.

And for more fun outings this season, check out these 10 perfect fall day trips in Kentucky .

If you’re interested in making a weekend trip to Newport, KY be sure to consider the  Fairfield by Marriott Inn & Suites Newport Cincinnati.

If you’re still in the mood for more Bluegrass State adventures, take a look at this video:

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

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More to Explore

More kentucky adventures.

Where can we find historic landmarks in Kentucky?

• Burke’s Distillery in Loretta is one of the most famous distilleries in the state, although it now goes by the name of Maker’s Mark.
• The Louisville Water Company Pumping Station in Louisville is the oldest ornamental water tower in the world.
• The Dr. Ephraim McDowell House in Danville is where the first successful Ovariotomy was performed in the U.S.

Read on to learn more about some of the many other fascinating historic landmarks in Kentucky.

Where can we go camping in Kentucky?

• Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park in Mammoth Cave is a themed campground with traditional camping sites, an inflatable water park on the lake, and lots of other activities.
• Renfro Valley KOA Holiday in Mt. Vernon is the best kid-friendly campground in the state.
• Nolin Lake State Park in Mammoth Cave features RV, tent, and beach spots right on the lake.

Read on to learn more about the many places to go camping in Kentucky .

  Where can we find small towns in Kentucky?

• Paducah is an art-centered town known for its community events and the popular Paducah Historic Riverfront.
• Berea is a y charming mountain town and where you’ll find the 9,000-acre Berea College Forest.
• Harrodsburg, founded in 1774, is called the “Birthplace of the West” because is the oldest city in the state and the oldest American settlement west of the Allegheny Mountains.

Read on to learn about some of the many other wonderful small towns in Kentucky .

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• Travel Back To The 80s At Arcadium Bar, A Retro-Themed Adult Arcade In Kentucky
• An Arcade & Taco Restaurant Is Opening Soon With Agave & Rye In Kentucky
• Dawkins Line Rail Trail Is A Rails-to-Trails Hike In Kentucky That Leads To An Old Train Tunnel
• All Aboard The Haunted Halloween Express For A Spooky Nighttime Train Ride In Kentucky
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Watch CBS News

Tornadoes kill at least 3 in Ohio as storms leave trail of destruction in Indiana, Kentucky, Arkansas

Updated on: March 15, 2024 / 9:51 PM EDT / CBS/AP

A tornado killed at least three people in western Ohio on Thursday night, authorities said, part of a storm system that also unleashed apparent twisters in parts of Indiana ,  Kentucky  and Arkansas  that injured dozens and left tens of thousands of homes and businesses without power.

Indian Lake, Ohio, hit by tornado

The Indian Lake area in Ohio's Logan County, northwest of Columbus, appeared to be the worst hit. At least three people were confirmed dead, according to the Logan County Sheriff's Office. 

Logan County spokesperson Sheri Timmers told CBS News there were multiple injuries, adding that an RV park was among the areas impacted. Multiple buildings in the Indian Lake area were damaged, Timmers said.

Mary Rutan Health Center, located in the Logan County city of Bellefontaine, confirmed to CBS News that as of Friday afternoon it was treating 26 patients injured in the tornadoes.

Search crews went into neighborhoods that had been blocked by gas leaks and fallen trees overnight and made a second pass in areas that were checked in the darkness right after the storm, Sheriff Randy Dodds said.

"It's going to take a long time," he said, adding he wasn't aware of anybody unaccounted for.

The National Weather Service confirmed an EF2 tornado had struck near Orchard Island in Logan County. The Enhanced Fujita scale  ranks tornadoes  from EF0 to EF5, based on estimated wind speeds and damage.

Chief Deputy Joe Kopus of the sheriff's office said there was heavy damage in Lakeview, Midway, Orchard Island and Russells Point.

"It is just devastating. I mean, you see it happen to other people, you finally get to comprehend what this means," Carla Morris, owner of CJ's Lakeside Tavern in Lakeview, told CBS News.

Lakeview resident Robin Holmes told CBS News he somehow survived the storm in his living room.

"We are very lucky, because all around, it just tore everything up," Holmes said. 

Photos  posted  to social media also showed the extensive residential damage in Indian Lake.  

Amber Fagan, president and chief executive of the Indian Lake Area Chamber of Commerce, said the village of Lakeview was "completely demolished," adding that homes, campgrounds and a laundromat were hit hard. "There's places burning," she said. "There's power lines through people's windows."

A shelter was opened for anyone displaced. Many of the homes in the area are used as summer cottages by people who come for fishing and boating.

"This is going to be a long-term recovery for our community," Logan County Commissioner Joe Antram said in a news briefing Friday.

In Ohio's Huron County, emergency management officials posted on Facebook that there was a "confirmed large and extremely dangerous tornado" near Plymouth, some 75 miles northeast of Indian Lake. It damaged homes and toppled trees, officials said, but no deaths or injuries were reported.

Indiana hit hard

At about the same time the tornado hit the Indian Lake area, another one tore through Winchester, Indiana, some 75 miles to the west. 

Winchester Mayor Bob McCoy said some 130 homes were damaged or destroyed in the area. The tornado damaged a Walmart store and a Taco Bell in Winchester, Randolph County Sheriff Art Moystner  told CBS Indianapolis affiliate WTTV . Travel throughout the county was restricted to emergency management workers only, he said.  

A National Weather Service survey team later confirmed  the tornado with a preliminary damage rating of EF3.

"There have been many, many significant injuries, but I don't know the number. I don't know where they are. I don't know what those injuries are," Indiana State Police Superintendent Douglas Carter told reporters just before midnight Thursday. "There's a lot that we don't know yet."

State police said earlier in the night that they were investigating reports of deaths but Carter said at the news conference there were "no known fatalities."

In a social media post early Friday morning, the Randolph County Homeland Security Emergency Management Agency reported that there were at least 38 people injured in the tornado that struck Winchester, 12 of whom required hospitalization. The agency also said there had been no confirmed fatalities.  

State officials called on Indiana Task Force One to help with search efforts in Winchester, a town of 4,700 people nearly 70 miles northeast of Indianapolis, according to a post by the rescue team on social media. The team is one of 28 Department of Homeland Security and Federal Emergency Management Agency-sponsored Urban Search and Rescue teams in the United States.

"I'm shaken; it's overwhelming," McCoy said. "I heard what sounded like a train and then I started hearing sirens."

He and his wife were hunkered in a closet during the twister, which hit at about 8 p.m. "I've never heard that sound before; I don't want to hear it again," McCoy said.

Winchester resident Brooks Burelison said he took shelter with his mother and sister just in time.

"By the time I got home, 20 seconds from me being in the garage, I jumped in the cellar, and then all of a sudden it was over us, and then eight seconds later, it was gone," Burelison told CBS News.  

Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb posted on Facebook Thursday night, "Severe weather has impacted Hoosiers all across the state, and we have emergency response personnel in the impacted areas."

The Indiana Department of Homeland Security posted on Facebook that their staff were on scene in Randolph County, home to Winchester, working with locals, and that the State Emergency Operations Center was activated with an enhanced staffing level to respond to the storm.

A Facebook post on the Winchester Community High School page said all the schools in the district would be closed Friday. Another post said the high school had electricity and was open for emergency use for people who "need somewhere warm and dry."

To the west of Winchester in Delaware County, Indiana, emergency management officials said initial assessments suggested that up to half the structures in the small town of Selma were damaged by a possible tornado.

"We are relieved to report that only minor injuries have been reported thus far, with one individual transported to the hospital for treatment," the Delaware County Emergency Management Agency said in a news release. About 750 people live in Selma.

Earlier, storms damaged homes and trailers in the Ohio River communities of Hanover and Lamb in Indiana.

Jefferson County, Indiana Sheriff Ben Flint said storms destroyed three or four single-family homes and four or five other structures and demolished several uninhabited campers along the river.

"We were fortunate that no one was injured," Flint told The Associated Press in a telephone interview.

Gayle Liter and his wife told CBS affiliate WLKY-TV that their Hanover home, which they had just moved into about three months ago, was destroyed by the tornado. "Total destruction, the inside, everything," Liter said. 

Sgt. Stephen Wheeles of the Indiana State Police said earlier that another suspected tornado struck Jefferson County, damaging several homes and downing trees and power lines.

He posted photos on social media showing one home with its roof torn off and another missing roof shingles as well as an image of a baseball-sized hailstone.

Kentucky, Arkansas also impacted

In Milton, Kentucky, two people were injured when their car was hit by debris from a tornado that damaged as many as 100 homes and businesses, said Trimble County Emergency Management Director Andrew Stark.

"We have a whole bunch of damage," Stark told the Courier Journal of Louisville.

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear issued a statement saying a tornado touched down along the Indiana state border in Gallatin and Trimble counties and there were reports of a couple of minor injuries.

"It does appear that there is some really significant damage, especially to the town of Milton in Trimble County," Beshear said. "We think there are over 100 structures that are potentially damaged."

The state's emergency operations center was activated to coordinate storm response, Beshear said.

In Arkansas, a probable tornado struck the retirement community of Hot Springs Village, about 40 miles southwest of Little Rock, according to National Weather Service meteorologist Erik Green.

Baseball-sized hail also fell and some buildings were destroyed, but there were no reports of fatalities or injuries, Green said.

Large pieces of hail also was reported in parts of the St. Louis area Thursday afternoon.

There were unconfirmed reports of tornadoes in Jefferson County, Missouri, and Monroe County, Illinois, but no immediate reports of damage.

• Storm Damage

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Videos, photos show Midwest tornado outbreak in Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky: See damage

At least two people have died, and extensive damage has been reported after multiple confirmed tornadoes and severe storms ripped through Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky overnight Thursday.

At least one tornado touched down in Ohio in the Indian Lake area and three others in southern Indiana and north-central Kentucky Thursday. In Indiana, officials said two tornadoes touched down outside Madison, Indiana, around 2:30 p.m. — one in Hanover, and a second in neighboring Switzerland County.

In Kentucky, officials confirmed a tornado had touched down in the town of Milton, just south of Madison, Indiana and at least 50 structures, including homes. were damaged.

Police in Logan County, Ohio said two people died in Logan County, Ohio at a trailer park, part of what police called a " mass casualty event " and said there will likely be more fatalities discovered following the storms, the Associated Press reported. Logan County is about 70 miles northwest of Columbus.

Several people were significantly injured in Winchester, Indiana where severe thunderstorms and possible tornadoes occurred Thursday afternoon. Despite reports of three deaths in the eastern Indiana town, state police said they could not confirm any deaths as of Friday just after midnight.

The storm reportedly also destroyed a mobile home park and a Taco Bell and severely damaged other properties in Randolph County, about 85 miles east of Indianapolis. A funnel cloud was reported in southwestern Delaware County at around 8:20 p.m. EDT.

As many as 6,000 customers were without power overnight around Cincinnati, Ohio, according to Duke Energy's outage map , but power has largely been restored.

Tornado outbreak: Tornadoes ravage Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky; at least 2 dead, damage widespread

Tornadoes in Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky captured on video

Videos and pictures posted on social media captured tornadoes in the region on Thursday, including one that appeared to be crossing the Ohio River and traveling from Ohio to Kentucky.

Contributing: Associated Press; IndyStar; Cincinnati Enquirer; Louisville Courier-Journal; Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY.

3 tornadoes confirmed in Kentucky, Indiana. What we know so far

At least three tornadoes touched down in southern Indiana and north-central Kentucky Thursday, leaving dozens of structures damaged or destroyed.

Indiana Emergency Management Agency officials said two tornadoes touched down outside Madison, Indiana, around 2:30 p.m. — one in Hanover, and a second in neighboring Switzerland County.

At least one home and a trailer were damaged. No injuries were reported as of 3 p.m.

Around 2,000 Duke Energy customers in Hanover were without power, according to the company's website .

At least 50 structures damaged in Milton, Kentucky

In Kentucky, Trimble County Emergency Management Director Andrew Stark confirmed a tornado had touched down in the town of Milton, just south of Madison, Indiana. Stark said at least 50 structures, including homes. were damaged.

"We have a whole bunch of damage," he said.

Fallen trees and downed power lines were also reported in the area. According to poweroutage.us , 4,148 people in Trimble County were without power at 3:30 p.m.

The National Weather Service in Louisville said crews will be surveying the damage in the area.

Did the tornados affect you? Submit your letter to the editor here.

Zero fatalities, missing person reports in Kentucky from afternoon storms

Gov. Andy Beshear said a confirmed tornado in Trimble and Gallatin counties, and a possible tornado in Carroll County, only resulted in "a couple of minor injuries" with no reports of fatalities and missing persons.

“We are going to work to do everything we can to help those impacted – and we think there are over 100 structures that are potentially damaged," Beshear said in a statement shortly after 6 p.m. Thursday. "Our job is to make sure that no Kentuckian is alone, especially in these difficult times.”

With another severe weather risk expected overnight, Beshear said Kentuckians should stay aware of weather conditions. The state activated its Emergency Operations Center in preparation to assist local authorities as needed.

Severe weather possible overnight for Louisville, southern Indiana

According to the latest forecast from the National Weather Service, more severe weather is anticipated to move into the Louisville area after 10 p.m. with the greatest chance for storms between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. Friday.

Sporadic damaging wind gusts and large hail will be possible with the strongest storms and isolated tornadoes are possible, the forecast shows.

This story will be updated.

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Suspected tornadoes kill at least 3 in Ohio as severe storms tear through central U.S.

The Associated Press

Greg McDougle walks near debris on Friday, following a severe storm in Lakeview, Ohio. Joshua A. Bickel/AP hide caption

Greg McDougle walks near debris on Friday, following a severe storm in Lakeview, Ohio.

LAKEVIEW, Ohio — Tornadoes tore through several central U.S. states, flattening homes and trailers in an RV park and killing at least three people, with more bodies likely to be discovered, authorities said Friday.

Thursday night's storms left trails of destruction and injuries or deaths in Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana and Arkansas. Tornadoes were also suspected in Illinois and Missouri.

It appeared the worst hit was the Indian Lake area in Ohio's Logan County, northwest of Columbus. At least three people died there, and Sheriff Randy Dodds told NBC's "Today" show that cadaver dogs would search the debris Friday.

"I do anticipate finding additional deceased persons, unfortunately, today," Dodds said.

The tornado devastated the villages of Lakeview and Russells Point, county spokesperson Sheri Timmers said. There were likely "lots of injuries," Timmers said.

Colorado snowstorm knocks out power for thousands

The storm sheared off the tops of homes and damaged a campground and laundromat, leaving twisted metal wrapped in the tops of trees. Snowplows cleared debris from roads.

"There's places burning," said Amber Fagan, president of the Indian Lake Area Chamber of Commerce. "There's power lines through people's windows."

Many of the homes in the area are used as summer cottages by people who come for fishing and boating.

Blaine Schmidt, 34, was inside his house in Lakeview and heard tornado sirens moments before the storm hit his house. He took shelter in his bathtub, using the shower curtain to protect him from broken glass along with his roommate, Greg McDougle, 60.

"I'm lucky to be alive," Schmidt said.

Debris scatters the ground on Friday near damaged homes following a severe storm in Lakeview, Ohio. Joshua A. Bickel/AP hide caption

Debris scatters the ground on Friday near damaged homes following a severe storm in Lakeview, Ohio.

In Indiana, about 40 people were injured by a suspected tornado in Winchester, officials said. There were no known fatalities as of Friday morning.

"I'm shaken; it's overwhelming," said Bob McCoy, mayor of the town of 4,700 about 70 miles (110 kilometers) northeast of Indianapolis. "I heard what sounded like a train, and then I started hearing sirens."

He and his wife were hunkered in a closet during the twister, which hit around 8 p.m.

"I've never heard that sound before; I don't want to hear it again," McCoy said.

The Winchester storm damaged a Walmart store and a Taco Bell restaurant, Randolph County Sheriff Art Moystner told FOX59/CBS4 .

The town's school district was closed Friday, according to a Facebook post. A high school had electricity and was open for people who "need somewhere warm and dry."

West of Winchester, emergency management officials said initial assessments suggested as many as half the structures in the town of Selma, population 750, were damaged by a possible tornado. Only minor injuries were reported, the Delaware County Emergency Management Agency said in a news release.

"Severe weather has impacted Hoosiers all across the state, and we have emergency response personnel in the impacted areas," Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb posted on Facebook Thursday night.

Another suspected tornado damaged homes and toppled trees in Huron County in northern Ohio, officials said, but no deaths or injuries were reported. Storms also damaged homes and trailers in the Ohio River communities of Hanover and Lamb in Indiana.

Sgt. Stephen Wheeles, of the Indiana State Police, said a suspected tornado struck Jefferson County, on the Ohio River north of Louisville, Kentucky, damaging homes and downing trees and power lines.

Baseball-sized 'gorilla hail' hits Kansas and Missouri during severe storms

He posted photos on X showing one home with its roof torn off and another missing roof shingles, as well as an image of a baseball-sized hailstone.

In Kentucky, Trimble County Emergency Management Director Andrew Stark told the Courier Journal of Louisville that the storms damaged at least 50 structures, including homes.

Dozens of structures were damaged in the Kentucky town of Milton, Gov. Andy Beshear said in a statement.

In Arkansas, a probable tornado struck the retirement community of Hot Springs Village, about 40 miles (64 kilometers) southwest of Little Rock, according to National Weather Service meteorologist Erik Green.

Baseball-sized hail also fell and some buildings were destroyed, but there were no reports of fatalities or injuries, Green said.

The Arkansas storms hit nearly one year after a tornado traveled just over 30 miles in the Little Rock area, injuring more than 50 people and killing one person.

There were reports of tornadoes in Jefferson County, Missouri, and Monroe County, Illinois. Large pieces of hail also was reported in the St. Louis area.

More severe weather was forecast Friday for parts of the South, with the possibility of damaging winds and isolated tornadoes, according to the National Weather Service.

Missing Kentucky woman found dead in crash

PIKEVILLE, KY (WOWK) — A Kentucky woman was found dead after their vehicle was discovered in a river.

According to a release from the Kentucky State Police, Vanessa Crum, 52, of Van Lear was reported missing by her family on March 17 around 2:37 p.m. after she did not report to work. After investigators pinged Crum’s cell phone, the Pikeville Police Department was able to locate Crum’s vehicle.

The release said that Crum’s vehicle went over an embankment while travelling along U.S. 23 and was submerged in the Levisa Fork River. Crum was pronounced dead on scene by the Pike County Coroner’s Office.

The investigation is ongoing, and members of the Kentucky State Police, Pikeville Police Department, Pike County Emergency Management and Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife are assisting.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOWK 13 News.

Latest updates on tornadoes, storms in Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana: 3 dead, homes damaged

Click or tap here for the latest updates on the Ohio tornado, storm outbreak

Police in Ohio confirmed three deaths resulting from a fierce storm system that unleashed suspected twisters and damaged homes and businesses in parts of Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana on Thursday.

Authorities in Logan County are dealing with a mass casualty incident where at least three people died a suspected tornado that struck a trailer park near Indian Lake, located about 70 miles northwest of Columbus.

Logan County Sheriff Randy Dodds said the number of deaths could increase as rescue efforts continue.

"It's one hell of a mess up there," Dodds said. "It looks like a war zone." 

Chief Deputy Joe Kopus of the Logan County Sheriff's Office in Bellefontaine, Ohio, also said there likely would be more fatalities discovered, noting there was heavy damage in Lakeview, Midway, Orchard Island and Russells Point.

The Indiana State Police said there are “many significant injuries” after a tornado tore through the community of Winchester.

Greater Cincinnati weather updates: Power restored, rain lingers Friday

Storm damage, injuries in Indiana

“There have been many, many significant injuries, but I don’t know the number. I don’t know where they are. I don’t know what those injuries are,” Indiana State Police Superintendent Douglas Carter told reporters just before midnight Thursday. “There’s a lot that we don’t know yet.”

Earlier in the night, state police said they were investigating reports of deaths but at the news conference Carter said there were “no known fatalities.”

State officials called on Indiana Task Force One to help with search efforts in Winchester, a town of 4,700 people located nearly 70 miles northeast of Indianapolis, according to a post by the rescue team on X. The team is one of 28 Department of Homeland Security and Federal Emergency Management Agency-sponsored Urban Search and Rescue teams in the United States.

More: Storms, possible tornadoes cause severe damage in East Central Indiana

“I’m shaken; it’s overwhelming,” Winchester Mayor Bob McCoy said. “I heard what sounded like a train and then I started hearing sirens.”

He and his wife were hunkered in a closet during the twister, which hit about 8 p.m.

“I’ve never heard that sound before; I don’t want to hear it again,” McCoy said.

The suspected tornado damaged a Walmart store and a Taco Bell in Winchester, Randolph County Sheriff Art Moystner  told FOX59/CBS4 . Travel throughout the county is restricted to emergency management workers only, he said.

To the west of Winchester, in Delaware County, emergency management officials said initial assessments suggested up to half of the structures in the small town of Selma were damaged by a possible tornado.

“We are relieved to report that only minor injuries have been reported thus far, with one individual transported to the hospital for treatment,” the Delaware County Emergency Management Agency said in a news release. About 750 people live in Selma.

Storms hit Indian Lake, Lakeview, Russels Point in Logan County

At about the same time as the tornado hit Winchester, another suspected twister touched down about 75 miles to the east in Logan County, Ohio. The tornado hit near the southern end of Indian Lake, impacting the villages of Lakeview and Russells Point, county spokesperson Sheri Timmers said.

“As far as we know, we have lots of injuries. We don’t know the extent of the injuries,” Timmers said. “An RV park was impacted.”

Multiple buildings in the Indian Lake area were damaged, but the full extent of the destruction was still being assessed as emergency crews searched the area, Timmers said.

Amber Fagan, president and chief executive of the Indian Lake Area Chamber of Commerce, said Lakeview was “completely demolished,” with homes, campgrounds and a laundromat hard-hit by the tornado.

“There’s places burning,” she said. “There’s power lines through people’s windows.”

A shelter was opened for displaced people.

In Ohio’s Huron County, emergency management officials posted on Facebook that there was a “confirmed large and extremely dangerous tornado” near Plymouth, some 75 miles northeast of Indian Lake.

Earlier, storms damaged homes and trailers in the Ohio River communities of Hanover and Lamb in Indiana.

The Ohio governor's office said they did not have any information about fatalities in the state.

Jefferson County Sheriff Ben Flint said storms destroyed three or four single-family homes and four or five other structures and demolished several uninhabited campers along the river.

“We were fortunate that no one was injured,” Flint told the AP in a telephone interview.

Sgt. Stephen Wheeles of the Indiana State Police earlier said another suspected tornado struck Jefferson County, damaging several homes and downing trees and power lines.

He posted photos on X showing one home with its roof torn off and another missing roof shingles as well as an image of a baseball-sized  hailstone .

Around 2,000 Duke Energy customers in Hanover lost power at one point during the storms, the company reported.

Tornado reported in Kentucky

In Kentucky, Trimble County Emergency Management Director Andrew Stark said the storms damaged at least 50 structures, including homes .

“We have a whole bunch of damage,” Stark told the  Courier Journal  of Louisville.

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear issued a statement saying a tornado touched down along the Indiana state border in Gallatin and Trimble counties and there were reports of a couple of minor injuries. He urged Kentuckians to stay aware of the weather as more storms were expected across the state Thursday evening and overnight.

“It does appear that there is some really significant damage, especially to the town of Milton in Trimble County,” Beshear said. “We think there are over 100 structures that are potentially damaged.”

The state’s emergency operations center was activated to coordinate storm response, Beshear said.

Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb posted on Facebook Thursday night that the Indiana Department of Homeland Security is monitoring the current weather situation.

“Severe weather has impacted Hoosiers all across the state, and we have emergency response personnel in the impacted areas,” he wrote.

The Indiana Department of Homeland Security posted on Facebook that their staff are on scene in Randolph County, home to Winchester, working with locals and that the State Emergency Operations Center has been activated to an enhanced staffing level to respond to the storm.

A Facebook post on the Winchester Community High School page said all the schools in that school district would be closed on Friday. Another post said the high school had electricity and was open for emergency use for people who “need somewhere warm and dry.”

Large pieces of hail also was reported in parts of the St. Louis area Thursday afternoon.

There were unconfirmed reports of tornadoes in Jefferson County, Missouri, and Monroe County, Illinois, but no immediate reports of damage.

Severe weather was possible into Thursday night from northeast Texas to Indiana and Ohio, the National Weather Service said on X.