Emergency Preparedness
Disaster preparedness begins with you. The increase in tornadoes, floods, droughts and fires in the United States (US), including Kentucky, requires all of us to be more diligent and prepared for environmental disasters. Preparation for disasters requires you to be vigilant about having emergency kits and updating items needed prior to a weather disaster because once it happens, it may be too late. Weather disasters occur in many forms, from hurricanes, tornadoes, excessive heat or cold, floods, fires and wind. All of these require many of the same preparations beforehand to avoid unnecessary hardships. It is critical to stay informed about our ever-changing weather. In 2024 there were 719 deaths related to some form of weather/water type disaster in the US and 1,480 people were injured. In addition to the injuries and loss of life caused by these disasters, there was $15,772,000 of damage to property and $2,260,000 of losses in crops, this doesn’t include the loss of farm animals. The number of weather-related disasters has increased over the past 4 decades in the US (NCEI). In the 1980s the average number of weather events was 3.3, in 1990s=5.7, in 2000s=6.7, in 2010s=13.1 and so far in the 2020s it is 23/year (NASA Science).
Between 1980-mid 2024 the United States experienced 396 weather related incidences totaling over $2.78 trillion in damages (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration). In 2024 there was a total of $20.3 billion in crop and rangeland losses alone across the US. Kentucky saw $169.9 million in losses due to major disasters and severe weather, additionally the state saw $92 million in losses due to drought and heat related causes (American Farm Bureau Federation).
Most recently much of the United States including the state of Kentucky has been dealing with a major winter storm which covered over 2000 miles of the US in January 2026. Many states declared a state of emergency, including Kentucky.
The increase in weather related disasters has been attributed to an increase in the average global temperatures over the last 146 years (recording of temperatures started in 1880). This increase in temperature causes significant changes in the environment. In 2025 the average global temperature was 2.17ºF above the average global temperature between 1951-1980. This may not seem like a significant difference, but it is. The 10 hottest years since recordings began in 1880, has been since 2015. This change in temperature causes the warming of the oceans which in turn starts melting the polar ice caps and glaciers. This is a domino effect, the increasing temperatures continues as the world emits greenhouse gases, which in turn helps increase the earth’s surface temperature by trapping the hot air. This can also happen if a drop in temperature occurs by one or two degrees, the opposite happens and the earth starts to cool down. This occurred between the 16th and 19th centuries and was called the Little Ice Age, and when a 5-degree drop occurred 20,000 years ago it created enough change to bury North America in a mass of ice (NASA Science).
Everyone needs a plan in preparation for a natural disaster, additionally kit(s) (for people and pets) containing essential items for you, your family, and if you have any pets. Both the plan and kit(s) need to be maintained more than once a year, planned routes change, needs change and items in the kits may expire (not work) such as batteries in flashlights. Planning a head for food and safe drinking water is essential, more information can be found here. After a disaster occurs, keeping your food and water safe until power is restored and/or cleanup after natural disasters is critical for staying healthy, more information can be found here. One of the most important aspects in preparation for adverse weather events is to be aware of upcoming changes in the weather or the threat of wildfires. National information for many different event weather hazards can be found at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Safety website.
In Kentucky the state government has a website for Emergency Management. The Kentucky Emergency Management site can direct individuals living in the state to emergency shelters, road conditions, and 24/7 assistance throughout the state. There are sections for how to prepare for different weather/fire events, and the recovery process afterwards. Additionally, there are 10 Kentucky Emergency Management area resource offices in the state. These area offices help manage disasters in their region and coordinate aid with local officials during a disaster.
During severe winter weather road conditions can be monitored through the state’s emergency management website KYTC.
In Kentucky, as in many other states, a large portion is rural farmland, containing crops and/or animals. Individuals that live on farms not only have to be concerned with their own safety and their families, but also their farm, crops and/or animals. The University of Kentucky Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment’s Agriculture and Natural Resources program which is part of the Kentucky Cooperative Extension Agency Office and is home to the Extension Disaster Preparedness and Recovery program. Here you can find information needed prior to a weather-related disaster, for both adults and children including information on disasters such as tornadoes, flooding and severe winter weather. See resources in regard to people and animals before, during and after a disaster. The United States Department of Agriculture also has information on preparation for your livestock before a disaster strikes.
For additional information for local, state and national weather-related disasters:
- Emergency Management | City of Lexington, Kentucky
- Build an Emergency Kit - Be Ready Lexington
- Disaster Resource Center | USDA
- Make A Plan | Ready.gov
- Winter | NWS
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