March 1-7 is Severe Weather Awareness Week in Kentucky

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CONTACT: Shawn Harley, 606-666-2560 ext. 642 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 26, 2018

(JACKSON, Kentucky)- March 2, 2012 is a date that many east Kentuckians won’t soon forget. On that date just six years ago, West Liberty, Salyersville, East Bernstadt and nearby communities were devastated by tornadoes and a total of 26 people died across the state. This infamous anniversary serves as an important reminder that large and deadly tornadoes can happen here in the mountains and that now is the time to prepare for whatever this severe weather season may bring!

Governor Matt Bevin has signed a proclamation designating March 1-7, 2018, as Severe Weather Awareness Week in Kentucky. Severe weather knows no boundaries and impacts every individual in every region of the Commonwealth. Because of this, you need to BE AWARE – BE PREPARED – HAVE A PLAN!

A Statewide Tornado Safety Drill will be conducted at approximately 10:07 am EST, Thursday March 1st. During the drill, the National Weather Service (NWS), in partnership with Kentucky Emergency Management (KYEM), the Kentucky Weather Preparedness Committee (KWPC), and Kentucky Broadcasters Association, will issue a test tornado warning message. This will activate weather alert radios, outdoor warning sirens may sound, and many television and radio stations will broadcast the alert, allowing all Kentuckians the opportunity to practice tornado safety. If inclement weather is forecast for March 1st, the Statewide Tornado Drill will be postponed or cancelled.

Following the drill, the NWS offices that serve Kentucky and KYEM will provide severe weather safety information via social media and the web during Severe Weather Awareness Week.

“Severe Weather Awareness Week is a great time to review your emergency plans at home, at work, and at school,” said Shawn Harley, Meteorologist-in-Charge at the National Weather Service in Jackson, KY. “Being prepared and staying weather aware is the key to keeping yourself and your family safe this coming spring and summer.”

Basic severe weather preparedness includes:

Understanding the types of hazardous weather that can affect you and your family. The East Kentucky Severe Weather Threats webpage is a good resource to see what events your community has faced in the past and may face again in the future.
Staying up to date on the weather forecast regularly at weather.gov or your favorite weather source. Get a NOAA Weather Radio and ensure your cell phone can receive localized alerts from emergency management officials.
Building an emergency kit and a developing a family emergency plan that considers all types of local hazards and associated risks.

Partner organizations and the media are encouraged to participate in the week’s activities! Various preparedness articles, infographics and social media plans are available for use and can be found at http://www.weather.gov/jkl/severeawareness. Consider including the hashtag #kywx in your organization’s severe weather preparedness related social media posts.

If you participate in the Statewide Tornado Safety Drill, help emergency managers and weather officials improve weather notifications and awareness campaigns by completing a short online survey at https://kyem.ky.gov/Preparedness/Pages/Tornado.aspx.

Help us build a Weather-Ready East Kentucky by becoming a Weather-Ready Nation Ambassador. This initiative is intended for organizations and designed to help serve the public by strengthening our national resilience against extreme weather events. For more information and to apply, go to https://www.weather.gov/wrn/amb-tou.

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