FRANKFORT, KY. (Feb. 23, 2023) – The Commonwealth is no stranger to severe weather. The last three years have shown that being prepared for and knowing how/what to do in an emergency is crucial for response, recovery and, most importantly, survival.

As part of the 2023 Severe Weather Preparedness Week, Kentucky Emergency Management (KYEM) and the National Weather Service (NWS) have teamed up to host several events and share valuable information to help Kentuckians be more prepared in the future.

“It is never a question of if, but the reality of when,” said KYEM Director Jeremy Slinker when asked about severe weather preparedness. “The last few years have taught everyone in Kentucky that being prepared at all times is not something we can put off till next week, next month, or even tomorrow. We must be proactive in taking steps today. That is exactly what severe weather awareness week is all about.”

The Governor of Kentucky proclaimed March 1-7 each year as Severe Weather Awareness Week.

This week, Kentuckians are encouraged to:
● Watch the KET Severe Weather special airing March 1 at 8 p.m. and March 3 at 4 p.m.;
● Join us for a Kentucky-wide tornado drill March 1 at 10:07 a.m.;
● Participate in the tornado drill via our virtual Facebook event – https://fb.me/e/2A60aSiAN – for contests and prizes;
● Be sure to follow KYEM and NWS on your preferred social media for all kinds of severe weather awareness content; and
● Share what you are doing to practice preparedness in your everyday life and use the hashtags #SWAW23, #KYEM and #KYNWS.

The NWS is the official agency for issuing severe weather watches, warnings and advisories to alert the public when dangerous weather conditions are expected.

“Severe weather, including tornadoes, can occur anytime day or night,” said NWS Louisville Warning Coordination Meteorologist Mike Kochasic. “As part of Severe Weather Awareness Week, strongly consider having multiple ways to receive life-saving messages, so you’re ready to move to safety at any hour of the day.”

In 2022, Kentucky communities had between 110 and 130 thunderstorm risk days, some of which included large hail, damaging winds, flash flooding and tornadoes. This is roughly one out of every three days of the year that Kentuckians are exposed to lightning risk, among other thunderstorm hazards.

This year, we will focus on topics from tornado safety, lightning safety and hail/wind safety, and even how to be safe while on beach vacations this summer.

“From a state-wide tornado drill on March 1 to engaging events for kids, these teams have put together a lot of great opportunities for our families,” said Gov. Beshear. “Let’s work together to keep our loved ones safe by being more prepared.”

For more information about what to do before, during and after severe weather, please visit:

KYEM Website: Kentucky Emergency Management
KYEM Twitter: @KentuckyEM)
KYEM Facebook: Kentucky Emergency Management | Frankfort KY | Facebook
KYEM Instagram: @kentuckyemergencymanagement
KYEM Nextdoor: COMING SOON

NWS Website: National Weather Service
NWS Louisville Facebook: (6) US National Weather Service Louisville Kentucky | Facebook
NWS Louisville Twitter @NWSLouisville
NWS Paducah Facebook: (6) US National Weather Service Paducah Kentucky | Facebook
NWS Paducah Twitter: @NWSPaducah
NWS Wilmington, OH Facebook: (6) US National Weather Service Wilmington OH | Facebook
NWS Wilmington, OH Twitter; @NWSILN
NWS Jackson Facebook: (6) US National Weather Service Jackson Kentucky | Jackson KY | Facebook
NWS Jackson Twitter: @nwsjacksonky