LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Kentucky was on high alert after tornadoes ripped through several U.S. cities over the weekend. As the state enters into the severe weather season, it’s important to be prepared and have safety plans in place.

What You Need To Know

  • People can prepare for big storms by having safety plans 

  • When tornado warnings are issued, people should take heed to the warning and stay weather-aware

  • The Louisville and Lexington emergency management divisions both have ways for people to receive weather notifications

Emergency management divisions across the commonwealth play a vital role in keeping residents safe during extreme weather events.

“We bring information in and we help it go out to the right people,” said Emily Fay, the public information officer for Lexington Emergency Management.

The divisions also provide communities with resources on safety tips. Jody Meiman with Louisville Emergency Management and Services said people should be prepared before storms even hit.

“You can make safety kits and home safety kits or travel safety kits,” Meiman said. “You can make those things up ahead of time.”

Meiman said people should have a safety plan in the event of a tornado.

“You shouldn’t wait until the disaster affects you to actually come up with a plan then,” Meiman said.

Safety plans include identifying a safe location.

“The best place to be during a tornado is inside, preferably underground, in a basement someplace with no windows,” Fay said. “If you don’t have a basement, you want to go to a small interior room with no windows. Usually, it’s like a bathroom or a hall closet, and you could take a mattress in there or blankets or something heavier to put over you in case there is some damage to your home.”

For people who are outside or on the road, do not go under an overpass or bridge. According to FEMA, it’s safer to find a low, flat location.

“If there’s a tornado coming your way, you want to get as low as possible,” Fay said. “So that first floor, some places, have an enclosed stairwell with no windows. That’s a good place to be. Make friends with somebody on the first floor. See if your apartment complex or dorm has an office or some place that everybody can shelter.”

Tornadoes can happen at any time. Once a tornado warning has been issued, take heed to the warning and stay informed through the news, phone, or even weather radios.

Residents in Louisville can find a banner on the Louisville Metro government website where they can sign up to receive emergency alerts.

Lexington residents can go to their emergency management division’s website to sign up for ‘LEXALERTS’ to get weather notifications.

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