2013 Severe Weather Awareness Month Proclamation
 
The Kentucky Weather Preparedness Committee, made up of members from the National Weather Service, state and local emergency management, and the private sector, continuously strive to help the residents of Kentucky prepare for and become aware of the threat of severe weather in the Commonwealth.  As part of this effort, Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear has declared March 2013 as Severe Weather Awareness Month.  Now is the time for all Kentuckians to prepare themselves and their homes for severe weather, including tornadoes, flash floods, and severe thunderstorms. 

The March 2nd Tornado Outbreak of 2012 showed us that large and damaging tornadoes can occur here in the mountains of eastern Kentucky.  In addition, we face the threats of flooding, large hail, damaging winds and dangerous winter storms each year.  Use the links on this page to educate yourself on the various weather threats that affect Kentucky each year. 

If you're interested in finding out more about severe weather, and what you can do to help the National Weather Service in our mission to protect lives and property, please attend one of our SKYWARN® Weather Spotter Classes coming up at a location near you.  We will also be out and about promoting weather safety at several other outreach events during the month of March.  Check out our Facebook Events Page to see what all we'll be up to and please come out and see us if we are in your neighborhood! 

Just as important as learning about severe weather threats is learning how to increase your awareness level before and during severe weather episodes.  The Kentucky Emergency Manager Briefing Page is an excellent site for everyone - not just emergency managers - to monitor for this purpose.  

Publications:

 
Thunderstorms, Tornadoes, Lightning: Nature's Most Violent Storms  Lightning Safety for You & Your Family Coaches & Sports Officials Guide to Lightning Safety  Weather Spotter's Field Guide 
       
 
 Floods: The Awesome Power Flooding Ahead: Turn Around, Don't Drown Flood Preparation & Safety Guide to Hydrologic Information on the Web
       
Winter Storms: The Deceptive Killers Heat Wave: A Major Summer Killer Hurricanes: Unleashing Nature's Fury Owlie Skywarn™: Watch Out...Storms Ahead
       
Severe Weather Preparedness Guide for Your Church
 Be a Weather Safety Champion!
   
Videos & Public Service Announcements:

  • Turn Around Don't Drown PSA:  The National Weather Service in Jackson teamed with WYMT-TV and Chief Judge Sara Walter Combs, widow of former governor Bert T. Combs, to create this flood safety public service announcement.
  • Ellen Bryan Lightning Safety PSA:  PSA/video featuring Miss Ohio 2011 Ellen Bryan and her teen sister, a lightning victim.

National Weather Service Severe Weather Safety Campaigns:

Additional Weather Safety Information:

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