LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Kentucky was on high alert on March 17, 2025, after tornadoes ripped through several U.S. cities over the weekend, raising concerns as the season for severe weather begins. With memories of past devastations still fresh, emergency management officials are urging residents to prepare safety plans to safeguard against potential dangers facilitated by this unpredictable weather.
“We bring information in and help it go out to the right people,” said Emily Fay, the public information officer for Lexington Emergency Management, highlighting the role these divisions play during such crises. The government offers resources to educate communities about safety tips, which are invaluable as tornadoes can strike at any time.
Jody Meiman from Louisville Emergency Management advised residents to create 'safety kits' which include essentials they might need when storm warnings are announced. “You can make safety kits and have safety plans ready before storms hit,” Meiman noted during an interview. These kits can be home-based or travel-focused, ensuring families are covered regardless of their whereabouts when disaster strikes.
Emergency preparation is pivotal when facing tornadoes. According to Fay, “The best place to be during a tornado is inside, preferably underground, in a basement with no windows.” She recommended those without basements to seek refuge in small interior rooms such as bathrooms or hall closets, ideally fortified with mattresses or heavy blankets. The idea is to provide some insulation against potential flying debris during the storm.
Residents are also advised against seeking shelter under overpasses or bridges when caught outdoors during a tornado. Instead, they should find lower, flatter ground to lie down and cover their heads to minimize injury. “If there’s a tornado coming your way, you want to get as low as possible,” Fay warned. “Some places have enclosed stairwells without windows which can also serve as good shelters.”
Once tornado warnings have been issued, staying informed becomes imperative. Residents are encouraged to tune in to local news, utilize their phones, or invest in weather radios for real-time updates. For example, Louisville residents can sign up for alerts via the Louisville Metro government website, and Lexington residents can opt-in for 'LEXALERTS' to stay updated on weather notifications.
Reflecting on the past, Louisville, Mississippi, remains deeply affected by the EF-4 tornado which struck eleven years ago. Nicole Prisock, who witnessed the devastation firsthand as she was pregnant and working at the nursing home during the tornado, recalled, “We gathered all our residents together and hunkered down. After it was all over, there was water coming from the ceiling, and you could smell gas. It was pretty devastating.”
Dealing with such trauma left lasting effects on local residents. “I still feel shell-shocked because I got hit,” shared Devon Miller, another Louisville resident who experienced the impact of the 2014 tornado. The tragedy led to the construction of the Louisville Community Safe Room — now embraced as a sanctuary during tornado threats.
Miller frequently returns to the dome during severe weather, feeling comforted by its presence. “When I think of severe weather, I come to the dome because I feel like God built this for us,” he said, adding the emotional significance this safe space holds for him and his fellow residents.
While the weather can trigger anxiety, Prisock also finds solace knowing her family has access to the safe room. “It's comforting to know we are safe. A lot of praying for calm nerves, hoping this weather passes without severe outcomes,” she said, reflecting shared sentiments about their safety during turbulent times.
With families often feeling anxious about the unpredictable weather, having areas where they can come together is invaluable. “It helps the situation be so much more manageable just knowing we’ll all be together if anything happens,” Rhylee Warren expressed, illustrating the community's collective spirit.
Chris Young, the Louisville director of public safety, acknowledged the collaborative efforts of city and county workers as well as first responders, stating, “Everybody working together makes this easier on the best days, and on the worst days, it definitely eases the load to have help available if needed.”
The Louisville Community Safe Room is equipped with televisions for those unable to use cell phones, ensuring even without personal devices, residents can access information on their local weather conditions.
With all these preventive measures and safety measures being actively deployed, residents are encouraged to keep vigilant as they navigate through the severe weather season, remembering past challenges only as lessons learned. Preparedness remains the most effective tool against nature's unpredictable moods, and Kentucky's local emergency management teams continue to work tirelessly to build resilient communities.
