Kentucky's Disaster Risk Areas: Weather Data, Infrastructure Analysis Help Decipher Tornado Impacts

With weather data and infrastructure analysis, researchers delved into the disaster tornado risks in Kentucky that can contribute to weather preparation and recovery.

Parts of the US have experienced challenging weather events, including the following:

• winter storms
• droughts
• heatwaves
• severe weather

The southern US is no stranger to severe weather events, including isolated tornadoes, hail, heavy rain, and flooding.

As a result, understanding tornado impacts will be helpful for protection efforts against severe weather events in the US. Tornadoes can hit in an instant, leaving devastating damage to lives and properties.

Tornado Recovery and Preparation Against Disaster Risk

To understand the risk of tornadoes in the Kentucky area, the recent report looked into weather data, demographics, and infrastructure to provide new insights into tornado-prone areas. The report was published in Sustainability.

The researchers raised concerns about the economic impacts of tornadoes, between 1949 and 2006, adding to the trauma and mental impact of tornadoes on people's health.

In Kentucky, the study observed the tornado history in the region. In 2021, a violent tornado erupted in the state's western portion, leaving 50 casualties and severe damage to properties.

"Tornadoes hit quickly, so preparing for them is key. You need to have plans ready, on an individual and government level. Our research shows where these storms are likely to have the greatest impact on people," Eren Ozguven, director of the Resilient Infrastructure and Disaster Response Center (RIDER), said, as quoted in a report.

With the help of geographic information systems, the study analyzed the tornado frequency and infrastructure that can contribute to the study, finding potentially vulnerable areas to tornadoes. Household income was also considered in the analysis.

Other co-authors of the study include the following:

• Mehmet Burak Kaya, who is a graduate research assistant at RIDER
• Alican Karae, who is a former doctoral student,
• Onur Alisan, who is a postdoctoral researcher at RIDER

In addition, the findings will be helpful for tornado preparation and recovery, especially when severe weather becomes common in the upcoming spring.

Preparing for Tornado Risks: How Can Homeowners Prepare?

Tornadoes can cause power outages and the destruction of infrastructure or properties. Falling debris is also life-threatening to people. As a result, homeowners should have emergency and disaster plans to stay safe from severe weather.

Having disaster weather kits will be helpful and life-saving during challenging weather conditions. Homeowners should store emergency supplies, including flashlights, medicine kits, batteries, food supplies, and bottled water.

Nocturnal tornadoes are also deadly, and homeowners should have emergency alerts turned on. When tornadoes emerge, people should evacuate to secure areas, and wait until the weather improves.

After a tornado outbreak, people should be careful with falling debris.

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