Kentucky Emergency Preparedness
Official emergency management contacts, disaster risks, kit checklists, and action plans for Kentucky residents.
State Emergency Management Agency
Kentucky Division of Emergency Management
Sign up for your county's emergency alert system for real-time warnings. FEMA Region 4 also provides free CERT training and Ready.gov resources.
Kentucky Risk Profile
Emergency Kit Checklist
Minimum 72-hour supply. For Kentucky, plan for 7 days due to tornadoes risk.
Water
- ✓ 1 gallon per person per day (7-day supply)
- ✓ Water purification tablets
- ✓ Portable water filter (e.g., Sawyer, LifeStraw)
- ✓ Collapsible water containers
Food
- ✓ 7-day supply of non-perishables
- ✓ Manual can opener
- ✓ Portable camp stove + fuel
- ✓ High-calorie energy bars
Communication
- ✓ Battery-powered NOAA weather radio
- ✓ Backup phone charger / power bank
- ✓ Printed emergency contact list
- ✓ Whistle + signal mirror
Kentucky-Specific Extras
- ✓ Battery-powered NOAA weather radio
- ✓ Sturdy shoes for post-storm debris
- ✓ Heavy gloves for cleanup
- ✓ Whistle to signal for help
Make Your Emergency Plan
A physical kit is only half the equation. Every household needs a written plan that everyone knows.
Identify two meeting places
One near home (e.g., a neighbor's driveway) and one outside your neighborhood if you can't return home.
Designate an out-of-state contact
It's often easier to reach someone across the country during a local emergency. Everyone calls the same number.
Know your shelter-in-place option
Find a basement or interior room on the lowest floor, away from windows. A bathroom or closet on the lowest level can be a life-saver.
Sign up for county emergency alerts
The Kentucky Division of Emergency Management coordinates alerts. Visit your county's emergency management website to register for text and email warnings.
Practice once a year
Do a full drill — where do you go, what do you grab, how do you communicate? Muscle memory matters in a real emergency.
Critical Documents to Protect
Store originals in a fireproof, waterproof box. Keep digital copies in a secure cloud service. Keep photocopies in your go-bag.