The Commonwealth of Kentucky, as well as each Kentucky county, maintains a constant state of awareness of threats that could affect residents. This monitoring ranges from maintaining contact with the local National Weather Service offices in Louisville, Paducah, and Jackson to working with local, state, regional, and federal public safety representatives during special events.
Should emergency conditions happen, federal, state and local officials have several systems in place to alert and warn residents of the threat and communicate instructions to keep residents safe.
There are some emergency alerting systems that provide statewide coverage. Other systems are county specific.
Statewide Systems
NOAA ALL-HAZARDS WEATHER RADIO
It’s a simple radio and has been around a long time, but there’s nothing that substitutes for a NOAA All-Hazards weather radio in your home, office, and even on your boat or in your hiking, golf, soccer, or other sports gear. They’re inexpensive and work just about anywhere. The radio can be set so it only alerts for local watches, warnings, and advisories. Weather radios can be purchased at most sporting goods stores, hardware stores, and big box stores. They cost about $30. More at https://www.weather.gov/nwr/
EMERGENCY ALERT SYSTEM (EAS)
The National Weather Service and many local emergency management agencies have the ability to send messages to local radio, television, and cable systems via the national Emergency Alert System (EAS). These are typically severe weather warnings, although any significant emergency alert or warning can be sent through the EAS system.
WIRELESS EMERGENCY ALERTS (WEA)
The Wireless Emergency Alert system (WEA) enables states and authorized local public safety agencies to send emergency and public safety messages directly to cell phones and other mobile devices. WEA lets public safety officials target emergency alerts to specific geographic areas. The WEA system uses the FEMA Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS) to participating wireless carriers, which then transmit the alerts in the designated area.
ELECTRONIC SOCIAL MEDIA/WEBSITES
The National Weather Service will publish the latest information about weather emergencies and disasters through its websites found on the homepage of the BeReadyKentucky.com website. Each NWS office publishes information on Facebook and Twitter. Some use other social media channels as well. Local media usually publish weather and emergency information on their websites and social media channels. Please check with each station, as well as local newspapers and other online news sources in a locality, for more information about their websites and social media channels.
LOCAL RADIO AND TELEVISION STATIONS
Local AM and FM radio stations, as well as television stations, gather information from multiple sources about local and regional disasters. They may also have websites and social media channels for the distribution of emergency information.
OTHER LOCAL RESOURCES
MOBILE DEVICE APPS
For smartphone, tablet, and mobile device users, the FEMA app provides the user with current severe weather information and emergency news. There’s a planning section that helps you put together an emergency plan and make a checklist for your emergency kit. Some local jurisdictions have their own apps that a resident can download and use.
LOCAL TEXT ALERTS
Some cities and towns have a system that gives residents the ability to sign up for a variety of alerts and warnings. These range from status alerts for traffic information to severe weather and community emergency alerts. Residents can register online and then select how they want to receive alerts. A person can choose to get alerts sent to a mobile phone via text, email or voice message. Residents can also list a residential and/or business phone number for alerts. Check with your local emergency management agency to see if they have an opt-in local emergency notification system.
OUTDOOR WARNING SIREN NETWORKS
Many cities and towns have outdoor warning sirens that are used to notify residents outdoors about emergencies, typically severe thunderstorms and tornadoes. Some sirens have different wails and tones to indicate a type of emergency. The best thing to do if you hear a warning siren is to access information from a media outlet, website, or other trusted information source. Taking shelter in a sturdy structure is never a bad idea. Remember that most siren systems are designed to alert people who are outdoors in the parks or golf courses. Most sirens are not designed to warn persons indoors.
BEACONS
Some jurisdictions have bright yellow devices located in public buildings, schools, and other facilities. These are triggered by the National Weather Service in case of a severe weather alert. The beacons can also transmit warnings and alerts about community emergencies. Check with your local emergency management agency to see if your city or town has emergency signal beacons in some buildings.
AMATEUR RADIO VOLUNTEERS
While amateur radio operators must be licensed and follow Federal Communication Commission rules, amateur radio (ham radio) operators can provide point-to-point communications for emergency management response activities. With the proper radio equipment, anyone can monitor these radio transmissions. In order to transmit on this system, you’ll need an FCC license. Amateur radio clubs and organizations in central Kentucky occasionally have classes on how to become licensed as an amateur radio operator.