LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Gov. Andy Beshear declared a State of Emergency ahead of severe weather that is expected to begin on Friday night in western Kentucky.
Beshear said a strong system will move across the Ohio Valley Friday into Saturday, and that a threat for strong to severe storms exists Friday night into early Saturday morning.
The main threats are damaging straight line wind gusts and isolated tornadoes.
Officials said a severe weather threat is highest and likeliest across western Kentucky, southwest Indiana and central Indiana. Beshear said severe potential farther east is dependent on the amount of available instability or "fuel."
Beshear said the Jackson Purchase area is in "significant danger" and has a "high probability of producing long-track, violent tornadoes."
"This is an area that was hit in December of 2021 by the unimaginable and there is far too high of a probability we will see that again tonight," he said. "The tornado threat is the largest in the far western region, but certainly is real all the way up to I-65 for the rest of Kentucky with the exception of the east."
The rest of Kentucky, with the exception of the east, should expect violent thunderstorms followed by significant winds with wind gusts up to 55 miles per hour.
The NWS anticipates the weather will impact Louisville between 9 p.m. - 1 a.m.
Officials said Beshear activated the state’s price gouging laws to protect families from overpriced goods and services.
The governor advised the public to be somewhere safe, and if you don't have a basement or a safe room in your house to make plans to be somewhere else Friday night.
“This is the worst forecast I’ve seen as Governor. I am declaring a state of emergency so that we can be prepared," Beshear said. "We are taking this very seriously and we need you to take this seriously, too. Please be prepared. Let’s do everything possible to keep everyone safe.”
Jody Meiman, executive director of Louisville Metro Emergency Services, advises residents take the following preparedness steps:
- Check the forecast regularly, be aware of active warnings and watches, and sign up for emergency notifications.
- Identify a safe place in your residence such as a basement, storm cellar or an interior room on the lowest floor with no windows, and practice going there.
- Prepare an emergency kit that includes a flashlight, first aid kit, batteries, water and food, prescription medications and an extra cell phone battery or chargers.
- Remember, outdoor sirens are designed to warn people outdoors to seek shelter immediately and are NOT designed to warn indoor inhabitants.
- Flashlights and battery-operated candles are recommended for emergency lighting. If using real candles, be sure they are in a sturdy non-combustible container, keep them clear of combustibles and never leave them unattended. Be sure to extinguish candles before leaving the home or going to sleep.
Because any weather pattern can change, Emergency Services urges residents to sign up for LENSAlert to receive real-time weather updates, travel advisories and safety information. Text “LENSALERT” to 67283 to sign up.
For extra preparedness tips, please click here.
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