Western Kentucky University
Historical County Level Maps of Natural Disasters and Extreme Weather Events for a Statewide Public Health Jurisdictional Risk Assessment
Grade Level at Time of Presentation
Junior
Major
Health Sciences
Institution 24-25
Western Kentucky University
KY House District #
25
KY Senate District #
2
Faculty Advisor/ Mentor
Taylor Ritchie; Jacqueline Basham; Edrisa Sanyang; Gretchen Macy
Department
Public Health
Abstract
This study provides an analysis of extreme weather and natural disaster information for public health preparedness. The analysis is part of a statewide jurisdictional risk assessment designed to advance Kentucky’s capabilities to prepare for and respond to public health threats. Specifically, this analysis provides the most significant weather and natural disaster threats on a county level; additionally, this study should inform policy and legislation related to public health in Kentucky. Historical Occurrences of extreme weather events and other natural disasters have affected Kentucky communities. While data on these hazards exists, more needs to be done to present the data in an easily understandable manner to those within affected communities. Armed with this knowledge, Kentucky communities can ascertain the dangers certain weather conditions pose to their regions. This observational study created maps using data sourced from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) showing the historical occurrences of Drought, Earthquakes, Extreme Temperature Events, Wildfires, Floods, Hailstorms, Landslides, Severe Winter Storms, Thunderstorms/Lightning, and Tornado/Windstorms that have caused either damage to property or bodily harm to one or more citizens of Kentucky. This data is presented at the county level from 2000-2024. The goal of this project is to highlight dangers associated with natural disasters so that local public health officials may bolster their preparedness, prevention, and mitigation plans.
Historical County Level Maps of Natural Disasters and Extreme Weather Events for a Statewide Public Health Jurisdictional Risk Assessment
This study provides an analysis of extreme weather and natural disaster information for public health preparedness. The analysis is part of a statewide jurisdictional risk assessment designed to advance Kentucky’s capabilities to prepare for and respond to public health threats. Specifically, this analysis provides the most significant weather and natural disaster threats on a county level; additionally, this study should inform policy and legislation related to public health in Kentucky. Historical Occurrences of extreme weather events and other natural disasters have affected Kentucky communities. While data on these hazards exists, more needs to be done to present the data in an easily understandable manner to those within affected communities. Armed with this knowledge, Kentucky communities can ascertain the dangers certain weather conditions pose to their regions. This observational study created maps using data sourced from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) showing the historical occurrences of Drought, Earthquakes, Extreme Temperature Events, Wildfires, Floods, Hailstorms, Landslides, Severe Winter Storms, Thunderstorms/Lightning, and Tornado/Windstorms that have caused either damage to property or bodily harm to one or more citizens of Kentucky. This data is presented at the county level from 2000-2024. The goal of this project is to highlight dangers associated with natural disasters so that local public health officials may bolster their preparedness, prevention, and mitigation plans.