Exploring Whether Precipitation and Land Use Affect Storm Intensity and Frequency in Pike County, Kentucky
Academic Level at Time of Presentation
Senior
Major
Earth and Environmental Sciences
List all Project Mentors & Advisor(s)
Dr. Robin Zhang
Presentation Format
Oral Presentation
Abstract/Description
In Eastern Kentucky, devastating flooding events in 2022 and 2025 have caused lasting impacts on the local population, destroying homes, businesses and livelihoods. Residents believe that these severe weather events are becoming more frequent and more intense. This paper investigated this claim through examination of precipitation patterns in wet months of the year as well as how land cover potentially affected runoff. Local precipitation and land cover data of Pike County from 1995 to 2025 were collected and analyzed. The results showed that there were slight increases in precipitation over the last three decades, especially in March and April. This indicates that the wet season has come earlier and more intensely. Land cover data revealed over 40 square miles of forest loss and 10 square miles of urban growth. This lack of vegetation would impact infiltration rate and could lead to more extensive damage in these areas during extreme weather events. More research needs to be conducted to expand on these results and help protect this vulnerable region.
Fall Scholars Week 2026
Honors College Senior Thesis Presentations
Exploring Whether Precipitation and Land Use Affect Storm Intensity and Frequency in Pike County, Kentucky
In Eastern Kentucky, devastating flooding events in 2022 and 2025 have caused lasting impacts on the local population, destroying homes, businesses and livelihoods. Residents believe that these severe weather events are becoming more frequent and more intense. This paper investigated this claim through examination of precipitation patterns in wet months of the year as well as how land cover potentially affected runoff. Local precipitation and land cover data of Pike County from 1995 to 2025 were collected and analyzed. The results showed that there were slight increases in precipitation over the last three decades, especially in March and April. This indicates that the wet season has come earlier and more intensely. Land cover data revealed over 40 square miles of forest loss and 10 square miles of urban growth. This lack of vegetation would impact infiltration rate and could lead to more extensive damage in these areas during extreme weather events. More research needs to be conducted to expand on these results and help protect this vulnerable region.