The problem

The December 2021 tornado caused over $25 million damage in Ohio Co. Even though it spared the major population areas in the county, the tornado cut a 35 mile long path across the agricultural areas of the county – destroying houses, barns, poultry houses, grain storage systems, fences, trees, etc… As the tornado traveled southwest to northeast across the county, around 75 farms were impacted.

The educational program response

The Ohio County Extension Service assisted in recovery efforts by providing housing for house/barn rebuilding groups, providing meals, aiding in cleanup, and coordinating fencing supplies for livestock producers. Even though we are 11/2 years since the tornado struck, long term recovery is still on-going, with rebuilding of houses for low-income citizens, repair/rebuilding of fences and barns, and cleanup of woodland areas.

The participants/target audience

Other partners (if applicable)

Program impact or participant response.

1. Distributed over 500 t-posts, 400,000 feet of barb wire, 50 rolls of woven wire fencing, 20 solar chargers for temporary fence, and numerous buckets of steeples, gloves, hammers, and other fencing materials. Materials donated by Ky Farm Bureau/Ky Department of Agriculture, Ohio Co. Cattleman’s Assoc., 4 other
2. Housed over 20 different groups in Workshop Center who were assisting with house/barn repairs/rebuilds. These groups came from North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Tennessee, Virginia, New York, West Virginia, Michigan, and other states.
3. Currently, assisting “Long Term Recovery Group” in assisting victims with rebuilding houses/barns, replacing households items lost in the tornado and rebuilding fences. 

Comments:

“The generosity and compassion of citizens across Ohio County and the U.S. has allowed our family to rebuild our homes and lives. I could never thank all the people who have assisted our family during this time.” (Tornado Victim)