Over the last year (2025) across the state of Kentucky, families have been faced with all kinds of disasters from flooding, tornadoes, and winter snow storms.  In order to meet these ongoing challenges, Kentucky State University’s family and consumer science (FCS) extension agent decided to complete a series of classes on disaster preparedness. So to meet that need to prepare some of the citizens within Hardin County, she facilitated a 5 part series between the months of (Dec. 2024-April 2025). The FCS Extension agent partnered with the Community Resource Development educator from the West Louisville area, to identify ways for seniors and families to prevent losses during various kinds of disasters from snow storms to floods. After that analysis they came up with the goal that  the program was developed to assist families with mitigating losses prior to a disaster and after a disaster for families with a home/apartment, business, or farm.  The series covered the following lessons on: Preparing for Winter Weather and Power Outages, Extreme Weather Preparedness, Emergency Preparedness, Food & Water Considerations after a Disaster, Financial Considerations After a Flood, and Flooding Awareness.

For the length of the Disaster Preparedness series there was about 187 participants that participated in the program, who all did learn how to identify several mitigation strategies and processes that will either assist them in the future when they are faced with a disaster or it may have already assisted them in a disaster that has happened recently over the last couple of months. The program participants were all provided with pre and post surveys for this program. Based on the evaluations about 95% of the program participants learned something new about preparing for a disaster. One of the most informative & important programs that seemed to get the most positive client feedback was a program on creating a disaster kit (partial supplies for the kit was provided, supplies such as whistles, emergency medical cards, travel size flash lights.)  Program participants were encouraged to continue to add items into the kit to get everything that was listed on the disaster kit items to include sheet. This program allowed the program participants to get a few items to start their emergency kits.  In addition to the supplies, they some factsheets from the agency, FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) on knowing when the next disaster will strike next and where.  The app also provides a map & phone numbers on how to locate any local shelters and phone numbers to other assistance for items such as food, clothing, transportation, and information on how to file claims for disaster relief funds.

Here are some other things that were shared as a part of the program series: how to save  financial documents in a flood, how to create a family communication plan, and how to prepare to leave their home in the case of an evacuation. They also learned several techniques on how to shelter in place. In addition to the surveys we also received several testimonial statements about how much the program participants enjoyed the disaster preparedness program and were able to develop an evacuation plan for their families and pets if they lose power.

Some of the participants even mentioned that they did not really consider food and water amounts in starting to prepare for something like a power outage. The financial considerations and food and water segment was one of the most eye-opening segments from the program due to the fact that sometimes people may not have additional funds set aside to replace items that are lost. So we did recommend having things like flood insurance and other types of insurance and a savings account to cover any unexpected expenses for food that may have had to be thrown out after a power outage.  The program participants did get some information on how to keep their documents safe during & after a flood and/or tornado to keep the documents from being destroyed.

In closing, this program made a tremendous impact on the citizens within Hardin County.  We will continue to bring more programs to the community that will prepare our citizens for the unexpected weather.

Pictured Above: Senior participants at Emergency Preparedness program watching  powerpoint presentation.

Pictured Above: Kentucky State University's Community Resource development educator, Cameron Sellers, leads powerpoint presentation on "Disaster Preparedness session on Extreme Weather."

Pictured Above: Factsheet on Seasonal Disaster Preparedness for the seniors during one of the sessions on Disaster preparedness featured in the series. 

Pictured Above: FCS Extension Agent, Chandra DeRamus, in Hardin County presents information for session on "Financial Considerations After a Disaster, Avoiding Scams."

Pictured Above: Seniors at Wesley Hilltop Community center gathering for a warm lunch after beginning session on "Preparing for Winter Weather and Power Outages."

Pictured Above: Winter bags of resources for the program participants for session on "Preparing for Winter Weather Power Outages."

Pictured Above: Kentucky State University (KSU) FCS Extension Agent, Chandra DeRamus working with senior after disaster preparedness program. 

Pictured Above: Community Resource development educator, Cameron Sellers, and FCS Extension Agent, Chandra DeRamus ending a session on "Extreme Weather Preparedness at the Wesley Hilltop community center. 

Pictured Above: Disaster Preparedness kits with FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) and Emergency medical cards, w/whistle.