Just last week, severe weather brought strong winds, ice, and numerous watches and warnings across the state. The National Weather Service confirmed an EF-1 tornado touched down, reaching speeds up to 110 mph and cutting across a 43-mile swath of Grayson, Hardin, and Meade Counties.
Gov. Andy Beshear said no one was injured and credited preparedness by first responders and the National Weather Service team, which has expanded to include Jon Wilson as a dedicated meteorologist for emergency operations.
"His new role is based at the Kentucky EOC. It includes working alongside the team to conduct special briefings for state agencies and provide support on blue-sky days, major weather events, and everything in between," Beshear said. "We've had 15 federally declared weather disasters in the last six years, and that didn't include many that should have been declared, and storms like we just had coming through. This is a resource we desperately needed."
The new position is designed to boost collaboration during high-risk weather scenarios, aid the swift dissemination of critical information, and provide direct support for weather events and briefings. Kentucky is one of the first states to adopt this enhanced staffing model.
