UK launches strike teams after uptick in ‘billion-dollar’ weather disasters

These strike teams will be composed of trained county agents and staff from across the Bluegrass.

“Kentucky has experienced an increase in ‘billion dollar’ weather disasters — a total of 92 impacting the area since 1980, with seven of those devastating events occurring in 2024 alone,” said University of Kentucky senior meteorologist Matt Dixon.

The initiative was made possible through a partnership and grant from the Extension Disaster Education Network (EDEN) with the goal of a more efficient disaster response in Kentucky.

“This initiative will allow Extension leaders to learn from established strike team models and, crucially, implement a pilot strike team program within Kentucky Cooperative Extension,” said Jeff Young, Kentucky EDEN project team leader and Director of Urban Extension at Martin-Gatton CAFE. “Furthermore, the development of a national toolkit provides a roadmap for other states to build their own resilient disaster response networks.”

Kayla Watts, a former UK extension agent in Breathitt County, remembers watching the waters steadily rise as the waters flooded Jackson in 2022. As one of the 40 strike team members, she said organization is the key to success.

“Many people want to help, but it must be streamlined,” Watts said. “These strike teams are a ready-made, trained group who are ready to help and provide relief. As a strike team member, you are working in coordination with your county’s emergency plan. In our trainings, we are now stressing the importance of preparedness, support, and recovery.” 

The strike teams also plan to respond and reduce the impact of disasters through research-based education.