Campus News

University community invited to help update UK Hazard Mitigation Plan

Entrance of the Robinson Center for Appalachian Resource Sustainability (RCARS)
Entrance of the Robinson Center for Appalachian Resource Sustainability (RCARS). Photo by Daniel Wilson.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Oct. 20, 2022) — Following two separate natural hazard events, including the flooding in Eastern Kentucky and tornadoes in Western Kentucky, the University of Kentucky is working to reduce the risk to human life and property from natural hazards through its updated FEMA-approved Hazard Mitigation Plan.

This year, the university is updating this plan and is looking for input from the university community.

UK students, faculty and staff are invited to join UK Police and its Division of Crisis Management and Preparedness from 9:30-10:30 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 27, at Gatton Student Center Worsham Cinema, for the Hazard Identification Meeting to provide input and learn more about the planning process. If you cannot attend the meeting in-person, a Zoom link will be posted on this page.

Immediately following the meeting, an open house will be held from 10.30 a.m.-noon at the same location. Individuals who cannot come to the meeting are encouraged to drop by the open house to learn more. Staff will be in the hallway near the theater so students, faculty and staff can provide input and learn more about the update.

Additional ways UK community members can help:

UK's Hazard Mitigation Plan has kept the university in compliance with federal hazard mitigation planning standards resulting from the Regulations and Guidance | FEMA.gov as contained in 44 CFR 201.6.  As a result, the university is an eligible applicant for state and federal funds for mitigation and disaster assistance grant programs administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). These grants support the university in implementing projects that reduce risks. These projects can include structural projects like the stormwater project on Alumni Drive and nonstructural projects, like university policies that protect lives and property.

UK’s Hazard Mitigation Plan is a collaborative effort on the part of UK Police - Division of Crisis Management and Preparedness, the UK Hazard Mitigation Steering Committee, state and local agencies, the UK community and UK stakeholders.

As the state’s flagship, land-grant institution, the University of Kentucky exists to advance the Commonwealth. We do that by preparing the next generation of leaders — placing students at the heart of everything we do — and transforming the lives of Kentuckians through education, research and creative work, service and health care. We pride ourselves on being a catalyst for breakthroughs and a force for healing, a place where ingenuity unfolds. It's all made possible by our people — visionaries, disruptors and pioneers — who make up 200 academic programs, a $476.5 million research and development enterprise and a world-class medical center, all on one campus.   

In 2022, UK was ranked by Forbes as one of the “Best Employers for New Grads” and named a “Diversity Champion” by INSIGHT into Diversity, a testament to our commitment to advance Kentucky and create a community of belonging for everyone. While our mission looks different in many ways than it did in 1865, the vision of service to our Commonwealth and the world remains the same. We are the University for Kentucky.