Impact of Recent Kentucky Storms on Early Childhood Education Centers and Schools

The severe weather system that struck Kentucky unfolded over the weekend of May 16-19, 2025, with a significant tornado outbreak occurring between May 15 and May 17. During this three-day period, over 40 tornadoes were reported across the Midwestern and Southeastern United States, with several impacting Kentucky. The intensity of this weather event led to tragic consequences, with at least 27-28 fatalities reported across Kentucky, Missouri, and Virginia. Kentucky bore the brunt of the devastation, initially reporting 14-19 deaths, a figure that subsequently rose to 18. In addition to the fatalities, numerous individuals sustained injuries, with at least 10 reported to be in critical condition in Kentucky.   

The geographic impact of the storms was primarily concentrated in central Kentucky, with the southeastern region experiencing the most severe conditions. Areas around Somerset and London, located in Laurel and Pulaski Counties, were particularly hard hit. With the weekend now over, the question some are trying to answer is, "What about school?" Specifically, "What about school as it relates to Early Childhood Education?" Storms like this do not discriminate where they will hit and what facilities will receive their damage. With schools set to finish up their years within the next couple weeks, some of the affected areas may choose to end early, allowing for time to assess and address damage, or free up undamaged facilities to be used for community support like shelters, feeding centers resource distribution centers and more.  

Impact on K-12 Schools

In the immediate aftermath of the severe weather, school districts in the most affected areas took swift action to ensure the safety of their students and staff. Laurel County Public Schools announced on Sunday, May 18, 2025, that all schools within the district would be closed on Monday, May 19, 2025, due to the impacts of the severe weather event that occurred over the weekend. Recognizing the challenges faced by many student families in the wake of this natural disaster, the Laurel County Schools Family Resource and Youth Service Centers proactively reached out to students to offer support. Additionally, the district's counseling staff made themselves available to provide assistance as needed. Similarly, Pulaski County Schools also made the decision to cancel all classes for Monday, citing widespread power outages and debris obstructing roadways as the primary reasons for the closure. Officials in Pulaski County expressed hope that classes would be able to resume on Tuesday, contingent on the restoration of power and the clearing of debris.   

Beyond closures, school facilities played a crucial role in providing immediate shelter and support to those displaced by the storms. South Laurel High School was established as an emergency shelter for both storm victims and the first responders assisting them. The outpouring of community support was evident as donations of essential items such as food and other necessities were delivered to the high school. Cots were also set up within the facility to provide temporary accommodation. In addition to South Laurel High School, the First Baptist Church in London also opened its doors to provide shelter for individuals and families impacted by the tornado.   

Reports also emerged regarding the physical impact of the storms on school buildings. In Pulaski County, the Area Technology building sustained significant damage specifically affecting its industrial Maintenance lab. While Southern Middle School and Southern Elementary, also in Pulaski County, did not initially appear to have suffered any structural damage, both schools experienced power outages. Power was subsequently reported to have been restored to Southern Middle School. While these are the immediate reports from the recent event, it is worth noting that Fayette County Public School buildings experienced power loss and various forms of damage, including to roofs, gutters, awnings, and ceilings, during earlier windstorms in March 2023. This prior event underscores the general vulnerability of school infrastructure to severe weather conditions.   

In response to the crisis, Laurel County Schools demonstrated a commitment to supporting their students and families beyond just announcing closures. The district's Family Resource and Youth Service Centers took proactive steps to reach out to students and offer assistance. Furthermore, the availability of counseling staff was emphasized, recognizing the potential emotional toll that such a traumatic event can have on individuals. The response of Kentucky universities to previous storms, such as Western Kentucky University (WKU) and the University of Kentucky (UK), which provided shelter, food, internet access, and counseling , suggests that these institutions may also play a vital role in supporting the communities affected by the recent storms in the longer term.   

Impact on Early Childhood Education Centers

The impact of the recent storms extended to early childhood education centers in the affected regions, prompting concern for the well-being of young children and the operational status of these facilities. Save the Children, an organization with a long history of working in Kentucky , immediately mobilized to address the urgent needs of children in Laurel and Pulaski Counties. Their efforts included the provision of essential supplies such as hygiene kits, diapers, and wipes, as well as direct cash assistance to help families meet their most pressing needs. 

Recognizing the critical role of child care centers in supporting both children and working parents, Save the Children also undertook the task of assessing the extent of the damage to these facilities. The organization expressed its readiness to assist in the restoration of child care and early learning centers that had been damaged by the storm. Furthermore, Save the Children's psychosocial support team was prepared to contribute to long-term recovery efforts by addressing the mental health needs of both children and their caregivers.   

The vulnerability of early childhood education centers to severe weather is further highlighted by an incident during earlier storms in April 2025 in Jefferson County, where a daycare center suffered significant damage, including the roof being torn off by strong winds. This event serves as a stark reminder of the potential for even seemingly less intense storms to severely impact these facilities. Within Kentucky, there are existing regulations mandating that licensed child care centers and family child care homes have comprehensive written evacuation plans in place to prepare for various emergencies, including natural disasters. These plans are required to outline procedures for designated relocation sites and evacuation routes, methods for notifying parents of the relocation and ensuring family reunification, protocols for addressing the needs of individual children (including those with special needs), staff training and reassignment of duties, and coordination with local emergency management officials. These plans should be updated annually, and copies made readily available for inspection and provided to parents upon enrollment and whenever updates occur. While these regulations provide a framework for emergency preparedness, the actual impact of the recent tornado outbreak on these centers and the effectiveness of these plans in such a severe event remains to be fully understood.   

Community and Organizational Response

The response to the devastating storms in Kentucky involved a coordinated effort from various community groups, organizations, and governmental bodies. Immediate action was taken to establish emergency shelters for those who were displaced from their homes. South Laurel High School and the First Baptist Church in London quickly became central points for providing refuge and assistance. The community demonstrated remarkable generosity, with an outpouring of donations including food, hygiene products, diapers, blankets, and other essential necessities being delivered to these shelters.   

Elected officials representing the affected areas acknowledged the profound devastation and the tragic loss of life. They emphasized the ongoing need for search and rescue operations and underscored the importance of continued community support for those impacted. Governor Andy Beshear promptly declared a state of emergency for Kentucky, a crucial step that facilitates access to state resources and paves the way for requesting federal disaster assistance. Recognizing the multifaceted needs of those affected, the Kentucky Office of Emergency Management established a dedicated hotline to support businesses impacted by the storms. Additionally, Team Kentucky Storm Resources provided a non-life-threatening emergency management hotline and a disaster distress hotline to offer further assistance and support to individuals and families. Save the Children actively coordinated its efforts with state and local partners to ensure that essential, child-focused supplies reached the children and families most severely affected by the disaster.   

A Long Road Back Begins

After a weekend like this, many begin to ask, "What next?" It is hard to determine where to begin. Damage on this scale is not a quick fix. These regions will be addressing the conditions left in the wake of these storms for years to come. Schools and Early Learning Centers will also be dealing with these effects...

Addressing Immediate Needs

There will be a great amount of work from volunteers, staff, professionals and public officials.

• Detailed Assessment of Damage: A thorough and systematic assessment of the damage sustained by all schools and early childhood education centers in the impacted counties, including Laurel and Pulaski, must be conducted. This assessment should meticulously document structural damage, disruptions to essential utilities such as power and internet connectivity, and any other factors that may impede the resumption of normal operations. This detailed information is crucial for informed decision-making regarding resource allocation and the prioritization of repair efforts.   

• Provision of Temporary Learning Spaces: Contingency plans should be developed and implemented for the provision of temporary learning spaces for students in the event that their regular school buildings have incurred significant damage or remain unusable. Options to be explored include utilizing undamaged sections of existing school facilities, deploying portable classroom units, or repurposing suitable community centers to serve as temporary educational environments. Minimizing the disruption to students' education is paramount, and the swift provision of temporary spaces will facilitate a quicker return to learning and a sense of stability.   

• Mental Health Support for Students and Staff: Comprehensive mental health support services must be readily available to students, teachers, and staff within the affected school districts. This should encompass trauma-informed counseling and the provision of resources designed to help individuals cope with the emotional and psychological aftermath of the storms. The traumatic nature of such events necessitates dedicated support to foster emotional recovery within the school community.   

• Support for Early Childhood Education Centers: Targeted assistance should be directed towards early childhood education centers that have been impacted by the storms. This support should include financial aid for repairs, resources for the replacement of damaged educational materials and equipment, and guidance to facilitate the safe and timely resumption of their operations. Recognizing the critical role these centers play in early childhood development and in enabling parents to return to work, their swift recovery is essential for the overall community well-being.   

Long-Term Recovery & Resilience

Much will go in to being as well-prepared as possible for future weather events.

• Infrastructure Improvement: Strategic investments will need to be made to enhance the resilience of school and early childhood center infrastructure against future severe weather events. This includes a review and potential upgrade of building codes to incorporate greater resistance to high winds and other storm-related hazards. Reinforcing existing structures and ensuring the availability of reliable backup power systems are also critical measures to minimize future disruptions.   

• Emergency Preparedness Training: The frequency and scope of emergency preparedness training for staff and students in all educational institutions should be increased. Regular drills simulating various emergency scenarios, such as tornadoes and floods, should be conducted to ensure familiarity with safety protocols. Existing evacuation and shelter-in-place plans should be thoroughly reviewed and updated to reflect best practices and lessons learned from this and previous events.   

• Integration of Disaster Preparedness into Curriculum: Consideration should be given to integrating age-appropriate disaster preparedness education into the standard school curriculum. This proactive approach will raise awareness among students, equip them with essential knowledge and skills to respond effectively during severe weather events, and potentially reduce fear and anxiety associated with such emergencies.

• Establishment of a Disaster Recovery Fund for Education: A dedicated disaster recovery fund should be established at the state level specifically to provide timely financial assistance to schools and early childhood education centers affected by natural disasters. This fund could be utilized to cover immediate repair costs, expenses related to temporary relocation, and other urgent needs, ensuring that educational institutions can recover swiftly without being unduly hampered by bureaucratic delays in accessing necessary financial resources.

• Review and Adaptation of Non-Traditional Instruction (NTI) Plans: In light of the potential for future weather-related disruptions, school districts should undertake a comprehensive review and adaptation of their Non-Traditional Instruction (NTI) plans. The goal is to ensure that effective remote learning can be seamlessly implemented should school buildings be forced to close for extended periods. This review should specifically address potential inequities in access to technology and reliable internet connectivity among students to ensure that all learners can continue their education without interruption.  

Kentucky Strong

Here at KAECE, our hearts are with our fellow educators and the many children and families effected by these storms. When any part of Kentucky hurts, the whole commonwealth collectively feels the effect.