Blog Post: FEMA Officer Jeremy Slinker Addresses LTADD Hazard Mitigation Council
On November 7th, at the quarterly meeting of the Lincoln Trail Area Development District (LTADD) Hazard Mitigation Council, Jeremy Slinker, Federal Coordinating Officer for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), discussed the agency’s most recent responses to the Commonwealth and how local governments can best prepare for disasters.
His presentation highlighted the three most recent designated disaster events in the past twelve months, the broad scale of federal designations in Kentucky, and provided actionable suggestions for local government preparedness when engaging with federal disaster response.
“FEMA is designated to be a support agency. Locally led, state managed, and federally funded is how we should go forward in the future. We do better if we are not fighting.”
Jeremy Slinker
Federal Coordinating Officer for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
Recent Disaster Designations
Slinker noted that Kentucky has experienced three federally designated disasters in the last 12 months:
- February 14, 2025: Severe storms, flooding, straight-line winds, and landslides in eastern Kentucky.
- April 2, 2025: Storms and river flooding across western and central Kentucky.
- May 16-17, 2025: Tornado outbreak across southern Kentucky.
All LTADD counties — Breckinridge, Grayson, Hardin, LaRue, Marion, Meade, Nelson, and Washington — received a FEMA designation in the last 12 months.
Statewide and Regional Impact
Over the last year, FEMA has declared a major disaster or emergency disaster in 113 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. This extensive reach underscores Kentucky’s broad exposure to natural hazards.
This reality means the impact is nearly statewide in scope, not just a few localized incidents. This scope is critical for local mitigation planning and for how LTADD and partner agencies allocate resources and prepare for future event.
Slinker emphasized the collaborative nature of recovery:
“FEMA is designated to be a support agency,” Slinker said. “Locally led, state managed, and federally funded is how we should go forward in the future. We do better if we are not fighting.”
Slinker shared specific advice with local leaders on how to best plan and prepare to engage with FEMA during non-storm times. Recommendations centered on developing a clear disaster-response plan that identifies processes and response partners. Proactive planning will significantly increase efficiencies when federal, state, and local agencies collaborate during a response.
Officer Jeremy Slinker’s update served as a crucial reminder that Kentucky is navigating a demanding recovery phase. With major events involving flooding and tornadoes across a broad set of counties now engaged with FEMA support, both recovery and mitigation must remain front and center. For LTADD and its municipalities, the message is clear: preparedness, coordination, and early involvement are paramount—and the scale of recent response demands that local agencies be proactive rather than reactive.
Acknowledgement
During his presentation, Federal Coordinating Officer Jeremy Slinker recognized the quick and professional response of LTADD Community Development Specialist Leslie Ashlock as part of the state response to recent natural disasters. Kentucky Emergency Management (KYEM) called on Ashlock to provide public information support during the recent disasters. Recognizing the importance of effectively communicating with the general public and media, KYEM embedded Ashlock to provide communication support when they needed it the most.
