Snow has motorists slipping and sliding; filled shelters need help

As temperatures dipped and the city got its first snow, homeless shelters were at capacity and looking for help this weekend.

Police were kept busy handling traffic accidents after Saturday afternoon’s snowfall. Police departments throughout Central and Eastern Kentucky urged motorists to stay off the roads Saturday night if possible.

“Even with just a light accumulation, most roads are snow and ice covered across central and eastern Kentucky,” WKYT-TV Chief Meteorologist Chris Bailey said.

Lexington police Lt. Richard Willoby said police had responded to 223 non-injury collisions and 23 collisions with injuries between 7 a.m. and 10:30 p.m.

Officers from the day shift were advised that they’d need to stay late, and officers from the night shift were called in early.

Police temporarily shut down inbound Winchester Road at New Circle after 4 p.m. because the road needed to be salted and multiple collisions needed to be cleared.

The Kentucky Horse Park posted a statement on its web page, stating that Southern Lights was closed Saturday because of the bad weather. The holiday event will reopen Sunday, weather permitting.

All adult shelters were over capacity Friday night and were working to make room for more guests, the city’s Office of Homelessness Prevention and Intervention said in a news release Saturday.

The Salvation Army ran out of blankets and was asking for more, the Hope Center requested any type of men’s outerwear and the Community Action Council asked for snacks and premade meals for families staying in hotels.

Arbor Youth Services still had room for youths under 18 years old, the city said.

To report the needs of homeless people out in the cold, the city asks people to call the Catholic Action Center’s Compassionate Caravan at 859-913-0038 and leave details of the person’s exact location. The group follows up on all messages but does not always return calls.

Sunday should be mostly sunny, but gusty winds will make it feel colder than the high of about 37.

This story was originally published December 9, 2017 at 5:08 PM with the headline "Snow has motorists slipping and sliding; filled shelters need help."