After 1st snow of season, Lexington and Kentucky expect more by Tuesday morning
Many Lexington and Central Kentucky residents woke up to the first accumulating snow of the season Monday.
Temperatures dropped into the low 30s, causing rain from Sunday night to turn to snow, which blanketed cars, yards and rooftops across Central Kentucky. More snow is expected to roll in Monday evening into Tuesday morning, according to the National Weather Service, which issued a winter weather advisory from 4 p.m. Monday to 7 a.m. Tuesday.
After roughly one inch accumulating early Monday, additional snowfall of up to two inches was expected in Central Kentucky. Up to 3 inches of snowfall was possible in Eastern Kentucky, according to National Weather Service offices. Larger accumulations were possible in higher elevations.
“Widespread” snow will hit Central and Eastern Kentucky Monday afternoon into Tuesday morning, according to Chris Bailey, chief meteorologist for WKYT, the Herald-Leader’s reporting partner.
“Winter has come to town, and we’re ready,” Mayor Linda Gorton said. “I am proud of our teams, who work so hard to keep our roads clear. We have the personnel available to do the job, and they are doing great.”
The Lexington Traffic Management Center advised drivers to “use added caution, slow down, and increase following distances.”
As of 2:30 p.m. Monday, Lexington police had responded to 17 non-injury collisions and two injury collisions, said Lexington Police Lt. Tommy Perkins.
Lexington Streets and Roads crews began treating bridges at 5 a.m. Monday. Crews will also treat roads overnight Monday into Tuesday morning, said Rob Allen, director of the city’s streets department.
The city has salt brine, rock salt and proprietary chemical additive in stock, Allen said during a Monday afternoon press conference.
“We have an adequate supply of salt between our two barns,” Allen said.
Environmental Quality and Public Works Commissioner Nancy Albright said the city will have enough drivers and employees to treat Lexington roads. A nationwide shortage of people with commercial driver’s licenses, who operate the city’s snowplows, and employees out due to COVID-19 has strained city resources.
In addition to treating roads, the city activated its Community Emergency Winter Weather Plan that helps ensure homeless residents find shelter. It’s in effect until Wednesday morning.
Polly Ruddick, the Office of Homelessness Prevention and Intervention director, said adult women and women with children who need shelter can go to the Salvation Army on Main Street. Men seeking shelter can go to the Hope Center on Loudon Avenue. The shelters have unique ways to house more people and allow for social distancing required during the pandemic. The Hope Center has added a new temporary structure and a large semi-truck to provide more space.
During the press conference, Ruddick asked residents to call 859-533-9199 if they see someone who may need shelter. That hotline will be answered until 10 p.m. If someone needs assistance after 10 p.m., call 859-494-0470. Those numbers go to street outreach teams who try to encourage people living outside to seek shelter as temperatures were expected to drop into the 20s over the next three days.
People who may need assistance but cannot seek shelter at the Salvation Army or the Hope Center due to medical problems or other issues should call 859-533-9199, Ruddick said.
This story was originally published November 30, 2020 at 10:44 AM.