Ice expected to get worse in Lexington. Snow, freezing rain to blast much of Kentucky
A significant amount of freezing rain was expected to move through Lexington and the southeastern portion of the state Wednesday night into Thursday, leaving ice on roads, bridges, trees and power lines before snow follows in some areas, according to the National Weather Service.
By late Wednesday night, thousands of power outages were reported across the state, and police in Lexington were beginning to receive reports of downed trees.
A quarter-inch to a half-inch or more of ice could be on the ground in Lexington and a large strip of Central, Southern and Eastern Kentucky by Thursday morning, according to National Weather Service meteorologist Ryan Sharp. That region was included in the weather service’s ice warning zone until 7 p.m. Thursday.
By the time the storm is done Thursday evening, Lexington could get up to three-quarters of an inch of ice, according to an updated Wednesday afternoon forecast from the National Weather Service.
In addition to the ice warning, the weather service issued a winter storm warning Wednesday afternoon for Crawford, Perry, Harrison, Floyd, Clark, Jefferson, Oldham, Henry, Shelby, Franklin and Scott counties. Those areas were expected to get up to an inch of snow and ice accumulations of up to a quarter-inch.
In northern Kentucky, a mixture of freezing rain, sleet and snow was expected, according to the National Weather Service. Some areas of northern Kentucky got up to 10 inches of snow earlier in the week, and residents on social media reported significant snowfall Wednesday evening.
Kentuckians asked to ‘hunker down.’ Ice causes power outages
By 9 p.m., thousands of outages had been reported among the 26 power co-ops represented by Kentucky Electric Cooperatives. The cooperatives have about 882,000 members.
LG&E and Kentucky Utilities reported more than 9,400 customers without power as of just after 10 p.m. The majority of those outages were in Louisville and the surrounding area.
During a press conference Wednesday afternoon, Gov. Andy Beshear urged Kentuckians to “hunker down for the next couple of days,” noting that most people have been doing that for the last year during the coronavirus pandemic.
The Kentucky National Guard was put on standby, ready to be called into action if necessary, Beshear said. Kentucky Emergency Management activated its State Emergency Operations Center early Wednesday.
Kentucky Utilities and Kentucky Power were monitoring weather conditions, and Kentucky Power had hundreds of workers on standby to respond.
Michael Dossett, executive director of the Kentucky Division of Emergency Management, said power outages could be sporadic and are not expected to cause as much trouble as the ice storm of 2009 did.
Beshear closed most state offices at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday and urged businesses to provide ample time for their employers to get home during rush hour Wednesday and Thursday morning.
The second act of the storm expected Wednesday night followed a bout of freezing rain that led to multiple crashes on Lexington and area roads in the morning. Then residents, officials and road crews prepared and waited for the next phase of the winter storm.
Lexington and KY road crews ready. Police, others prepare
Transportation Secretary Jim Gray said road crews were treating the state’s highways since early Wednesday. He said about 2,000 transportation employees and 1,024 pieces of equipment — along with 400 contractors — were working.
In Lexington, Rob Allen, director of streets and roads, said crews started at 4 a.m. Wednesday and they would be on duty throughout the winter storm to treat roads. The next 24 to 48 hours will be critical, Allen said. Forecasts show temperatures rising on Friday. Allen asked residents to avoid nonessential travel.
“Our top priority is to keep the public safe, especially in the event of power outages and ice-covered streets,” Mayor Linda Gorton said. “If you can do it, stay home. If you have to travel, use caution.”
Gorton announced later Wednesday that any city offices not involved in weather-related work would delay opening until 11 a.m. Thursday. City employees working from home were asked to start at their regular time.
There would also be no garbage pickup Thursday, the city said. Thursday’s pick-up will be done on Monday and Monday’s pickup will be done on Wednesday.
Lexington Police Chief Lawrence Weathers said officers will be working to assist stranded motorists and help get the homeless to shelters as needed. Lexington police also have multiple inverters that can be used to power traffic lights in case of power outages, he said.
The department will increase officers as needed.
“Units will be able to work beyond their shift or come in early if requested by the duty commander,” Weathers said.
Polly Ruddick, the director of Lexington’s Office of Homelessness Prevention and Intervention, said three street outreach teams were working to bring those living outside into the city’s shelter system. All the shelters have upped capacity. The Catholic Action Center and Community Action were also using hotel rooms to house people during the winter months, Ruddick said.
Hope Center, the city’s largest shelter for men, was waiting for the arrival of two additional sleeper trucks, which can be used to provide additional beds, Ruddick said. It also has a large outdoor warming tent on its Loudon Avenue property.
Anyone who needs shelter or sees someone who may be in need of shelter should call 859-533-9199, Ruddick said.
Reporters Jack Brammer and Karla Ward contributed to this story
This story was originally published February 10, 2021 at 11:40 AM.