‘We are ready.’ Lexington says it has enough salt, staff for latest winter storm
As Fayette County and Central Kentucky brace for a third round of snow in less than three weeks, Lexington Mayor Linda Gorton said Wednesday the city’s snow removal crews are poised and ready but asked citizens to remain off roads if possible.
“We are heading into a third snow in 13 days,” Gorton said. “We are ready.”
Gorton stressed citizens can help by staying off the road.
“We are encouraging our residents to stay off the road if possible,” Gorton said. Check on elderly neighbors. Keep your pets indoors, she said.
Rob Allen, director of streets and roads, said COVID-19 has affected staffing of snow plows but said staff from other divisions have volunteered to help out including employees from Waste Management and Parks and Recreation.
“The big concern is a light glaze of ice,” Allen said. “It’s not projected to be an ice storm. We don’t have a concern with power lines and trees; it’s more so with road conditions.”
In addition, the city has ordered and it will receive an additional shipment of salt, Allen said. The city has been able to top off its two salt barns after each storm, he said.
A private contractor the city pays to help augment city crews when the city gets substantial snow accumulation is available to help with snow removal, Allen said.
Due to a supply chain snafu and lack of parts, Red River Ranch could not help the city plow streets when nearly 10 inches of snow blanketed city streets on Jan 6. Red River contractors were available to help clear streets during last weekend’s storm, Allen said.
Those drivers plow many of the larger streets such as Man O’ War Boulevard, Allen said. Four drivers will be available Wednesday night, he said.
Lexington Fire Department Chief Jason Wells also warned that ice can cause people to slip and fall. Wells said the city has seen a dramatic increase in house and apartment fires in January. The department has responded to 12 significant fires so far this month. It’s important that people use approved heating devices and not to use alternative heating sources.
“This is a great time to remind people to make sure you have working smoke alarms,” Wells said.
Lexington police will be monitoring the interstates and city streets to assist motorists, Lexington police officials said Wednesday.
“Please slow down approaching intersections, off ramps and bridges and areas that do not get direct sunlight. These areas can become very slippery as the temperatures drop,” said Lexington Police Chief Lawrence Weathers. “Please allow extra times for commutes and allow extra distance between yourself and other vehicles. Be patient and use caution while driving.”
Weathers also asked that people not call 9-1-1 to ask about weather conditions. Go to @Lexwrecks on Twitter to find information on road and weather conditions. 9-1-1 should be reserved for emergencies, he said.
Polly Ruddick, the director of the office of Homelessness Prevention and Intervention, said the city has activated its emergency sheltering program. The forecasts calls for single digits into Thursday and Friday, which is especially dangerous for people who live outside and may already be wet due to Wednesday night’s rain and snow.
LexTran is providing free rides to any of the city’s shelters.
“We have already worked on several cases today,” Ruddick said of unsheltered people who need help.
Ruddick asked that if people see someone in need, please call the police non-emergency number at 859-258-3600.
The National Weather Service in Louisville has issued a winter storm advisory for much of Central Kentucky starting at 7 p.m. Wednesday evening and continuing into the early morning hours on Thursday. The snow accumulation could be anywhere between one to two inches and could be higher in some places. Thursday’s morning commute is expected to be treacherous, weather forecasters warn.
WKYT meteorologist Jim Caldwell is predicting three to six inches in some parts of Fayette County.
Wednesday evening’s expected snow fall is the third snow storm since Jan 1. The Jan. 6 storm dumped 9.9 inches of snow in parts of Fayette County. A Sunday storm dropped around 2 inches.
