‘Ice is dangerous.’ Lexington’s plan to handle roads, hazardous conditions in winter storm

As Lexington braces for a potential ice and snow storm, Lexington Mayor Linda Gorton urged residents to stay home and stay off the roads Thursday.

“Our message is simple,” Gorton said. “In an ice storm, if you can stay home and stay off the roads, please do. Ice is dangerous, and the frigid temperatures that are forecast will keep it around for several days.”

Lexington streets and roads crews will be working 12-hour shifts Thursday through Saturday. The city has received additional salt after multiple rounds of winter storms in January, Gorton said.

However, due to nearly 24 hours of rain, the city has not been able to pretreat roads.

Lexington Police Department has added additional officers Thursday to help with storm-related calls and to assist if there is widespread power outages, city officials said.

Police also reminded people that if an intersection loses power, motorists should treat it as a four-way stop.

If there are limbs in streets and sidewalks, residents should call 3-1-1, Gorton said.

The city has also expanded its shelter services for the homeless. Anyone who may need shelter should call Lexington Police at 859-258-3600, the non-emergency number, said Polly Ruddick, the director of the Office of Homelessness Prevention and Intervention.

City offices were closed Thursday and trash pick-up was canceled. A make-up day has not yet been announced.

In addition, the city closed a number of parks facilities and other city services including golf courses and shops:

• Dunbar Community Center
• Kenwick Community Center
• Castlewood Community Center
• William Wells Brown Community Center
• Kiddie Kapers and Dance Attack classes
• Artworks at the Carver School
• Brenda Cowan Elementary school performance at Pam Miller Downtown Arts Center
• Raven Run Nature Sanctuary
• McConnell Springs Park

Blue Grass Airport also canceled all of its remaining departing and arriving flights Thursday around 10:45 a.m.

This story was originally published February 3, 2022 at 1:22 PM.

Beth Musgrave

Lexington Herald-Leader

Beth Musgrave has covered government and politics for the Herald-Leader for more than a decade. A graduate of Northwestern University, she has worked as a reporter in Kentucky, Indiana, Mississippi, Illinois and Washington D.C. Support my work with a digital subscription