Updated: Ice storm warning issued. Forecasts evolve as Kentucky braces for storm
As predictions evolve about the potential for significant ice accumulations, Lexington is on the northern edge of the region that could see a quarter of an inch or more.
The National Weather Service’s Louisville office issued an ice storm warning for the southern half of the state and some Central Kentucky counties, including Fayette, Jessamine, Woodford and Madison. The warning is in effect from 1 a.m. Wednesday until 7 p.m. Thursday.
“Significant ice accumulations are expected across much of central Kentucky, mainly along and just south of the Western Kentucky and Bluegrass Parkways Wednesday and Wednesday night, and then expanding into south central Kentucky Wednesday night and Thursday,” the weather service said.
“To the north of the parkways, a mixture of mainly sleet and snow is expected, though some icing will be possible on Wednesday. There still remains a bit of uncertainty on the northward extent of the most significant icing.”
“Travel could be nearly impossible,” the weather service said.
Ice accumulations between a quarter of an inch and three-quarters of an inch were possible in the area, the weather service’s forecast said
Lexington is on the northern edge of that swath, and most recent projections show that the higher end of the accumulations will be further south in areas like Richmond, National Weather Service Meteorologist Evan Webb said.
The forecast is subject to change, Webb said.
Light freezing rain which began Tuesday night was likely to continue Wednesday morning, but the significant accumulations were expected to start Wednesday afternoon and into Wednesday night, Webb said.
Ice endangers drivers, trees, power lines, homeless
On Wednesday, WKYT Chief Meteorologist Chris Bailey wrote that the “first wave” of sleet, freezing rain, rain and snow had begun working its way across Kentucky. He previously wrote that it “would be enough to take out some tree branches and cause power outages. It would be a good idea to have a plan in case you lose power.
“The greatest threat for a true ice storm continues to be across the southern half of the state,” Bailey wrote. “That’s where the heaviest freezing rain sets in tonight into Thursday.”
Bailey previously wrote that hard-to-reach power lines and grids could cause problems if power outages occur in southern parts of the state.
Bailey also noted that the forecasts were likely to change as winter weather gets closer. “Anytime we are dealing with 4 different precipitation types, things get super tricky in terms of amounts and placement,” Bailey wrote.
At Kentucky Utilities, workers are closely monitoring the forecast, spokeswoman Natasha Collins said.
“That’s what we always do in the event that we’ve got a weather system coming our way,” Collins said.
While KU is prepared for extreme conditions, ice poses unique challenges for crews and could make resolving power outages more difficult, Collins said. The company will prioritize workers’ safety as they deal with any issues.
If conditions cause significant problems, KU is ready to ask for help from business partners, including contract line technicians and contract workers who can help with trees on lines, Collins said.
The company also released a set of safety guidelines Tuesday that included a reminder to stay away from downed power lines and to monitor the company’s power outage map at lge-ku.com/outages.
Kentucky Power, which serves about 165,000 customers in 20 Eastern Kentucky counties, announced Tuesday that almost 220 additional workers were being called in to assist with any outages.
The company advised people to charge all of their devices, have nonperishable foods and keep extra water for drinking and cooking.
In a release, Lexington’s Streets and Roads asked drivers to avoid being out on the roads on Wednesday, when there are expected to be slick conditions and reduced visibility. The department also announced that crews would be working to treat roads throughout the storm. The city received 3,000 pounds of rock salt Tuesday and is “well-stocked” in brine for road treatment.
The city will update road closures, accidents and lane blockages on Twitter at @lexwrecks and @lexkypolice.
Kentucky State Police released a video Tuesday to give safety advice for drivers who might encounter black ice during the storm. KSP spokesman Sgt. Billy Gregory advised people to wear their seat belts and fully clear windows and lights of snow or ice before driving. Gregory also advised against assuming any vehicle can safely navigate ice. Drivers who do hit ice should keep a straight wheel, let off the gas and avoid slamming on the brakes or turning the wheel, Gregory said.
In Lexington, the LFUCG Office of Homelessness Prevention and Intervention announced that it had extended the activation of the Community Emergency Winter Weather Plan until Friday, which provides enough shelter capacity for anyone “willing to accept shelter.”
The office asks anyone who needs emergency shelter or sees someone who needs emergency shelter to call 859-533-9199 before 10 p.m. or 859-494-0470 between 10 p.m. and 8 a.m. The Hope Center Warming Shelter is open for men over 18, and the Salvation Army is open for women and children.
COVID-19 vaccine sites close
The regional COVID-19 vaccination site at the Kentucky Horse Park will be closed Thursday, as will regional vaccination centers in Bowling Green and Covington, Gov. Andy Beshear said Tuesday afternoon. People who have appointments for a first dose of the vaccine will have their appointments automatically rescheduled for no later than next week, Beshear said in a news conference.
The University of Kentucky had planned to keep its COVID-19 vaccination site open Wednesday, but changed that decision early Wednesday morning. The site was closed Wednesday, but no decision was announced about Thursday.
The Lexington-Fayette County Health Department was carrying on with its scheduled vaccine clinic Wednesday, which was expected to administer second-time doses to previous patients and a small number of first-time doses.
The health department was working with Lexington Emergency Management to monitor the forecast and ultimately decided to close the clinic early at 3 p.m.
Walkways were being salted and cleared regularly to help people get to the clinic. Once the clinic made the decision to close early, people who were scheduled for an appointment and still wanted to come were asked to arrive early regardless of their appointment time. Anyone who couldn’t make it would be contacted to reschedule, according to the health department.
At least one county health department, Woodford County Health Department, announced Tuesday that it would be canceling appointments ahead of the predicted weather. The health department said in the announcement that anyone who needed to reschedule would be contacted.
Herald-Leader reporters Bill Estep and Karla Ward contributed to this report.
This story was originally published February 9, 2021 at 1:35 PM.
