‘It is best not to travel.’ Rain, low temperatures could cause ice on Kentucky roads
Central Kentucky roads could have hazardous ice on them again Sunday night and Monday morning, just days after the region saw heavy snowfall and frequent traffic collisions.
The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet warned Sunday that temperatures in the region are expected to drop into the 20s beginning Sunday evening after heavy rain. “Residual water” left on roads from the rainfall could freeze, the transportation cabinet said.
“It is best not to travel if at all possible,” the transportation cabinet said in a news release. “If you must drive, plan to allow additional time and drive slowly to reach your destination. This is especially important for Monday morning commuters.”
The hazardous conditions warning came from District 7 of the transportation cabinet, which covers Fayette, Anderson, Bourbon, Boyle, Clark, Gerrard, Jessamine, Madison, Mercer, Montgomery, Scott and Woodford counties.
Gov. Andy Beshear also advised Kentucky residents to avoid non-essential travel.
“It’s tempting to think the danger has passed because rising temperatures and rain this weekend have combined to rapidly melt snow and ice from our roadways,” Beshear said Sunday in a news release. “Unfortunately, temperatures are expected to drop dramatically this evening, overnight and into Monday morning.
“The result will be flash freezing and the onset of ‘black ice’ that will make driving difficult. The snow may be nearly gone, but the need for extreme caution remains. Avoid nonessential travel.”
Transportation cabinet personnel and contractors were planning to monitor and patrol roads as necessary starting Sunday, the transportation cabinet said.
“Salt will be utilized as required to treat asphalt,” the transportation cabinet said. “Frozen ice causes tree branches and limbs to fall. Crews will be checking for this and will make use of chainsaws for trimming and removing brush.”
The transportation cabinet also warned drivers about black ice forming on previously-treated roads.
Transportation Secretary Jim Gray said the conditions presented “several challenges for our highway crews.”
“These ‘whiplash temperatures’ combined with rain can cause slopes along roadways to become unstable, and rock slides are the result,” Gray said in a news release.
The National Weather Service’s forecast indicated temperatures could drop below 20 degrees Sunday night into Monday morning. High temperatures could get back above freezing during the day Monday. Along with hazardous driving conditions, the National Weather Service indicated that flooding could be a problem too.
“This rainfall combined with melting snow could produce localized minor flooding issues in spots,” the National Weather Service said on its website.