As Kentucky braces for ice storm, take a look at record-breaking weather from past 25 years
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Lexington prepares for winter storm
Approximately 0.25-0.5 inches of ice is expected to blanket Lexington as well as parts of western and northern Kentucky.
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Kentucky residents may have been reminded of historically-damaging ice storms in past years and decades while preparing for this week’s storm, which could bring ice accumulations varying from one-tenth of an inch up to half an inch or more.
Kentucky is no stranger to ice events, as previous winter storms have spelled disaster: The record-setting 1998 winter storm brought up to 22 inches of snow in central and Eastern Kentucky. Ten people were killed due to the storm. Roofs collapsed and interstate traffic couldn’t move, with backups up to 50 miles long. The majority of Kentucky’s counties declared a state of emergency.
About 146,000 people lost power in a February 2003 ice storm which featured 1-inch ice accumulations in Lexington and Frankfort. It was a storm which caused one person to die when an ice-covered tree limb fell on them, according to the National Weather Service. Others died after trying to trim trees near power lines, according to the state public service commission.
The 2009 ice storm was considered the No. 1 most significant local weather event from 2000 to 2009, according to the National Weather Service in Louisville. Up to 6 inches of snow accumulated before rain and freezing rain caused ice accumulations greater than 1 inch in some areas. An additional 3 or 4 inches of snow accumulated in some areas.
The storm caused Kentucky’s largest recorded power outage, with 609,000 homes and businesses losing power.
Winter storms across Kentucky in February 2021 led to a hypothermia death and fatal traffic accidents. Power outages around the state eclipsed 150,000 as ice was followed by heavy snow accumulations. About half an inch of ice accumulated in Fayette County before snow fell overtop of it.
Photos and videos show the damage and impact which past winter storms have had on the state. Take a look below:
This story was originally published February 3, 2022 at 4:26 PM.
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