No heat? Lexington, KY state parks offer sheltering options for winter storm
A wind chill warning is in effect for Fayette County and across much of Kentucky starting at 10 p.m. Thursday evening and lasting until Friday at 1 p.m., according to the National Weather Service.
Wind chills in Lexington are expected to reach as low as minus 28 degrees Fahrenheit, and near or below zero wind chills will linger in the area through Sunday.
If you find yourself without heat or shelter, it’s crucial to seek safety at a warming center near you. In declaring a state of emergency Wednesday, Gov. Andy Beshear said he’d reached out to officials in each Kentucky county and asked them to establish at least one warming center.
If you can’t make it to one of those local warming centers, Beshear also announced several state parks are also taking people in.
Here’s a list of warming shelters to help you find one near you.
Warming centers in Lexington/Fayette County
Jeff Herron, who directs the Lexington office of Homelessness Prevention and Intervention, told the Herald-Leader by email there are options for the unhoused.
“Regarding warming centers, there is presently only one operating within the homelessness response system,” he wrote.” “Catholic Action Center and Lighthouse Ministries are offering an overnight warming center at 190 Spruce Street. The warming center is open each evening from 6:30 p.m. to 8 a.m.
“No beds are available as this is not an emergency shelter, but individuals can access a safe, warm place during overnight hours,” Herron continued.
He added that volunteers are on-site and offer information about available community resources.
“They are not presently publishing a phone number for this resource. It is open to all individuals over 18,” Herron wrote.
Lexington’s emergency winter weather plan is available online.
In a news release Thursday, the city said it was prepared to protect the unhoused from the brutal cold. Those efforts include Street Outreach, which is mobilizing.
Street Outreach is available at 859-576-4194 or 859-556-1870.
Lexington police will also patrol areas where unhoused people gather, including parks, bus stops and business entryways. Officer patrols will also extend to New Circle Road and the interstate. People can also call the Lexington Police Department non-emergency line at 859-258-3600 to report someone who may need help, per the release.
The city said it partnered with local agencies for additional beds at shelters, but it wasn’t immediately clear what the alternatives were for the overnight warming center at 190 Spruce Street.
“We think we have adequate space for everyone, but if not, the city backs up shelters with emergency hotel rooms, when needed,” Charlie Lanter, commissioner of housing advocacy and community development, stated in the release.
Asked in an email Thursday if the city had other options beyond the overnight warming center at 190 Spruce St., Lexington spokesperson Susan Straub said the city is focused on the unhoused.
“Our resources are focused on people experiencing homelessness, and so we do not have a general community warming center. Through years of experience we have learned that community warming centers aren’t used here. We have many other types of facilities that are more comfortable for people, and we have resources available to respond to emergencies. The Division of Emergency Management is prepared to activate a larger community-wide shelter should conditions require it,” Straub wrote.
Kentucky state parks
Warming centers are available at the following state parks:
Barren River Lake Resort Park, Barren County
Blue Licks Battlefield State Resort Park, Nicholas County
Buckhorn Lake State Resort Park, Perry County
Carter Caves State Resort Park, Carter County
Cumberland Falls State Resort Park, Whitley County
Dale Hollow Lake State Resort Park, Cumberland County
General Butler State Resort Park, Carroll County
Greenbo Lake State Resort Park, Greenup County
Jenny Wiley State Resort Park, Floyd County
Kenlake State Resort Park, Marshall County
Kentucky Dam Village, Marshall County
Lake Barkley State Resort Park, Trigg County
Lake Cumberland State Resort Park, Russell County
Natural Bridge State Resort Park, Powell County
Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park, Hopkins County
Pine Mountain State Resort Park, Bell County
Rough River State Resort Park, Grayson County
This story may be updated.
Do you have a question about Kentucky weather for our service journalism team? We’d like to hear from you. Fill out our Know Your Kentucky form or email ask@herald-leader.com.
This story was originally published December 22, 2022 at 1:00 PM.