‘All hands on deck.’ Lexington mayor declares emergency Sunday for Winter Storm Blair

Lexington Mayor Linda Gorton declared a state of emergency Sunday in light of a winter storm that was expected to dump substantial snow, ice and rain in the area Sunday and Monday.

Gorton has also activated the city’s emergency operations center and moved all public safety workers to 24-hour shifts until Thursday.

“I’m putting all hands on deck,” Gorton said. “This emergency declaration fully mobilizes our public safety resources to help residents handle the severe weather we are experiencing.”

The declaration of an emergency can trigger a requirement that cars parked on snow evacuation routes, which are many of the city’s main roadways, be moved. However, Gorton said the emergency declaration does not require residents to move vehicles at this point.

Still, Gorton encouraged residents not to park on city streets.

“Residents can help our street crews get the streets cleared by not parking on snow emergency routes,” the mayor said.

There were multiple accidents on Lexington streets during Sunday’s initial snow fall.

Between 5 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Sunday, the Lexington Police Department responded to 30 non-injury collisions, 10 injury collisions, 11 traffic hazards and 40 calls for motorist assistance, according to city officials.

The city began pre-treating roadways Friday in advance of the storm. The city has plenty of personnel and salt to treat roads, said Rob Allen, director of the city’s streets and roads department.

Gov. Andy Beshear also declared a state of emergency Saturday. Much of the state is expected to receive snow, ice and rain Sunday night into Monday afternoon. State of emergencies can trigger additional resources and help cities and states collect federal disaster money.

Moving Lexington’s unhoused indoors

Lexington began working Thursday with its nonprofit homeless providers to identify and find people who are living outside, said Charlie Lanter, commissioner of Housing Advocacy and Community Development.

As of Friday, the city had housed 164 people in various hotel rooms throughout the city.

The city’s main shelters — the Hope Center, the Salvation Army and Catholic Action Center — have also expanded hours and capacity. Some shelters require individuals to leave the shelter in the morning. During the storm, people will be able to remain at the shelters 24-hours a day, Lanter said.

Residents and others who see someone who may need shelter should call LexCall, the city’s main telephone number, at 3-1-1 during normal business hours. After business hours, people should contact the city’s street outreach teams at 859-551-8053 or 859-556-1870.

Residents are also encouraged to check on neighbors and family, particularly the elderly over the next 48 hours, city officials have said.

This story was originally published January 5, 2025 at 2:39 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