Live updates: Beshear declares state of emergency. Number of wrecks now tops 100.
The first big snow storm of the winter season arrived in Lexington just after 10 a.m. Thursday.
Four-to-six inches of snow is projected to fall in Fayette County throughout the day, according to the National Weather Service. The heaviest amount of snow is predicted to fall between 1-6 p.m.
Following the snow dump, temperatures could drop close to zero degrees Fahrenheit.
Here is the latest updates surrounding the storm.
University of Kentucky, Lexington and state close on Friday
7:40 p.m. Gov. Andy Beshear announced all state offices will be closed on Friday due to the snow and frigid temperatures. The city of Lexington also announced it would close all of its offices on Friday. Initially the city had announced a two-hour delay for Friday. Only city employees directly involved with snow removal and storm efforts will work Friday, city officials said.
Garbage pick up for Friday has been canceled. Friday pick ups will be made on Wednesday.
Beshear urged people to remain off the roads on Friday morning to give road crews time to remove the snow.
“All roadway surfaces will freeze. They are and will be extremely dangerous,” Beshear said. “I am closing all state office buildings with a public warning to stay off the roadways so roadway crews can continue plowing and clearing roads.”
The University of Kentucky will also close on Friday, university officials said. UK HealthCare hospital and clinics will be operating on normal schedules. Students scheduled to move in Friday will still be able to move in as scheduled, university officials said.
Motorists on I-75, stranded for hours, finally make it home
6:26 p.m. — Some motorists stuck on Interstate 75 southbound near the Clays Ferry Bridge said in social media posts shortly after 6 p.m. traffic had started to move again at that section of I-75 near the Fayette and Madison county lines.
Garrett Wymer, a reporter with WKYT-TV in Lexington, had been stuck just north of the Clays Ferry Bridge since before noon. That section of I-75 had been closed for hours due to multiple accidents, including several tractor trailers that had jackknifed. Wymer posted video on Twitter shortly after 6 p.m. showing the roadway starting to open.
“From @WKYT this morning it took us about seven hours and two minutes to cross the Clays Ferry Bridge, on I-75SB” Wymer wrote on Twitter. WKYT is the Lexington Herald-Leader’s reporting partner.
Father Jim Sichko, a Lexington-area priest, was stuck on I-75 for more than six hours in the Clays Ferry Bridge area. Sichko posted frequent Twitter updates throughout the afternoon. He finally got home around 7 p.m.
“I want to say a public thank you not only to the road workers and our emergency crews,” Sichko said in a video posted on Twitter. He also thanked Madison County officials, including Madison County Sheriff Mike Coyle, who phoned him frequently throughout the day to make sure he was okay and to reassure him emergency crews were working to get the interstate cleared.
“You should have seen the stalled vehicles lined up,” Sichko said.
Kentucky State Police also said in a Twitter post shortly after 7 p.m. that parts of north bound I-75 in Rockcastle County were now open but were still very slick.
Gov. Beshear declares state of emergency
5:45 p.m. — Gov Beshear declared a state of emergency after heavy snow blanketed much of the state, creating “dangerous” conditions across the state.
“We are urging Kentuckians to stay off the roads if possible,” Beshear said. “The weather we are continuing to see across Kentucky is dangerous.”
Beshear said Kentucky State Police and the Kentucky National Guard are helping clear roadways after multiple interstates and state roads saw traffic pile ups due to accidents. Search and rescue teams have also been activated to check on stranded motorists, Beshear said.
Kentuckians that want to check on road conditions can go to https://transportation.ky.gov/sites/snowky.
Fayette County Public Schools closed on Friday
5:23 p.m. — Fayette County Public Schools announced it will close schools on Friday due to the snow storm. Fayette County Public Schools was one of more than 40 Kentucky school districts to cancel schools Thursday.
I-75 near Clays Ferry still closed; I-64 in Montgomery County also closed
5 p.m. —I-75 near near the Clays Ferry Bridge on the Madison and Fayette county line is still closed after several tractor trailers jackknifed in that area, Kentucky Transportation Cabinet officials said. Transportation officials have asked people to avoid that area.
Also, Interstate 64 in Montgomery and Clark counties is still closed near mile marker 103. An incident involving multiple cars in the westbound lanes has stopped traffic in that area. Crews have closed the eastbound lanes so tow and other emergency vehicles can clear that accident site, transportation officials said.
Traffic accidents in Lexington now top 100
4:25 p.m. — Since 10 a.m., Lexington Police said they have recorded 101 non-injury accidents and 18 injury collisions. None of the injuries were life-threatening, police said.
A Lexington police officer was injured while responding to an accident on Jacks Creek Pike and Old Richmond Road. The officer was hit by a vehicle who could not stop, police said. The officer was able to drive himself to the hospital. His injuries were not life-threatening, police said.
In addition, the department has helped with 6 motorist assists and 18 traffic hazards. The department stopped taking non-injury accident reports around 3:30 p.m. due to the rapid uptick in accidents throughout the city.
City working to clear roads, Gorton says
4:15 p.m — Lexington Mayor Linda Gorton said in a Tweet streets and roads crews are working to clear Lexington roads. Heavy, continuous snow fall in a short period of time has made that very difficult.
“The team pretreated roads over the past two days. Snow is falling heavily & rapidly and we continue to treat & plow roads. Keeping roads clear at such a fast rate of falling & accumulating snow is very difficult,” Gorton said.
“Please be careful if driving… be slow, drive in your lower gear, and keep extra space between vehicles, Gorton said. ”If possible stay home, bring pets inside, and keep warm… temperatures are going to get bitterly cold overnight and tomorrow.”
Interstates in Lexington back open
4:10 p.m. — The Lexington Traffic Management Center has announced that I-75 and I-64 in Lexington are back open.
The roadways remain slick and slow-moving. Police are encouraging people to stay off the roads unless it’s necessary.
I-75 northbound in Lexington reopened
3:30 p.m. — Lexington police released a statement saying I-75 northbound has reopened.
The road was shutdown for approximately four hours due to multiple collisions and slick spots.
Lexington police temporarily suspending non-injury collision reports
3:05 p.m. — The Lexington Police Department has temporarily suspended reporting non-injury collisions in Fayette County, according to police.
Police said if you are involved in a non-injury collision with another vehicle, you should exchange the following:
- Insurance information
- Vehicle information, including license plate number & state, year, make and model
- License information for both drivers
Motorist should also try to collect the following information pertaining to the collision:
- The location and time of the collision.
- Photos of any damage. (Only take photos if you can do so safely)
- Citizens have 10 days to report the collision.
- Call your insurance company to let them know about the collision.
- Do not call the other driver’s insurance company.
Drivers can report non-injury collisions at this link. If you have already called for a non-injury collision report, police say you should call 859-258-3600 to cancel it.
Interstate in Lexington starting to reopen
3:04 p.m. — According to the Lexington Traffic Management Center, I-75 northbound near the 100 mile-marker has reopened.
The roadway was first reported to be shut down at noon.
Large accident reported on I-64 in Clark County
3 p.m. — I-64 westbound between mile-markers 110-101 will be shut down for several hours due to numerous accidents, according to Kentucky State Police.
Potential for black ice
2:57 p.m. — As snow continues to fall and temperatures drop heading into Thursday evening, Friday morning, the potential for black ice on Lexington’s roadways will increase, says the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet.
KYTC also wants to remind people about the Quick Clearance Law, which requires people who are not injured in a crash to move their vehicle to the shoulder or off of the interstate or parkway before calling police.
If you vehicle is disabled, KYTC says to:
- move your vehicle off the roadway if possible
- turn on emergency flashers
- to request aid --- tie something white or bright to your antenna or window or raise the hood
- if you are unable to move your vehicle from the roadway --- stand away from the vehicle
- keep your arms and legs moving to stay warm
Lexington police issues advisory to drivers stuck on interstate
2:45 p.m. — The Lexington Police Department has issued the following advisory to motorists stuck on the interstate.
“Lexington Police is currently working to reopen exit ramps blocked by collisions as quickly as possible. Please be patient as we continue to work on restoring Interstate travel.”
I-75 northbound in Rockcastle County reopened
2:39 p.m. — The northbound lanes of I-75 in Rockcastle County have reopened, according to the Lexington Traffic Management Center,
The roadway was first reported shutdown at roughly 12:30 p.m.
Lextran suspending service
2:25 p.m. — Lextran has announced that it’s temporarily suspending its services due to inclement weather.
I-75 southbound in Scott County closed
2:03 p.m. — I-75 southbound at the 138 mile-marker in Scott County has been shut down due to an overturned camper, according to the Lexington Traffic Management Center.
Traffic is using an emergency lane.
I-75 shut down in both directions
1:07 p.m. — Traffic on I-75 was shut down in both directions a little after 1 p.m. to allow road crews to work.
According to an advisory from @lexwrecks on Twitter:
- Police will be closing access to I-75 in Fayette Co between Exit 115/Newtown Pike and Exit 104/Athens Boonesboro to allow state crews to work.
- Traffic already on I-75 will be allowed to continue, but will not be allowed back on.
Access to I-64 in Fayette County has been closed as well, per @lexwrecks.
The storm has caused major headaches on roads throughout the region. At a news conference at 1 p.m, Lexington police said there have been 71 minor collisions and 12 injury collisions in the city so far.
I-75 in Rockcastle County shut down
1:39 p.m. — I-75 northbound near mile-marker 72 in Rockcastle County has been shut down due to multiple accidents, according to Kentucky State Police.
Trooper Scottie Pennington reported no serious injuries from the accident, but the road will be closed for “an extended period of time” while crews cleanup the wreckage.
Western Kentucky Parkway shutdown
1 p.m. — A sections of Western Kentucky Parkway eastbound at mile-markers 112 and 131 have been shut down, according to Kentucky State Police.
No injuries have been reported as of yet.
Fayette Sheriff’s Office activates Winter Care Program
12:57 p.m. — The Fayette County Sheriff’s Office has activated the transportation and prescription pickup portion of its Winter Care Program, according to Director of Public Affairs Scooter Stein.
The following services are available:
• Transportation to and from employment for those who are employed in the healthcare industry or professionals that provide direct healthcare services
• Transportation to and from a critical medical appointment
• Pick-up of critical prescription medications
• Welfare checks for our most vulnerable citizens
• Distribution of winter coats and blankets
Anyone in need of assistance during the storm is encouraged to contact the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office.
Gov. Andy Beshear warns people to stay off roads
12:50 p.m. — At his Team Kentucky press conference Thursday, Gov. Andy Beshear urged people who aren’t essential workers to stay off the road during the winter storm.
“As the snow ends, temperatures, which are already cold enough to cause ice are going to plummet Friday morning,” Beshear said. “We are urging Kentuckians to please not travel if you don’t have to today.”
For those who are traveling, the governor asked drivers to “please drive slowly,” give snow plows plenty of room on roadways, and to make sure their car is winter ready and to consider traveling with an emergency kit.
Eastern Kentucky prepares for storm
12:40 p.m. — Snow in Pike County is expected to begin Thursday afternoon, with four to eight inches expected. The county is still evaluating damage from Saturday’’s floods, which destroyed 12 homes and damaged 20 homes majorly and impacted 110 homes, mainly in Belfry and Big Creek.
Pike County Judge-executive Ray Jones said in a press conference Thursday some of the county’s residents are still in recovery mode from the flood and this week’s cold weather hampered clean up and the incoming winter weather will make it more difficult.
Pike County Emergency Management Deputy Director Nee Jackson said if the county gets eight inches of snow, he has concerns about more flooding on Sunday. Temperatures will still be below freezing Friday and temperatures will reach about 52 degrees on Sunday with 100% chance of rain expected.
Kentucky Power is prepared for the upcoming potential event, according to a statement Jones read.
More snow coming to Lexington
12:27 p.m. — Snow already covered Lexington in the later-morning hours on Thursday, and even more snow is coming in the afternoon, according to WKYT meteorologist Chris Bailey.
I-71 southbound in Louisville shut down
12:00 p.m. — A section of I-71 in Louisville near mile-marker 6.4 has been shut down due to a crash, according to TRIMARC.
Drivers are encouraged to detour on I-265 northbound or southbound.
Offices closing early
11:40 a.m. — Multiple facilities are closing early because of the snowfall blanketing the area Thursday.
According to the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, all state office buildings will close Thursday at noon. The University of Kentucky will also close its COVID-19 testing site on College Way at noon.
The Lexington-Fayette County Health Department also closed its doors at 11:30 a.m. Thursday morning.
I-75 northbound shut down for a report of a sheet of ice
11:25 a.m. — The northbound lanes of I-75 near mile-marker 102 have been temporarily shut down due to a collision involving a semi truck, according to the Lexington Traffic Management Center.
Lexington dispatch gave a report of a sheet of ice on the roadway.
Multiple accidents have been reported on the interstate. The southbound lanes are also barely moving, if at all.
Multiple tow trucks have been called for the area, per dispatch.
Part of Versailles Road shutdown
11:20 a.m. — The inbound lanes of Versailles Road near Lane Allen Road have been temporarily shutdown while police officers assess a wreck in the area.
NWS gives latest forecast
11:15 a.m. — Parts of western Kentucky along the Western Kentucky Partway could see the heaviest amounts of snowfall on Thursday, according to NWS.
The rate of snowfall in the area could be one-inch per hour, per NWS.
Interstates accumulating snowfall
10:50 a.m. — Reports of slick spots and snow-filled interstates are starting to come in as Thursday’s snow storm makes its initial impact.
Snow starts to appear
10 a.m. — Thursday’s snow storm is underway as reports of snowfall from Fayette County and surrounding areas start coming in.
This story was originally published January 6, 2022 at 11:35 AM.
