Kentucky Winter Storm Briefing: Governor Beshear on Ice, Power Outages, and Safety Measures

Winter Storm Impact and Forecast

• ❄️ A major winter storm is impacting Kentucky with 36 hours of snow, sleet, and ice, accompanied by dangerously cold temperatures expected to last through next week.
• ⚠️ The forecast is proving treacherous, with more ice and less snow than predicted, making roads significantly more dangerous and difficult to treat.
• 📈 Power outages have begun to surge, particularly in the southern part of the state, increasing the need for resources and assistance.

Warming Centers and Emergency Resources

• 🏠 Over 112 warming centers are established across the Commonwealth, including at Kentucky State Parks, to provide shelter for those without power.
• 📞 A dedicated call center (502-607-665) is available for assistance with finding warming centers or other aid.
• 🛡️ The National Guard is deployed across 53 armories in 42 counties, conducting wellness checks and preparing for transports, while also assisting medical professionals.

Transportation and Road Conditions

• 🚗 Roadways and overpasses are slick and dangerous; travel is strongly discouraged unless absolutely necessary.
• 🚚 Over 1,500 state-owned and contracted plow trucks are deployed, utilizing 311,000 tons of salt and over a million gallons of brine for anti-icing.
• 🧊 Ice presents unique challenges, making it difficult to scrape off roadways and increasing the risk of refreezing, with significant travel impacts anticipated through Monday and potentially the rest of the week.

Critical Infrastructure and Safety

• ⚡ Power outages have surpassed 60,000, with priorities including ensuring hospitals and water systems remain operational through generators.
• ⚠️ Residents are urged to prepare weather safety kits, keep phones charged, and use generators at least 20 feet from homes to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.
• 🆘 Do not call 911 for road conditions; check snowky.ky.gov for traffic cams and updates, or call the unmet needs line (502-607-665) for assistance.

Community and Agency Response

• 🤝 A strong partnership between state and local agencies, including the National Guard, Division of Forestry, and utility companies, is crucial for response and restoration efforts.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Residents are encouraged to check on neighbors, especially seniors, and to be flexible with work arrangements if possible due to hazardous conditions.
• 🙏 The public's cooperation in staying home and off the roads is vital for allowing crews to work safely and efficiently.