Gov. Andy Beshear has declared a state of emergency ahead of an arctic front that is expected to bring a flash freeze and brutally cold temperatures along with four to six inches of snow to Grayson County.
The winter storm is expected to arrive Thursday night around 7:00 (based on the latest National Weather Service projections), and drop temperatures from the low-40s to near zero in a matter of a few hours.
Temperatures are forecast to remain well below freezing through the Christmas holiday and into early next week.
The front is expected to produce wind gusts of 40 to 50 mph on Friday and wind chills could reach -10 to -30 degrees on Saturday. The front is expected to negatively affect travel, and other impacts may include broken waterlines, power outages and damage to public infrastructure.
“Flash freeze is a big concern, and it will lead to dangerous road conditions,” Beshear said. “If you are traveling for Christmas, please plan to arrive at your destination by midday Thursday. After floods, tornadoes, ice storms and everything else we have faced, we don’t want to lose anyone to this weather front. Please make a plan and get prepared, and make a list of people you need to check in on, especially during this Christmas holiday.”
Grayson County Judge-Executive Kevin Henderson announced on Wednesday that a warming center will be open in Leitchfield.
“If anyone is unfortunate to lose power this weekend and is displaced, we will have a warming center available at the Old Judicial Building … The former female Detention Center on the ground level” Henderson said.
The building is located at 125 East White Oak Street.
Additionally, Henderson said “anyone who needs help” should call one of the following Grayson County Dispatch numbers: 270-259-0303; 270-259-2126; 270-259-2128; 270-259-3024; or 270-259-3850.
In an emergency, dial 911.
Henderson told K105 he will be out during the overnight hours of Thursday and into early Friday morning evaluating roadways and the effectiveness of snow/ice removal efforts. With temperatures forecast to be well below 20 degrees, many snow/ice removal tactics are rendered ineffective.
State response to winter storm, important websites, KSP tips
The governor activated the state’s price gouging laws to protect families from grossly overpriced goods and services. With the state of emergency in place, consumers in the commonwealth can report price gouging to the Office of the Attorney General and under state law, price gougers can be held accountable.
Kentucky Emergency Management (KYEM), the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, Kentucky State Police and Kentucky National Guard are all taking steps to prepare for the weather.
Weather preparedness information and tips are provided on the KYEM website.
KYTC Secretary Jim Gray said a fleet of 1,365 state-owned and contracted plow trucks are available to be deployed across Kentucky. The cabinet has stockpiled over 300,000 tons of salt, nearly one million gallons of brine for anti-icing efforts and more than one million gallons of calcium chloride, an additive to salt for deicing.
Visit snowky.ky.gov for snow and ice resources such as priority route maps, tips and highway district updates.
KSP has developed a list of items motorists should place in their vehicles before the weather sets in. This includes a winter weather kit with a cell phone charger, blankets, first-aid kit, jumper cables, windshield scraper, collapsible shovel, and a flashlight with extra batteries.
“Kentuckians, wear your seat belts, slow down, leave more space between cars and prep your car with the necessary supplies in the event you become stranded,” KSP Commissioner Phillip Burnett Jr. said “KSP and other emergency personnel are ready and available to respond during this upcoming winter storm, but we strongly encourage everyone to stay home when possible. If you must drive and experience a wreck or become stuck on the roadways, please be patient. Depending on the amount of winter weather the commonwealth receives and the number of roadway closures, emergency personnel may become very busy.”
In addition to the roadway reminders, KSP is asking citizens to refrain from dialing 911 to obtain road and weather conditions. KSP will use Facebook, Twitter and its website to share winter weather updates.
The Kentucky National Guard has begun pre-positioning assets to assist in rescues.
“Guardsmen will be activated ahead of the storm and stationed at several armories throughout the state,” Adjutant General of Kentucky Maj. Gen. Haldane Lamberton said. “The Joint Service Operations team in London will be on standby with an aircraft with hoists capabilities and the Special Tactics Squadron in Louisville will be on standby to provide emergency response capabilities.”
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com
