Governor Andy Beshear declared a state of emergency ahead of a severe winter storm system that is expected to affect much of the Commonwealth.
The storm is forecasted to begin Sunday, January 5, bringing in snow, freezing rain, ice, and extreme temperatures.
The storm could cause widespread power outages, and freezing temperatures throughout the week, resulting in dangerous road conditions.
Beshear says the Kentucky National Guard stands ready to respond. In a weather update on Saturday, January 4, Beshear said he also activated the state’s emergency operations center and implemented the state’s price gouging laws to protect Kentuckians from overpriced goods and services during storm recovery. Cases of price gouging should be reported to the Office of the Attorney General.
Kentucky Emergency Management Director Eric Gibson urges Kentuckians to use caution when operating a generator. Gasoline- or diesel-fuel-powered generators should only be operated only in well-ventilated, covered, unheated areas. Operating one inside can produce potentially deadly levels of carbon monoxide.
Team Kentucky state highway crews have been monitoring weather conditions, and prepping equipment to clear snow and debris. Kentuckians are urged to avoid nonessential travel and to plan extra time for their Monday morning commute if they must travel.
Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) Secretary Jim Gray said their focus is to keep priority routes open, like interstates and parkways, before moving to other routes. Our force of state and contracted crews are ready and will be active. Motorists should exercise caution if they must be on the roads by driving distraction-free and slowing down.
Gray issued an official order aimed at maintaining supplies of propane, fuel, oil and kerosene. The order temporarily suspends certain drive times and weighs station restrictions on motor carriers engaged in transporting emergency relief supplies or involved in power restoration activities.
Kentucky Transportation Cabinet offers the following tips for drivers:
Give plows plenty of space on the roads, and increase your distance between you and the car ahead of you.
Avoid unessential travel.
If travel can’t be avoided, make sure you have an emergency car kit to keep yourself and other passengers safe for long hours.
Remember, roads often aren’t clear until after a storm passes, and bridges/overpasses freeze faster than roads.
Drive alert and slow down.
Treat dark traffic signals as a four-way stop.
Do not touch or drive over downed power lines.
Check traffic conditions at GoKy.ky.gov.
Source: WAVE
You must be logged in to post a comment.