In real time, western Kentucky is turning into a winter wonderland — and that transformation began early this morning for all of the News Edge listening area.
Justin Gibbs, forecaster for the Paducah National Weather Service office, said “everything remains on track” — with heavy precipitation forming in Arkansas and Tennessee, and headed this way.
Ice, sleet and freezing rain, he added, all remain as key concerns — especially at the KY/TN state line.
Gibbs urges that it will be “dangerously cold” over the next week, with the coldest conditions forecasted Sunday night and Monday night. The next seven days won’t be above freezing, and he called this an “extremely unusual period” of cold for the region.
David Bryant, Trigg County Emergency Management Director, said that as of 8 this morning, more than ½ inch to one inch of snow was already on the ground in the area. Salt was working “some,” but it’s so cold that it isn’t effectively activating.
Brandon Calhoun, Trigg County Road Supervisor, said he and his crews hit some main routes and state routes earlier this morning, and that Sunday will be reserved for secondary and tertiary roads.
However, Trigg County has more than 440 miles of just county roads, and that does not include city and state highways, and one must double that in order to appropriately clean each lane.
By the time his crews finish this week, they will have traveled thousands of miles.
Craig Oakley, Cadiz Public Works Director, reaffirmed they put brine down on all streets to get ahead of the mess, and then ran again this morning applying a thin layer of salt.
The city has four trucks running with two crews, moving around the clock until fallen precipitation ends late Sunday and early Monday.
Randy Graham, Christian County Emergency Management Director, said warming shelters are open in and around Hopkinsville, and those needing help can call 270-890-1300.
Todd County Emergency Management Director Ash Groves is among the many trying to push the message of “staying home” unless “absolutely necessary, and their county road department opened the day by treating trouble spots around Clifty, Elkton and Guthrie.
Governor Andy Beshear offered an update on the Kentucky National Guard this morning, and announced Guard members are now across the state at 52 armory locations.
Members will start making rounds in local communities today to check on folks and prepare. Teams are preloading near areas expected to receive increased ice accumulations.
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