Beshear provides update and declares state of emergency on upcoming winter weather

FRANKFORT, Ky. (LEX 18) – Governor Beshear declared a state of emergency Saturday as a nasty winter storm heads to the Bluegrass.

A combination of ice, snow and freezing temperatures will persist for a few days, creating the opportunity for widespread power outages.

The state will have warming centers across the state to help those who may be without power.

“If we lose power starting Tuesday, especially for some of our most vulnerable Kentuckians, it will be cold enough to need one of these warming centers,” Beshear said.

The transportation office has been preparing for these types of conditions since the summer. About 1,400 snowplows and 2,300 crews will be working long hours to keep roads safe, but icy roads may slow their progress.

“This compromises the effectiveness of our chemical additives that are added to the salt. It doesn’t make them completely ineffective, but it compromises them. It will take longer to clear the roads and increases the likelihood of refreezing, especially after dark,” said Jim Gray, secretary of the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet.

Beshear said his team is using what they’ve learned from previous storms to prepare for this one.

“We have to work as hard as we can in the window we have before it gets too cold so that the salt works and works well when we talk about that window on Monday,” he said. “When the Transport Cabinet needs as many roads as possible. It is absolutely crucial that we can do everything we can. Our use of the National Guard ensures that we can reach people who find themselves in big traffic jams due to accidents. “

As preparations are made across the state, Governor Beshear wants to remind people how to stay safe during extreme weather conditions.

“The thing to remember is that you can always stay home,” he said. “If you have power. It’s the safest place for you while we ride something else that Mother Nature has thrown at us.”