Dangerous Ice storm may hit the County
Photo by Voice Staff
District 8 has been preparing highway crews to respond to the weather system by loading salt, sharpening chainsaws and preparing for an extended weather response.
Voice Staff Report
The county and state highway departments are gearing up for a possible winter ice/snow event expected to hit the County between Wednesday night and Friday morning. The outlook for McCreary County from Jackson Weather Service is an ice storm warning effective from 1 a.m. Thursday to 7 a.m. Friday morning with significant icing expected in places. Total ice accumulations of a quarter to a half inch are forecast with locally higher amounts possible. Little snow accumulation is expected from this storm but dangerously low temperatures will follow into the weekend.
The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet District 8 issued a statement advising motorists to avoid unnecessary travel during this winter event. District 8 has been preparing highway crews to respond to the weather system by loading salt, sharpening chainsaws and preparing for an extended weather response. Locally, state highway trucks have been loaded with salt and are prepared to respond. District 8 includes Adair, Casey, Clinton, Cumberland, Lincoln, McCreary, Pulaski, Rockcastle, Russell and Wayne counties. For real-time traffic information or to keep up with state snow fighters in the county, visit http://GoKy.ky.gov or go to their Facebook or Twitter pages.
Stephen McKinney, Emergency Management Director, said state and local road crews were on standby and ready to respond to road issues. He also stated that if your power goes off it is not an emergency and do not call 911 but call your electric company unless there is someone in the house on home oxygen or have other medical issues.
Predictions of ice accumulation for the State north, west and east of McCreary could be catastrophic, bringing down power lines, trees and making travel extremely hazardous if not impossible. Motorists are strongly discouraged from travel and if you must travel to keep an extra flashlight, food and water in your vehicle in case of emergency. People are also encouraged to prepare for possible power outages.
