State ‘Snowfighters’ in Northeast Kentucky Preparing for Icy Winter Storm
Salt loaded, plows prepped; public travel not advised
FLEMINGSBURG, Ky. (5 PM, Feb. 2, 2022) – Kentucky Transportation Cabinet snowfighters in northeast Kentucky have plow and salt trucks ready as an ice-laden winter storm approaches the region.
The National Weather Service expects the storm’s freezing rain, sleet, snow, and Arctic temps will create “difficult to impossible travel conditions” Thursday through Friday.
“Our crews will do everything possible to keep roadways passable, but we advise everyone who can do so to stay off the road,” said Transportation Secretary Jim Gray.
Today, Kentucky Department of Highways District 9 crews in Bath, Boyd, Carter, Elliott, Fleming, Greenup, Lewis, Mason, Nicholas, and Rowan counties got equipment ready – loading road salt, putting chains on plow trucks, and fueling up chainsaws. Because of rain, pre-treatment of roads was impossible.
By noon Thursday, all crews will start 12-hour winter weather duty shifts and will have salt and plow trucks ready to roll when freezing precipitation hits state highways in each county.
Forecasters say a wintry mix will spread northwest to southeast through the region shortly after noon, followed by below-freezing temperatures. Ice storm and winter storm warnings have been issued.
Salt trucks and plow crews will begin treating highways with salt as soon as any freezing precipitation starts to fall – to help reduce ice formation. However, the storm is expected to bring continuous precipitation Thursday and overnight into Friday, and the falling ice, sleet, or snow will accumulate behind plows and between plow passes. In addition, ice could cause fallen trees, and crews might have to cut trees to keep clearing roads.
Snowfighters will do all they can to keep highways passable, but travel conditions could deteriorate quickly Thursday. It’s likely roads will not be clear until after the storm passes.
The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet says crews are as prepared as they can be, and asks that the public prepare, too, with four specific requests:
- Limit travel to what’s necessary when snow and ice are on the roads;
- Give snow plows and crew members plenty of room on the road;
- Ensure personal vehicles are winter ready, with the recommendation of keeping an emergency kit in vehicles; and
- Mask up to slow the spread of COVID-19 and help protect against the quarantine of plow crews essential to roadway treatment.
Stay up to date by visiting SnowKy.ky.gov for snow and ice information and GoKY.ky.gov for traffic and roadway information.
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