Kentucky Snowfighting Crews Preparing for Weekend Winter Storm

Forecast winter storm could create snowy and potentially hazardous conditions across much of the commonwealth.

Photo by KYTC District 6.

(Frankfort, Ky.) - On Thursday, Gov. Andy Beshear announced that Team Kentucky state highway crews are preparing equipment, mobilizing resources and pretreating roads where possible ahead of a forecast winter storm that could create snowy and potentially hazardous conditions for travel across the state this weekend.

Kentuckians are encouraged to prepare now, avoid non-essential travel and exercise caution on the roads by slowing down and driving distraction-free. 

“We are facing some serious winter weather this weekend that will impact roadways, and Team Kentucky state highway crews are working hard to keep our roads as safe as possible for Kentuckians,” said Gov. Beshear. “The same way state highway crews have their plans in place, I want to encourage every Kentuckian to do the same by monitoring the weather, avoiding unnecessary travel and packing an emergency car kit.” 

National Weather Service forecasts show that widespread snow is possible across the state, with increased potential for icing across southern Kentucky raising the risk of slick roads and power disruptions. Temperatures well below freezing statewide are expected this weekend with single digit temperatures and sub-zero wind chills forecast into early next week.  

Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) highway crews are monitoring forecasts, preparing to deploy nearly 1,500 state-owned and contracted plow trucks, and ready to tap into their stockpile of 311,000 tons of salt and over 1 million gallons of brine for anti-icing efforts.  

“During winter storms, particularly when arctic temperatures are possible, our priority is safety,” said KYTC Secretary Jim Gray. “Crews will work to keep state highways passable and ensure access for emergency personal responding to downed power lines or other issues.”  

Preliminary transportation activities now taking place throughout the state include: 

• Pretreatment of roadways across districts, as conditions allow. 
• Statewide KYTC communication with Kentucky Emergency Management, Kentucky State Police, forestry officials and other partner agencies for potential resource requests.  
• KYTC Division of Equipment actively inventorying resources, including graders and other heavy equipment, to make sure they're ready and available depending on the upcoming weather forecast.  

• All highway districts and crews in each county actively preparing equipment and resources for the upcoming weather event.  

• A briefing with KYTC staff and the National Weather Service held Thursday morning to discuss forecasts and anticipated impacts.  

• Communicating and coordinating with the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) in case either state should experience closures of Interstate corridors in order to place messages on overhead message signs alerting the traveling public.  

• Maintaining most roads, streets and bridges that are part of the state highway system, including interstates, parkways and U.S. route designations, KYTC operates on a four-tier priority system to keep people and commerce moving in the most effective way possible. 

Road Safety and Preparation Tips for Kentuckians    
Kentucky drivers are valuable partners in ensuring highway safety, especially during severe weather events. KYTC encourages Kentuckians to monitor forecasts, avoid unnecessary travel when possible, pack an emergency car kit and, if you must travel during the storm, check your route before you go at GoKY.ky.gov. For your safety, make sure to take it slow and know what to do if power lines are down or signals aren’t working. 

Emergency Car Kit Suggested Items for Drivers 

• First aid kit 
• Extra coat, gloves, and blankets or sleeping bag 
• Non-perishable food and water 
• Baby formula, diapers, wipes 
• Flashlight with extra batteries 
• Portable phone chargers 
• Pet food, water, leash, bowl 
• Medications 
• Ice scraper and jumper cables 
• Shovel, and a bag of sand or litter 

What To Do if Traffic Signals Are Not Working: 

• Flashing yellow, proceed with caution 
• Flashing red, treat as a stop sign 
• No signal lights, treat as a 4-way stop 

What To Do When a Downed Power Line Is on the Roadway: 

• Never touch or drive over a fallen power line; report the issue to the power company. 
• If a power line has fallen on your vehicle, STAY INSIDE, do not exit, and call 911. 
• Assume all downed power lines are live and DO NOT attempt to move. 

Visit snowky.ky.gov for snow and ice resources, like priority route maps, traffic cameras, tips and highway district updates.