Courtesy of Kentucky Lantern
Kentucky officials are investigating three deaths that may be related to the weekend’s severe snow and ice.
In a Monday morning press conference, Gov. Andy Beshear said at least one fatality may be a result of running a generator indoors. That afternoon, he confirmed the death of a 72-year-old woman from Whitley County because of hypothermia.
“Check on your neighbors, just make sure they’re OK,” the governor said. “What a good time to live out the parable of The Good Samaritan. All it takes is a phone call or knocking on their door, just see if they’re all right.”
Beshear also emphasized that Kentuckians should use caution when shoveling snow, as the activity can increase risk of heart attacks. Last year, six Kentuckians died while shoveling snow.
Over the weekend, Kentucky was blanketed with snow and ice, making roads hazardous and causing power outages. Beshear said the state was down to 47,123 power outages from 73,590 at the height of the storm Sunday.
For the week ahead, Kentucky is forecasted to have extremely cold temperatures. Beshear said that wind chills as low as negative 20 degrees statewide are expected.
“Tomorrow morning is going to be the worst. It is going to be dangerously cold,” the governor said. “Tomorrow morning being outside for just 10 to 30 minutes could result in hypothermia or frostbite, so we need everyone to take precautions.”
The Kentucky General Assembly had canceled its meetings Monday because of the weather. All eight of Kentucky’s public universities canceled classes or moved to online instruction options.
Beshear said in his briefing that while all Kentucky counties had “major impacts,” Barren, Pulaski, Allen and Monroe counties were among the hardest hit by the storm.
A few hundred Kentuckians are being sheltered, the governor added, and that number is being updated as more people are transported to assistance. About 150 people were evacuated from London hotels without power. Some guests were also evacuated from Barren River State Park.
Secondary roads across the state were “still impassable,” as of Monday morning, Beshear said. While interstates had “significant process,” he continued, drivers should slow down while traveling..
Transportation Cabinet Secretary Jim Gray said a tractor-trailer had jackknifed on I-75 southbound near Clays Ferry Bridge, which is between Madison and Fayette counties. Information on injuries was not immediately available.
“Our focus today is on priority routes, crossovers, ramps, turn lanes and secondaries,” Gray said of the road crews’ plans for Monday. “We’re taking advantage of what sunlight we have before the onset of this bitter and brutal cold tonight.”
On Saturday, President Donald Trump declared a state of emergency for several states, including Kentucky, due to the weather. Beshear declared a state of emergency for Kentucky Friday.
In light of the weather, Attorney General Russell Coleman’s office is taking reports of suspected price gouging at its hotline, 1-888-432-9257, or online.
Kentuckians should call 911 in emergencies or life-threatening situations. If someone has immediate needs that aren’t life-threatening, like little to no heat or phone issues, they can complete the online Rapid Needs Assessment Form or call 502-607-6665.
The Disaster Distress Helpline, available by call or text at 1-800-985-5990, can aid anyone in the U.S. struggling with distress or other mental health concerns related to any natural or human-caused disaster. It is a 24/7, year-round, confidential crisis counseling resource.
The Kentucky Emergency Management website has updated information about local warming centers, including some state parks.
Kentucky Lantern is part of States Newsroom, the nation’s largest state-focused nonprofit news organization.
