County, State Crews Preparing For Winter Storm

An aerial view of the courthouse square after a snow. (Edmonson Voice file photo)

Darren Doyle, story and photo:
With the entire county under a winter storm warning, county and state road crews are preparing for anything that comes our way. 

The office of Edmonson County Judge/Executive Scott Lindsey is asking the public to limit travel during the weather event this weekend, if possible.

"Our State and County Road Crews will be working diligently to keep roadways as safe as conditions allow," Lindsey said in a statement. "You can help by avoiding unnecessary travel, which reduces the risk of accidents and allows crews to clear roads more efficiently. Staying off of the roads will also allow the Sheriff and his Deputies to be able to concentrate on Emergency Assistance."

Lindsey also noted that local dispatch has a non-emergency number that can be utilized when 911 is not necessary, which is 270-597-2729.

"There could be a high volume of calls coming into the dispatch office, so please direct all non-emergency calls to that number. If it is an emergency, please call 911."

For local state roads, (numbered highways) anti-icing operations ahead of the winter weather system began Thursday and will continue into Friday afternoon.

The National Weather Service Louisville has placed the entire area under the storm warning that is forecasted to begin overnight Friday and last through Monday. While the forecast keeps evolving, confidence remains high of major winter weather system moving through the area Saturday morning through Monday. While expected snow amounts keep changing, significant snowfall and icing are expected.

The District 3 office of the Kentucky Department of Transportation, which includes Edmonson County said in a statment today that major traffic impacts, even on main routes, should be expected with this winter weather system.

"The District 3 snow & ice team continues to monitor forecasts, and crews from each county are ready to deploy to plow and treat roads as needed," said KTC District 3. "People should prepare for the winter weather now and not wait until the system hits. Once the winter weather system moves into the area, travel may become very hazardous."

As of late Thursday afternoon, the National Weather Service is estimating between 4-10 inches of snow and sleet, along with up to one-third of an inch of ice accumulations possible.