Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear on Monday advised Kentuckians to be “weather aware” as the state faces below-zero wind chill, icy roads and snow in some regions over the next 48 hours.
In Northern Kentucky, only a slight chance of snow is forecast for NKY through Wednesday. But sub-zero wind chill temperatures are expected in the region. The National Weather Service is currently forecasting wind chill temperatures as low as -4 degrees on Monday night with an air temperature of nine degrees.
Temperatures in the teens are forecast Tuesday with the wind chill staying below zero for both Tuesday night and Wednesday.
Exposure to sub-zero temps can cause frostbite – or damage to skin tissue – in 30 minutes or less, Beshear reminded viewers. He advised parents statewide to make sure their children are “bundled up” when going outside while current conditions persist.
“Be ready Tuesday and Wednesday morning to cover up, wear more than you normally would, make sure that your kids are really bundled up,” the governor said. “It may take until Thursday to get above freezing.”
As of 4:30 p.m. Monday, no schools in Boone, Campbell, or Kenton counties had announced Tuesday school closings or delays. School districts across the state “need to be watching those wind chills very carefully” when making a decision about whether or not to have school, said the governor.
At least two warming shelters are expected to be open in NKY for those who need emergency shelter. One is the Emergency Shelter of NKY, which announced early Monday on Facebook that it is providing free hot showers, a warming center, and an overnight shelter for 68 adults on MLK Day.
“Friends, it’s SIX (6!) DEGREES OUTSIDE, and we will remain open all day and night – that’s Life Saving, Life Changing,” according to the shelter’s Facebook page.
Welcome House, based in Covington, is also helping those in need of emergency shelter. The organization headquartered in NKY at 1132 Greenup Street has partnered for three years with local officials and local hotels to provide shelter from winter conditions in Boone County.
Due to limited holiday staffing on Monday, Welcome House was unable to tell LINK nky exactly how many cold shelter slots are available right now.
So far, Beshear said most Kentuckians have been able to weather current conditions without losing power. There were only 1,014 Kentuckians without power on Monday afternoon, he reported. That number is low enough that Beshear said he doesn’t see a need for the state to step in and set up warming centers at this moment.
However, he said that state government would step in “If requested by an area that needs assistance, especially one that looks like it’s going to get hit harder.”
That would be in line with the state of emergency called by Beshear Sunday due to worsening weather conditions, including significant snow predicted in east Kentucky. A state of emergency declaration activates additional emergency resources for use statewide.
“Each county has an emergency management director. They typically make the call on setting up warming centers. We’ll work with each of them, but right now … we think we’re in pretty good shape. But we need to make sure there’s a warm place for people that don’t otherwise have a warm place,” said Beshear.
Also speaking at the Monday press conference was Kentucky National Guard Adjutant General Maj. Gen. Haldane Lamberton who said National Guard soldiers will be on standby at armories around the state to help stranded motorists. The guard is focused on three primary routes – I-75 south of Corbin, the Hal Rogers Parkway, and US 23 through Prestonsburg, all in eastern Kentucky – although Lamberton said the guard’s reach is wider.
“Quite simply across the entire commonwealth we’re prepared to respond to whatever type of incident as necessary,” said the adjutant general.
The Kentucky Emergency Management Agency has shared the following tips to get through the next few days of winter:
- Have a full tank of gas when driving in bad weather. Bring an emergency survival kit that includes a car charger, blanket, jumper cables, water, flashlight, and whatever else you may need.
- Dress in layers to retain body heat. Wear a hat and gloves.
- Inside the home, keep space heaters at least three feet from flammable objects and turn them off when unattended.
- Do not use generators or outdoor heaters inside the home.
- Drip faucets when temperatures are in the single digits or below to prevent frozen or burst pipes. Know where the water shut-off valve is located.
- Check on neighbors, and bring in pets from the cold this week.