Snow Daze: Ice, snow impact region

Jennifer Moonsong

Central Division

General Manager

Jobe Publishing, Inc.

 

For a week, ice and snow unlike any seen by South Central Kentucky for years came through in waves, shutting down schools, businesses, and roadways.

 

An ice storm was the first to hit, followed by snowfall ranging from 4-8 inches of accumulation.

 

“This storm was different than most because it came in waves,” said Metcalfe s County Emergency Director, Emory Kidd.

 

“We had freezing rain sleet then snow then more freezing rain and snow. The ice gives the road department headaches.

 

There are 371 miles of roads in Metcalfe County, and 235 miles of blacktop roads which they have to go down twice.

 

“So, basically we have to clear 470 miles of asphalt roads. The chip seal and gravel cannot be graded due to pushing the chip seal and gravel from the roads and when the thaw happens, you have mud.”

 

It takes 14 hours using 5 trucks and a road grader to get over all of the roads one time. Due to funding, the county is limited on salt so salt is was only used at intersections, curves, and bad hills.

 

All state roads are salted, so they were clear first.

 

Both Metcalfe and Barren County declared a state of emergency.

 

In Barren County, Judge-Executive Michael Hale declared a state of emergency last Tuesday.

 

The Emergency Operation Plan was implemented and emergency management provided assistance to the community.

 

Circumstances were further complicated by a wreck Wednesday that took down power pole and ceased electricity for part of Glasgow.

 

Although this ice/snow was life-altering it was not record-setting. Kidd likened it to the 2015 snowstorm; however, there were fewer incidents this year.

 

Metcalfe has had only 3 power outages affecting 70 houses, and although there were numerous accidents, none resulted in serious injury.

 

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank the residents for listening to the forecast and making arrangements, being prepared and able to stay home. The businesses in the county shut down and worked with employees for their safety. For every responder and road crew that was out and about we say thank you,” Kidd said.

Top Ten Deepest Snow Depths for KY 18” – February 6, 1998 and January 20-21, 1978 17” – February 7, 1998 and January 22, 1978 16” – January 21, 1994; January 18, 1994; January 17-18, 1978 15” – January 19-20, 1994; January 23, 1978; January 15, 1918 14” – January 22, 1994; January 19, 1978; January 22, 1918; January 16, 1918; January 14, 1918; December 8, 1917 13” – February 8, 1998 and January 17, 1994 12” – February 5, 1998; January 23, 1994; January 24, 1978; January 23, 1918; January 17-21, 1918; December 9, 1917 11” – March 23, 1968; February 2-3, 1966; January 24, 1918 10” – March 5, 2015; February 9, 1998; January 8, 1996; February 2, 1978; January 26-30, 1978; January 25, 1918; December 13, 1917