Home » Governor declares a state of emergency following heavy snowfall

Governor declares a state of emergency following heavy snowfall

FRANKFORT, Ky. – Gov. Andy Beshear has declared a state of emergency following heavy snowfall across the commonwealth that started early Thursday and continued throughout the evening.

The powerful severe weather is affecting travel on major interstates, and state and local roadways as well as causing power outages and damage to public infrastructure and private properties.

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet and the Kentucky State Police are working all interstates, Beshear said. The Kentucky National Guard is activated at all interstate closures and standing by on others without closures. Search and rescue teams are activated for safety checks on stranded motorists, and the Red Cross is monitoring the need for warming centers.

The governor asked Kentuckians to visit GOKy.Ky.gov to track hazardous road conditions across the commonwealth.

“We are urging Kentuckians to stay off the roads if possible,” Beshear said. “The weather we are continuing to see across Kentucky is dangerous.”

Today, at 12:30 p.m., Gov. Beshear provided an update to Kentuckians and said that due to inclement weather he had closed all state office buildings as of noon. Executive branch agencies will continue to provide services to the citizens of the commonwealth.

The governor recommended that Kentuckians to avoid travel due to hazardous road conditions and reports of multiple accidents. The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet asked for the cooperation and partnership of the public, with four specific requests:

  • Limit travel to what’s necessary when snow and ice are on the roads;
  • Give snow plows and crew members plenty of room on the road;
  • Ensure personal vehicles are winter ready, with the recommendation of keeping an emergency kit in vehicles; and
  • Mask up to slow the spread of COVID-19 and help protect against the quarantine of plow crews essential to roadway treatment.

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