UPDATE: Jan. 6 at 4:24 p.m.
According to an update from the Office of the Mayor, as of 1 p.m., there are approximately 3,800 customers without power in Fayette County, and Kentucky Utilities has around 400 restoration personnel working to restore power. More than 180 downed electrical wires have been reported in Lexington, according to the release.
The release adds that City crews are continuing to treat roads with rock salt, salt brine and Beet Heet. On Monday, the City took delivery of 2,000 tons of salt for a new salt barns and crews are working 12-hour shifts, Streets and Roads Director Rob Allen said.
The Division of Emergency Management is recommending that stay off the roads and indoors if possible, and air temperatures will remain below freezing through “at least” Friday night.
The release says that between 6 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. on Monday, Lexington Police responded to 57 non-injury collisions, eight injury collisions, and 166 motorist assistance calls.
The City also says that waste management will not be picking up garbage or recyclables on Tuesday, Jan. 7.
ORIGINAL:
"I'm putting all hands on deck." That's the message from Lexington Mayor Linda Gorton, declaring the city is under a snow emergency.
The declaration partially enacts the city's Emergency Operations Center, placing all public safety divisions on 24-hour schedules through Thursday, January 9.
Officials with the city reported that crews are sweeping the streets of Lexington as the snow continues to fall and that all city removal crews are working 24 hours a day in alternating 12-hour shifts.
A release from city officials added that city offices for employees not involved in weather response will be closed on Monday, Jan. 6 including the following:
- City Employee Pharmacy
- Dr. Samuel Brown Health Center
- Fayette County Clerk's Office
- Raven Run Nature Sanctuary and McConnel Springs Park (all programs canceled)
- Dunbar, Castlewood, , Kenwick, Tates Creek, and William Wells Brown community centers
- All Play Golf Lexington courses (Lakeside, Tates Creek, Gay Brewer Jr. Course at Picadome and Kearney Hill Golf Links)
While at this stage the declaration does not ban parking on snow emergency routes, Gorton did encourage residents to avoid parking on these streets, if possible.
“This emergency declaration fully mobilizes our public safety resources to help residents handle the severe weather we are experiencing," Mayor Gorton said.
“Residents can help our street crews get the streets cleared by not parking on snow emergency routes."
Snow emergency routes are considered any major streets through the city that are marked by signage.
