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| By 3 p.m., the temperature in Marion had dropped to just above the freezing mark as a winter storm approached western Kentucky. |
THE CRITTENDEN PRESS
The temperature is dropping and Old Man Winter is on his way with the first significant winter weather of the season.
A winter storm warning for most of western Kentucky, including Crittenden County, is in effect from 6 p.m. today until 6 p.m. Friday. The system is expected to bring a significant accumulation of ice, sleet and snow.
Forecasters with the National Weather Service are pretty certain of their predictions, with precipitation chances at 100 percent overnight. Exactly how much accumulation and what type of precipitation that means for Crittenden County remains to be seen.
But local officials are cautiously optimistic about this storm.
"The best comparison I've heard is that this will be a distant cousin to 2009," said Crittenden County Emergency Management Deputy Director Fred Brown, who has sat in on meetings with National Weather Service forecasters over the last couple of days as the storm developed.
In 2009, of course, a massive ice storm blanked much of Kentucky, leaving hundreds of thousands without power for extended periods of time and making travel difficult. Power was out for as long as two weeks in Crittenden County.
This weather system is not expected to touch the 2009 event, though it could create havoc on roadways and lead to widespread power outages. Utility crews with Kenergy Corp. and Kentucky Utilities Co. are on standby, awaiting what the storm has to offer.
Brown said Crittenden County Courthouse has been designated as a warming center for those who may lose heat at their homes. The courthouse basement will remain open throughout the event for anyone needing refuge from the storm and its effects.
Should the power go out at the courthouse, those taking cover there will be moved to the emergency operations center on Industrial Drive. The EOC has a backup generator to keep the lights on and the facility heated.
The warming center plans are a solution to short-term power outages. Should the power be out for an extended period across a wide range of the county, a shelter would then be open. But Brown said that decision will come later.
"Opening a shelter is a big deal," he said.
During 2009, the elementary school and some churches were used as shelters, keeping people warm and fed.
After that disaster, officials are taking nothing for granted.
"It's obviously concerning," Marion City Administrator Mark Bryant said. "We need to be prepared for some issues, that's for sure."
Taking precautions, Crittenden County Board of Education has cancelled school for Friday and all school-related events through Sunday. Saturday's Christmas parade in Marion has also been cancelled, as well as a number of other community events.
Today, road crews with the state, county and city are prepared for the worst on the roads. Trucks are equipped with snow plows, salt for treating the roadways is at hand and crews are on standby, waiting to see what develops overnight as the storm system enters the region.
"All the equipment is gassed up and ready to go," Bryant said this afternoon of the city's preparedness.
Bryant said crews will not be pretreating the 39-miles of city streets with a brine solution but instead will be on standby awaiting what develops. Today's rains have prevented road crews across the state from pretreating roads, as the water would simply wash away the solution used on pavement prior to wintry precipitation in order to reduce freezing temperatures on roads.
When clearing becomes necessary, city street crews will focus on major city thoroughfares like Fords Ferry Road, Chapel Hill Road, Industrial Drive and Country Club Drive, as well as major intersections. State crews in Crittenden County will first address federal highways like U.S. 60 and U.S. 641, then focus on state highways. Country crews have almost 400 miles of roadways to care for.
Temperatures that yesterday topped out in the 70s had dropped to the freezing mark by 4 p.m. today. After discussions with National Weather Service authorities, Brown expects the worst to begin hitting around 8 or 9 p.m. tonight. He said emergency management officials will remain in touch with the weather service and monitor the changing conditions in order to address issues as they arise.
"We've just got to play it by ear," Brown said.
As the wintry weather is imminent, local police are advising people to use common sense.
"If you don't need to be out, don't get out," said Marion Police Chief Ray O'Neal.
Crittenden County Sheriff Wayne Agent said he and deputies are on standby, ready to respond if they are need in rural parts of the county. O'Neal's department will have watch over events inside the city.
"I feel good about things," O'Neal said, evoking memories of 2009. "People seem to be a little better prepared than last time."
Both the sheriff's and police departments are equipped with four-wheel drive vehicles to respond to emergencies.
The police chief is asking people not report power outages to 911 dispatch. Instead, they should be reported to the respective utility company of the individual reporting an outage. For KU customers, that number is (800) 981-0600. Kenergy customers should report outages at (800) 844-4832.
Wrecks should, however, be reported to dispatch, either by calling 911 or the non-emergency number, 965-3500.
Scott Tabor, owner of Tabor's Towing and Repair in Marion, also urges people to call the dispatch center first, as law enforcement is the quickest means to ensure help arrives to a stranded motorist.
Because there could be a backlog of calls for wrecker service, Tabor said it could be a matter of hours before some vehicles could be reached. That's why he, too, is urging people to stay put when the roads begin to freeze unless getting out is completely unavoidable.
"There's no sense in risking injury or damage to a vehicle unless you have to be out," he said.
Tabor estimates that during winter weather events, more than half of the calls he makes is to pull in the vehicles of people who didn't have to be out on the road.
If you need help
- Power outages: Kenergy (800) 844-4832; KU (800) 981-0600
- Police or fire emergencies: 911
- Wrecks: 911 or 965-3500
