OFFICIALS BRACE FOR POTENTIAL HAZARDOUS WINTER WEATHER

OFFICIALS BRACE FOR POTENTIAL HAZARDOUS WINTER WEATHER

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Feb 4, 2014) – Kentucky Emergency Management has activated the Commonwealth Emergency Operations Center (CEOC) to Level II.

Weather forecasts for much of the Commonwealth have prompted Kentucky’s emergency management officials to hold several conference calls with the National Weather Service (NWS) and statewide emergency officials in preparation for another winter storm system approaching the state with a hazardous mix of precipitation in the forecast.

At CEOC Level II, KYEM and Kentucky National Guard personnel staff the CEOC, increasing communications and situational awareness among partners across the state.

KYEM began communications with statewide emergency partners yesterday in advance of the approaching weather system, coordinating preparations and systems and equipment tests. This weather system is expected to bring a wintry mix of snow, freezing rain and heavy rains in southern Kentucky.

Southern Indiana and part of extreme northern Kentucky can expect mostly snow with accumulations of 3 to 6 inches, while most of Kentucky’s biggest threat is ice accumulations from 0.10 to 0.33” and flash flooding due to the rain that will be in the mix. Southern and southeastern Kentucky will see little or no ice or snow, however heavy rain up to 1.75” may occur, increasing the risk of localized flash flooding and river flooding. The NWS Jackson Office has already issued a Flood Warning for the upper Kentucky River near Ravenna, KY.

The icing that will occur that will make for extremely hazardous travel and the possibility of intermittent power outages. KYEM officials and partners encourage everyone to review winter weather safety tips and heed all warnings.

During extreme weather, the best advice is to stay home, but if you must travel, take your emergency kit along (to include blankets), allow extra time, take it slow and allow plenty of space between vehicles. Do not approach down power lines; report any to your local utility provider or 911. Do not attempt to dross flooded roadways, STOP-TURN AROUND-DON’T DROWN!
Road conditions throughout the state can be found on the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet’s website at www.511.ky.gov, by calling 511 in Kentucky or 1-866-737-3767 for out-of-state callers.

Kentucky Emergency Management recommends all Kentuckians know the risks and review winter emergency plans. Check batteries in flashlights, radios and other devices. If you have a generator, make sure it is working properly and you are familiar with using it safely.

Possess and monitor a NOAA Weather Alert Radio and monitor local broadcasts for updated
warnings and information.

Winter safety tips can be found at:
• www.kyem.ky.gov
• http://healthalerts.ky.gov/Pages/WinterSafety.aspx
• http://www.ready.gov/winter-weather
• http://emergency.cdc.gov/disasters/poweroutage/

Complete weather forecasts by region can be found at www.weather.gov .

Additional winter safety tips resources can be found on the KYEM website at
www.kyem.ky.gov., where you can follow KYEMPIO Twitter and ‘like’ us on Facebook.
Kentucky Emergency Management will also have live footage of briefings available at posted
times at: http://www.livestream.com/kentuckyem

*KYEM has established a dedicated media line for this event. All media inquiries should be
directed to 502-607-6666.

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