February 15, 2015 (1:00 pm)
STAY INSIDE! Brrrrrrrr….
UPDATE:
SNOW EMERGENCY LEVEL THREE: GOES INTO EFFECT AT NOON
TODAY UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE…
SNOW EMERGENCY LEVEL THREE:
Conditions: All roadways are restricted to emergency personnel
use only for travel to work, for delivery of medical supplies, medical
treatment and snow removal operations.
Mayor’s office issues press release concerning incoming storm
LOUISA, Ky. — The Louisa Mayor’s office is closely monitoring the forecast of what could be a major winter storm. The NWS now seems very confident in a winter storm that could significantly affect travel and other services in the next 48 hours.
The city is asking residents to be prepared for snow, severe cold temperatures and life threatening wind chill factors in the days ahead.
“I have spoken with the city department heads for Fire, Police, Water, Street and Sanitation today to see if there is any additional resources needed to adequately respond to the storm,” Harold Slone, the newly elected Mayor who served a Lawrence Co. EMS director before being elected.
“If you have a vehicle parked on the street and can possibly park it elsewhere it would be a great help to the city,” Slone said. “If snow totals reach what is possible, plowing the streets will be a major effort, cars parked on the streets will greatly hinder the operation. “Our city is not currently equipped to handle winter weather like this storm could bring and that’s something I plan on improving before next year,” Slone added. “But for this year we are gearing up to do the very best we can with the resources we have.”
Slone asked that you be prepared with alternative heat sources, conserve city water as much as possible, and stay off the roads unless it is an emergency.
Should the storm impact the City as forecasted, garbage pickup will not run on Monday. Monday route will be attempted Tuesday.
Stay in touch with local officials, the NWS and the Office of Emergency Management for regular updates on the potential severe and dangerous weather.
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Lawrence County Emergency Management
Message from Lawrence County Emergency Management – Attention! Attention! National weather services has issued a winter storm warning. More info can be found at: www.facebook.com/lawrencecountykyem
Lawrence County is under a winter storm watch at this time. It appears we will receive at least 4 inches of snow based on current model runs. Any areas in the NWS Jackson coverage area including Johnson and Martin are already under a winter storm warning for 6-12 inches of snow. This is likely to be a heavy snowfall for all of Kentucky. Take today and get prepared as this storm will arrive our area after midnight. The Monday morning commute will likely be very hazardous with conditions worsening throughout the day. We will have update throughout the day and especially this evening as the exact track of the heaviest snow is narrowed down.
All SAR Members please contact Randy or reply with your availability for the next 36 hours. We are in the process of establishing teams for emergency response needs and possible evacuations in the event of power outages. Additionally, we will be preparing for possible opening of warming centers and/or shelters. Thank you.
LAWRENCE COUNTY DECLARES SNOW EMERGENCY SATURDAY EVENING ( SINCE LIFTED SUNDAY MORNING ) AFTER STRONGER THAN EXPECTED WEATHER SYSTEM LEAVES COUNTY ROADS IN TREACHEROUS CONDITONS, BUT….
THE WORST IS YET TO COME!
DOWNTOWN LOUISA LATE SATURDAY AFTERNOON
Officials in Lawrence County declared a LEVEL ONE snow emergency for roads late Saturday evening after a short but fierce snow system brought a few inches of snow exacerberated by strong winds that created whiteout conditions that were worsened by a quick plunging temperatures that reached low single digits with negative double digit wind chills that flashed freezed roads througout the county area.
Power outages to several hundred customers throughout the county were also reported.
ROUTE 1 IN WEBBVILLE
US 23 NEAR LOUISA
KY 3398 (FALLSBURG ROAD – FULLER HILL)
Even though only around 2 to 3 inches of total snow were recorderd around the county, driving winds created deeper snow drifts, blinding whiteouts, that were worsened by swift dropping temperatures that made solid ice conditions for Lawrence County roads suitable for ice skating and bobsledding.
AUTOMOBILE THAT SLID OVER EMBANKMENT ON KY 32 ABOUT A QUARTER OF MILE WEST OF KY 3396 SATURDAY NIGHT. FIRE & RESCUE RESPONDERS DETERMINED THAT OCCUPANTS HAD ABANDONED THE VEHICHLE AFTER ACCIDENT.
But as bad as Saturday’s conditions were, they are nothing compared what maybe lying ahead for the region for the 72-96 hours, and beyond: Not only the biggest snow storm for Eastern Kentucky in the 21st century, but also followed up by a record setting cold night mid-week.
Things took an unexpected turn when the National Weather Service issued a Winter Storm Warning late Saturday night for a storm coming Monday that did not even exist 24 hours ago. (In fact, as of Friday there was no snow being given for the beginning of the week). By late Friday night/Saturday morning weather forecasts had changed to a dusting of snow for Sunday night; but all of that changed by late Saturday night through Sunday morning.
Weather meteorologists and forecasters throught Kentucky and West Virginia were surprised and taken back when the National Weather Service are now forecasting that the the impending snow storm is expected to bring 6 to 12 inches, with one computer model suggesting up tp 18 INCHES for Lawrence County and the surrounding areas.
As bad as those forecasts are; a clipper system coming from Canada Wednesday that will only bring an inch of snow, but will also bring in air from the Artic that could see Wednesday night/Thursday morning temperatures hitting as low as -10 below zero with windchills -30 to -40 below zero with Thursday night near -15 below with windchills -40+ below zero. Another system is forcast for next Saturday & Sunday with 10-18 inches of snow! and a reinforcing shot of polar air. SEE http://www.wunderground.com/q/zmw:41230.1.99999?
By Monday Feb. 23 Lawrence County could have up to 3 feet snow on the ground. Stay tuned for more updates on these impendning epic weather events.
