Warren County officials warn of incoming winter storm; road crews to pretreat, warming centers to open

Warren County officials on Thursday warned residents to prepare for a winter storm expected to begin early Friday and to avoid travel if possible.

Travis, a county emergency-management staff member, told the court the National Weather Service briefing effective timeframe was a winter storm warning from 3 a.m. Friday until 6 a.m. Saturday and that the latest update indicated an expected 4 to 6 inches of snow and extremely cold temperatures. Travis said the county has posted updates to social media and that warming centers in Bowling Green will be opened; route information from city and county public works would be posted once available.

Josh, a road department staff member, reported follow-up on a recent ice event and said crews had handled dozens of downed trees and logged overtime to clear roads. Josh said the department was pretreating hills, curves and main arterial routes and expected to be back out at daybreak Friday. He requested residents avoid travel while crews work to clear and chip debris.

Judge Executive (name not specified in the transcript) and several magistrates thanked road and emergency staff and urged residents to stay home. Magistrate Aldridge, Magistrate Cummings and others specifically praised Billy Joe Simmons and the road department for response work during the previous ice event and reminded residents that first responders and public-works crews must be available for emergencies.

The court also noted available county assistance for warming-center transportation through the sheriff’s department for residents unable to reach warming locations on their own.

Ending: The court reiterated that the next regular meeting is scheduled for Jan. 23 at 9 a.m.; in the meantime officials asked the public to follow county social-media channels for up-to-date route and warming-center information.