Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Emergency Management topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Lexington officials warn of major winter storm; warming center to open
Summary
City emergency management warned of a major winter storm with an 80–90% chance of about 8 inches of snow locally and a 40–50% chance of 15 inches or more; officials urged residents to prepare 96 hours of supplies and announced the Catholic Action Center will open as a warming/triage center.
The Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government warned residents on Jan. 22 that a major winter storm is likely to hit the area beginning Saturday and urged preparation and caution.
Rob Larkin, director of emergency management, told the council the storm is forecast to begin Saturday between about noon and 1 p.m. and run through Sunday, with a high probability of heavy snow. “We’re looking here in Lexington, Fayette County area, 80 to 90% probability of receiving 8 inches of snow,” Larkin said, adding there is a “40 to 50% chance of receiving up to 15 or exceeding 15 inches of snow.” He said the snow is expected to become wetter on Sunday and that nights could see low temperatures in the teens or colder, with wind chills as low as −10 to −15 degrees.
Larkin urged residents to prepare supplies for at least 96 hours and said the storm’s impacts will last beyond the snowfall itself. “This will take several days for us to get back to some semblance of normal,” he said, and announced a city news conference the next day at 1 p.m. to provide further updates.
Addressing sheltering and care for people experiencing homelessness, Commissioner Lanter said the seasonal shelter on Versailles Road and permanent shelters such as the Hope Center and the Salvation Army were nearing capacity as people began moving in. “Catholic Action Center…is going to open up on Saturday at noon, and they’re going to stay open until at least noon on Tuesday,” Lanter said. He said the city would support the center by clearing snow around the property and ensuring access and that the site would serve as a warming and triage center to connect people to services.
Larkin advised residents with medical needs to call 911 for emergencies. For nonemergency needs related to city services, he recommended calling 311 or the nonemergency police number; he said both lines are conduits to the emergency operations center and ESF 6 (health care), which can arrange individual assistance.
The council did not vote on additional emergency measures during the meeting but asked staff to continue public messaging and coordination with partners. The city encouraged residents to stay informed through official briefings and prepare for extended recovery time after the storm.
