Louisville weather: State of emergency issued in Kentucky ahead of 'dangerous' cold front

Gov. Andy Beshear issued a state of emergency in Kentucky as the Bluegrass State prepares for "really, really cold" weather coming this week, which could create hazardous conditions on some of the busiest travel days of the year.

"This is going to be really, really dangerous," Beshear said at a Wednesday morning press conference. "After tornadoes and floods, pandemics and multiple ice storms just in these last three years, I don't want to lose one person to this Arctic front that is coming through."

Temperatures around the state are expected to plummet Thursday evening, according to the National Weather Service in Louisville, and are not expected to rise past freezing levels again until Tuesday. And the timing, with Christmas on Sunday and thousands preparing to hit the road, could hardly be less convenient.

Temperatures will drop Thursday, with some snow coming

Thursday night will be a cold one, with the weather service noting temperatures should begin to fall significantly in the evening hours. Friday is expected to be the worst, with wind chills in Louisville between -25 and -35 degrees possible.

Some snow is in the forecast as well, with the weather service calling for 1-3 inches in Jefferson County overnight Thursday with locally higher numbers possible across the state. Louisville can expect a wintry mix to shift from rain to snow between 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. with snow ending sometime Friday morning.

Beshear noted the projections will change, and Kentucky Secretary of Transportation Jim Gray said the snow along with high-speed winds could create dangerous driving conditions ahead of a busy weekend on the road.

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Conditions are expected to be bad late Thursday through at least Saturday, he said. High winds could also result in downed trees and power lines, which would impact travel. Wind gusts as severe as 40 to 50 mph are possible Friday.

How the state is preparing

Calling a state of emergency, which allows coordination between state cabinets and departments and authorizes mobilization of the National Guard if needed, isn't the only step Kentucky officials are taking to get ready for the blistering cold. Preparation for an event like this week, Gray said, began months ago.

The state has about 2,000 employees along with more than 1,300 plows that are prepared to deploy throughout the state, along with private contractors. Kentucky has stockpiled more than 300,000 tons of salt for the roads, along with more than 1 million gallons of brine and 1 million gallons of calcium chloride to prevent ice on roadways.

Pretreatment won't be possible everywhere, though. Snow in the forecast Thursday is likely to begin as rain, which could wash away brine before it begins freezing, Gray said.

"This Arctic front, by all indications, presents significant potential hazards," he said.

Louisville officials said last month the city has 38,000 tons of salt on hand to deal with winter storms.

What to know if you're traveling

Beshear urged Kentuckians to get to their destination by midday Thursday if they are traveling for the holiday weekend. Visibility could be impacted by snow and wind on the roads after midday Thursday, Gray said.

If you must travel after hours, emergency management officials suggest having a plan in place ahead of time, with suggestions that include:

• "Know where your warming center is," Beshear said. The governor has asked each county to identify at least one warming center, a public facility that serves as a temporary shelter from severe weather.

• Have gas in the car where you can reach if needed.

• Secure a backup heat source.

• Make a vehicle kit – a collection of useful items when stranded in severe winter weather. Include items like blankets, chargers and flashlights.

In addition to county warming centers, 17 state parks will act as backup warming centers.

Officials urged Kentuckians to stay off the roads whenever they could and "hunker down" at home. If you must travel, here are some safety reminders from emergency officials:

• Avoid driving during the peak of winter activity.

• Pack an emergency car kit.

• Winterize your vehicle by checking the battery, tires, etc.

• Drive slowly if there is snow or ice.

• Slow down when approaching intersections, off-ramps, bridges or shaded areas.

• Maintain a large distance between vehicles.

• Download an app like WAZE to check traffic conditions beforehand.

• Eliminate distractions like checking your phone or eating.

• Make sure your vehicle's exhaust pipe is unobstructed to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning. Crack a window to let out some air when your car is running.

• Keep a blanket for each occupant that is in the vehicle.

• Avoid calling 911 if possible. Instead, call Kentucky State Police at 1-800-222-5555 to keep lines open for emergency calls.

Kentucky State Police Col. Phillip Burnett Jr. said response times for emergency services may be delayed depending on the volume of calls and road conditions.

Although emergency officials will do their best to make roadways passable, Beshear said, extremely low temperatures present a unique challenge.

"There are conditions where, regardless of the best efforts of the very best people ... road conditions can be unsafe to travel," he said.

How is Louisville Metro preparing for the Arctic front?

Louisville officials are also taking their own steps to prepare for the weather.

The Salvation Army, Wayside Christian Mission and St. Vincent de Paul shelters participate in Operation White Flag when temperatures drop below 35 degrees. Under Operation White Flag, anyone who needs to move indoors can stay at participating shelters while frigid conditions persist.

• Wayside Christian Mission (accepts pets): 432 E. Jefferson St., 502-742-7019

• St. Vincent de Paul (men's only facility): 1034 S. Jackson St., 502-584-2480, ext. 241

• The Salvation Army: 911 S. Brook St., 502-671-4904

Louisville Animal Metro Services also encourages residents to bring strays inside during severe winter weather. Residents can report a pet without proper shelter or fresh water by calling 502-473-PETS. LMAS will provide straw to residents who want to assist in housing animals without shelter, with availability to Jefferson County residents Wednesday through Thursday from noon to 6 p.m. until they run out, according to LMAS spokesperson Teeya Barnes.

Additional information about the storm, with tips on how to stay safe, is available on the transportation cabinet's website. Traffic disruptions and other important traveling information are also online at goky.ky.gov.

Reach Rae Johnson at rnjohnson@courier-journal.com.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: State of emergency issued in Kentucky ahead of 'dangerous' cold