Kentucky is under a state of emergency following a snowstorm Thursday and the threat of treacherous driving conditions and frigid temperatures on Friday.
“All roadway surfaces will freeze. They are and will be extremely dangerous,” Gov. Andy Beshear said.
State highway crews will be working overnight. But the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet warned that black ice — which develops when water refreezes on pavement and is nearly impossible to see — will be a threat to motorists and the crews trying to clear the roads.
Beshear issued the state of emergency in response to snowfall across the state. The Kentucky National Guard was activated at interstate closures, and search-and-rescue teams were out checking on stranded motorists.
Snow accumulation Thursday in the Hopkinsville area was roughly 5 inches, according to the National Weather Service.
Hopkinsville police urged people to stay off the roads if they don’t have to be out. Schools and most government offices were closed Thursday and will be closed again on Friday.
Temperatures will dip to 4 degrees Thursday night, and the high Friday will be 25 degrees, according to the weather service’s forecast. However, the wind chill temperature is expected to be below zero. There is no snow forecast for Friday.
Motorists can track hazardous road conditions on this state website.
Christian County Public Schools
The Christian County school district will be closed to in-person instruction Friday but will hold classes virtually, the district announced Thursday afternoon. Pembroke Elementary students are exempt from having to participate in Friday’s non-traditional instruction.
The ACT test scheduled for Saturday at Hopkinsville High School and Christian County High School has been canceled and will be rescheduled. The district also plans to reschedule high school midterms and final exams.
School sports, practices and extracurricular activities also have been canceled for Thursday and Friday. The district plans to make a determination regarding weekend sports and extracurricular activities on Friday afternoon, according to the release.
Hopkinsville Community College
All Hopkinsville Community College campuses will be closed to in-person traffic on Fri., Jan. 7, but all services will be available remotely.
Private schools
Saints Peter and Paul Catholic School, Heritage Christian Academy and University Heights Academy will all be closed Friday.
City of Hopkinsville
The Hopkinsville Municipal Center will be closed Friday.
Hopkinsville Electric System
The Hopkinsville Electric System office will be closed Friday. Customers can call 270-887-4200 or visit the HES website.
Hopkinsville Water Environment Authority
The Hopkinsville Water Environment Authority’s main office and drive-thru lane on East Ninth Street will be closed Friday. Customers can make payments online by calling 270-887-4246.
Sportsplex
The Sportsplex will be closed tomorrow. The indoor turf soccer league championships scheduled for Friday have been rescheduled for Jan. 14. “Jr. Pro at the Plex” games are canceled Friday, but still planned for Saturday.
Christian County Clerk’s Office
The Christian County Clerk’s Office will be closed Friday. Candidates may leave their filing papers in either of the drop boxes at the front and back of the old courthouse on South Main Street.
Christian County Justice Center
The Christian County Justice Center will be closed Friday, and all court dockets are canceled.
“The Circuit Clerk’s office will send court notices with new court dates to any party affected by tomorrow’s closure. You will receive notice in the mail next week,” District Judge Foster Cotthoff said in a Facebook post.
Pennyrile Allied Community Services
All Pennyrile Allied Community Services offices and senior centers will be closed on Friday, the agency announced on Facebook. Transportation will be running life-sustaining trips only and city transit lines in Hopkinsville will be closed.
Jennie Stuart
All Jennie Stuart Medical Group providers will be closed on Friday, and will be converting to Telehealth as appropriate, the hospital announced Thursday. The following departments also will be closed: JennieCare Urgent Care Clinic and Occupational Health, Medical Oncology and Radiation Oncology, Medical Imaging and Express Lab, Wound Healing Care, Cardiac Rehab and Pulmonary Rehab, and Physical Therapy/Rehab.
