A significant winter storm is headed for Hopkinsville and could bring 7 to 11 inches of snow this weekend.
The National Weather Service upgraded its winter storm watch to a winter storm warning, which will be in effect from late Friday through 7 p.m. Sunday. Heavy snow is possible, and travel could be very difficult, according to forecast. Residents are urged to prepare for extremely cold conditions with the wind chill hovering around zero or slightly below on Saturday and Sunday.
In addition, a cold weather advisory is in effect from 6 p.m. Friday through 6 p.m. Sunday.
“It’s going to be very, very cold — dangerously cold,” said Justin Gibbs, the lead forecaster for the NWS at Paducah, said Wednesday afternoon in a Facebook Live update.
A wintry mix of precipitation early Wednesday morning prompted several school delays and cancellations in the region. Christian County Public Schools ran on a two-hour delay because of slippery road conditions in the northern part of the county.
Conditions will worsen Friday with a daytime high of 30 degrees and winds gusting up to 21 mph. There is a chance of snow Friday evening, and the overnight low will be 9 degrees, according to the NWS forecast.
In addition, Christian County is in an area with the greatest potential for icing, according to a NWS map issued Wednesday. Power outages become a concern when ice forms on trees and utility lines.
There is a 90% chance of snow Saturday. At times, the snow could be mixed with sleet and freezing rain.
The high on Saturday will be 18 degrees, followed by a high of 23 degrees and more snow on Sunday.
Power concerns
With ice in the forecast for Christian County, crews at Hopkinsville Electric and Pennryile Electric have been preparing this week to respond to outages.
“After power is restored, tree limbs weakened by ice may still fall and cause additional outages,” HES noted in a Facebook post. “When that happens, our line workers will return to make repairs until the system is fully restored.”
A power outage will also cause internet to go out for those using Hopkinville Electric’s Energynet.
“If you’re an Energynet fiber customer, our fiber lineman & premise technicians will work to restore your internet service as quickly as possible once your electricity is back on. Please keep in mind there could be a delay before your internet is fully restored,” the Facebook post states.
To report an outage:
- Hopkinsville Electric customers may call 270-564-7250
- Pennyrile Electric customers may call 270-886-2555.
Extra shelter space
The Hopkinsville Salvation Army will provide emergency shelter to anyone needing a warm place at overnight. The Extreme Weather Event Shelter — also known as EWE, will be open from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. at 701 S. Clay St. The EWE shelter is open any night when the temperature or wind chill is forecast to be less than 25 degrees.
The First Baptist Church Christian Life Center, 1603 S. Main St., will be open as a warming station from 4 p.m. Saturday until noon Monday, the church announced in a Facebook post.
Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park is among several state park facilities open 24-hours a day as warming center.
Safety stressed
Ahead of the storm’s arrival, Gov. Andy Beshear declared a state of emergency, which clears the way to activate state resources such as Kentucky Emergency Management and the Kentucky National Guard.
“This is a serious storm that will likely cause dangerous conditions on our roads and potential power outages, which is why we are doing everything we can to keep Kentuckians safe,” Beshear said in a press release. “We ask that everyone does what they can to prepare now. Run any necessary errands before the storm, avoid traveling while conditions are dangerous, and have weather alerts turned on to stay informed.”
Hopkinsville Mayor James R. Knight Jr. encouraged residents to take the storm seriously.
“If possible, please stay indoors and avoid unnecessary travel. Road conditions may become hazardous quickly, and extreme temperatures can pose serious risks,” Knight said Friday afternoon in a social media post. “Staying home helps protect you and also allows emergency crews and public works teams to do their jobs safely and effectively.”
Road aware
In anticipation of the storm, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet began pre-treating majors road early in the week.
The NWS recommends having the following items ready in the event that power is interrupted and it’s difficult to get to stores:
- Flashlight and extra batteries
- Battery-powered NOAA Weather Radio and portable radio to receive emergency information
- Extra food and water such as dried fruit, nuts, granola bars, and other food that doesn’t require cooking or refrigeration
- Manual can opener
- Three-day water supply of one gallon per person per day
- Extra prescription and over-the-counter medications
- Baby items such as diapers and formula
- Extra pet food and warm shelter for pets
- First-aid supplies
- Fire extinguisher and smoke alarms
- Emergency heat source
- Heating fuel
This story may be updated.
Jennifer P. Brown is co-founder, publisher and editor of Hoptown Chronicle. You can reach her at editor@hoptownchronicle.org. Brown was a reporter and editor at the Kentucky New Era, where she worked for 30 years. She is a co-chair of the national advisory board to the Institute for Rural Journalism and Community Issues, governing board past president for the Kentucky Historical Society, and co-founder of the Kentucky Open Government Coalition. She serves on the Hopkinsville History Foundation's board.
