Beshear provides update on state’s response to winter storm system

Power outages have fallen to below 48,000; Gov. Beshear urges Kentuckians to stay off roads as crews continue working throughout the day.

FRANKFORT, Ky. – On Monday, Gov. Andy Beshear, along with Kentucky Transportation Cabinet secretary Jim Gray and Kentucky Emergency Management director Eric Gibson, provided another update on severe winter weather affecting the Commonwealth.

Snow, sleet and ice have moved out of Kentucky, but Beshear is urging Kentuckians to continue to avoid travel and, if you must travel, slow down as crews treat slick roadways and temperatures remain dangerously low.

“This storm blanketed Kentucky with snow, sleet and ice for 36 hours straight and now dangerously low temperatures will continue,” Beshear said. “While the storm is moving out of Kentucky this morning, we still need Kentuckians to remain alert, avoid travel and stay indoors as much as possible. Crews are working hard to treat roadways and restore power, but this was a statewide event, and these efforts will take time.”

Power Outages and Warming Centers: There were 47,123 reported power outages as of 9 a.m. EST, down from around 73,590 at the height of outages Sunday, according to the governor’s office.

“With these dangerously cold temperatures, if your power is out, we need you to get to a warming center,” the governor said.

Kentucky currently has 137 warming centers set up across the commonwealth for those facing an outage. To find a warming center near you, or if you need additional assistance, visit kyem.ky.gov.

Kentucky State Park Warming Centers:

• Blue Licks Battlefield State Resort Park lodge (Carlisle)
• Buckhorn Lake State Resort Park lodge (Buckhorn)
• Carter Caves State Resort Park lodge (Olive Hill)
• General Butler State Resort Park Lodge lobby and mezzanine (Carrollton)
• Greenbo Lake State Resort Park lodge (Greenup)
• Jenny Wiley State Resort Park conference center (Prestonsburg)
• Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park lodge (Gilbertsville)
• Kincaid Lake State Resort Park conference center (Falmouth)
• My Old Kentucky Home State Park visitor center (Bardstown)
• Natural Bridge State Resort Park Woodlands Center (Slade)
• Rough River Dam State Resort Park lodge (Falls of Rough)
• For park warming center updates, visit parks.ky.gov/inclement-weather.

Current Weather Conditions

Beshear said many roadways are still slick, and temperatures will continue to be dangerously cold throughout the week, with wind chills as low as minus 20 degrees across Kentucky.

These temperatures could result in hypothermia or frostbite in as little as 10 to 30 minutes, especially on Tuesday morning. Avoid spending time outside and keep pets inside.

Areas in northern Kentucky received up to 12 inches of snow, with 4 to 6 inches across central areas of the state.

Ice accumulations were higher than expected and had the biggest impact, causing significant power outages and major impacts on roadways and overpasses.

The governor said the hardest hit counties were Allen, Barren, Monroe and Pulaski, but every county has had major impacts in this statewide event.

“Thankfully, Kentuckians were prepared,” the governor said. “This is our 15th major weather disaster. We know what to do, and the steps taken by everyone made a huge difference.”

Kentucky Transpiration Cabinet

State highway and contracted crews continue to address icy road conditions across the commonwealth brought on by snow and freezing rain.

A fleet of nearly 1,500 plow trucks will remain active to keep priority routes passable, as well as 12 heavy duty wreckers to help clear accidents.

With todays expected increase of travel and extreme cold temperatures hindering the effectiveness of salt the crews will prioritize high volume routes such as interstates and parkways for emergency responders and critical travel.

Visit snowky.ky.gov for driver tips and resources, like traffic cams. Travel conditions are available on the GoKy map.

Kentucky National Guard: The National Guard was in place at 53 armories across the state with 17 prepositioned cut-and-toss teams deployed in areas expected to receive the highest ice accumulation for evacuation needs.

Kentucky State Police

KSP has received 4,863 calls for service related to the winter storm, conducted 327 wellness checks, and responded to 413 requests for motorist assistance.

Water and Wastewater Systems: 500 drinking-water systems are on a boil water advisory, 23 are under limited operations. Two wastewater systems have limited operations, and one (Manchester) is nonoperational.

Sheltering Kentuckians: As of this morning, several hundred Kentuckians are being sheltered in warming centers as efforts continue to evacuate people based on needs. Team Kentucky evacuated 150 people from hotels in London. Team Kentucky also evacuated guests from Barren River Lake State Resort Park.

Emergency Declaration: On Friday, the Governor issued a state of emergency declaration, activating state resources to help protect Kentucky communities and families. The state’s Emergency Operations Center has been activated to Level 2, and emergency support functions staff are on standby and ready for increased activation.

Gov. Beshear also implemented the state’s price gouging laws to protect families from grossly overpriced goods and services due to the state of emergency in place, consumers can report price gouging to the Office of the Attorney General.

On Saturday, Gov. Beshear announced via his social media that President Trump approved an emergency disaster declaration making federal aid immediately available.

Today, the Governor clarified that is not individual assistance, but federal support to help the state respond.

Safety Tips

The governor warned Kentuckians to take breaks while shoveling, noting that the state lost six people in 2025 to snow removal incidents. Click here for shoveling safety tips.

If you are using a generator, keep it outside and 20 feet away from your home.

When To Call 911

If you have an emergency or life-threatening situation, dial 911 for immediate assistance.

Rapid Needs Assessment: If you have immediate needs that are not life-threatening, please complete the Rapid Needs Assessment Form or call 502-607-6665.

These needs include: power is out or inconsistent; no heat or very little heat; individuals with medical needs or disabilities; no food or unable to cook; no or very little drinking water; unable to leave house due to weather or lack of transportation; phone issues; unable to leave vehicle; checking on a loved one; and more.

KYEM has received and responded to 114 calls to the rapid needs assessment line.

For additional preparedness tips, visit kyem.ky.gov.

Disaster Distress Hotline

The Disaster Distress Helpline is a 24/7, year-round, confidential crisis counseling and emotional support resource for survivors, responders and anyone in the U.S./territories struggling with distress or other mental health concerns related to any natural or human-caused disaster.