Bowling Green Public Works director Andy Souza appears on NewsNation, updates community on winter storm efforts
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – Some major exposure was brought to Bowling Green over the weekend, as Bowling Green Public Works director Andy Souza shared an update on a national stage at NewsNation.
“What are the conditions outside?”
That was the big question Souza was asked on Saturday and Sunday when he appeared on the 24/7 news channel to discuss what he’s seen during the winter storm.
It all started with an email to Mayor Todd Alcott, who got the ball rolling.
“They asked him ‘Could you talk about weather conditions and what you’re doing for the roads?’ and he said, ‘Probably oughta let you talk to public works,’ so I appreciate the softball from Mayor Alcott… and then from there, very quick communication with them… and very nice to work with, very easy to work with… and it was just fun to see national sort of coverage for Bowling Green… and really, this is not about Andy Souza. This is not about… this is about public works, team Public Works, and getting the message out on what we’re doing to keep taxpayers safe,” Souza says.
While it’s a chance for some national exposure for Bowling Green, it’s also an opportunity to spotlight the work being done, including clearing the roads… a process that’s been going on since Friday.
“Every single road should have got an initial treatment Friday before everything started… and then from then on, we’ve really been focused on priority A and B, and {Tuesday} we’re on C and D routes. So we will get those cul-de-sacs, some of those side streets.”
The main concern is the deicer, which becomes less effective as the temperatures drop.
“Folks will say, Andy, it’s 20 degrees out, and I see it’s melting on the streets. It’s because the sun’s out. So what will happen today is that will melt, and then as the sun goes away, as the wind picks up especially, black ice is going to be a problem,” Souza says.
The other area of concern is fallen trees due to the ice. If you see one, Souza recommends contacting the non-emergency line of the Bowling Green Police Department.
“They will let us know, and we will get out and get it removed. Our crews are double-dipping right now, so the guys are jumping out of snowplows and jumping into the grapple trucks to grab those trees. So we’re double-dipping. But please let us know, and we’ll get it cleaned as fast as we can,” he says.
News 40 will keep you updated on conditions as we learn more.
