Kentucky State Seal

OFFICE OF GOVERNOR ANDY BESHEAR








*FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE*




*Contact:  *

 

*Scottie Ellis
502-401-6933*
"[email protected]" <[email protected]>






Gov. 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. (Jan. 26, 2026) *– Today, Gov. Andy Beshear, along with Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) Secretary Jim Gray and Kentucky Emergency Management (KYEM) Director Eric Gibson, provided another update on severe winter weather affecting the commonwealth. Snow, sleet and ice have moved out of Kentucky, but Gov. Beshear urged 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,” said *Gov. Beshear*. “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.   

“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 [ [link removed] ]. 

*Kentucky State Parks 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 [ [link removed] ]. 

*Current Weather Conditions: *Gov. 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.” 

*KYTC:* Unessential travel is not advised, as roads remain hazardous. 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. Additional snow and rain fell overnight, worsening conditions and impacting trees and powerlines.  

Crews continue to prioritize keeping interstates, parkways and high-volume routes passable for emergency responders and critical travel. Between expected traffic increases today and extreme cold temperatures hindering the effectiveness of salt, road conditions will take time to improve. Drivers are urged to carry an emergency kit of life-saving essentials should they be stranded. Visit snowky.ky.gov [ [link removed]:*2F*2Furldefense.com*2Fv3*2F__https:*2Flinks-1.govdelivery.com*2FCL0*2Fhttps:*2F*2Ftransportation.ky.gov*2Fsites*2Fsnowky*2F1*2F0100019bf60a7818-401805e7-9fda-4471-9a02-925efea190e9-000000*2Fzh7gNUCuciSMBwwG9shmkKJCus11BMFgsEAdmN37jSQ=441__;JSUlJQ!!Db6frn15oIvDD3UI!hRAi7wfh76gaPlTKSDtfzdTnLsaddMUQShabuenXj8kOrdO9wIR3xUy9q4WexuIyhcksBEVtIvLyHzns9Ae2AoFVnu1zf98_N7z6DQ*2524/1/0100019bf6286eaa-c24f1b57-f16c-4d7b-83a7-0f8a89782dcf-000000/BunChBuajLPZuNEwp77DSRjCkhg2ahU8Qm6_0BzFuJw=441__;JSUlJSUlJSoqKiolJSUl!!Db6frn15oIvDD3UI!jVaedHaymBumxhI2d5YemcU6UnVtVOGwq3GboBUj7Ao92iGL8qm_bUxqcshOs97whtvV4H1ydr2SW2q7sRH0mADGpj6plMlX5hI%24 ] for driver tips and resources, like traffic cams. Travel conditions are available on the GoKy map [ [link removed] ]. 

“We want to thank Kentuckians for limiting travel – your help made a real difference by minimizing crashes and giving our crews the space they need to work,” said Secretary Gray. “Even if you’re seeing bare pavement or lighter snow in some areas, don’t let your guard down. Ice remains a serious threat, and near-to-below freezing temperatures this week mean slick conditions can linger or refreeze quickly. Our snowfighters are working around the clock to keep critical routes passable and make progress where conditions allow. This is an ongoing effort, and we appreciate the patience and caution it takes from everyone as we continue to battle these conditions.” 

All Driver Licensing Regional Offices are closed today due to inclement weather. Notifications were issued to appointment holders, and staff will attempt to contact customers to reschedule appointments. Eligible customers with a completed vision screening form may still renew their license online or by mail. More information is available here [ [link removed]:*2F*2Fdrive.ky.gov*2FPages*2FSkip-The-LIne.aspx/1/0100019bf785e58c-d1b31b86-816f-42aa-99bd-f015ea24580e-000000/hfksQIzCEdNm_rTHQLFAQeJbnem3_51l0Tgxw6utC8M=441__;JSUlJQ!!Db6frn15oIvDD3UI!gcH-AyFXARqTRoKH_jQUBf2BfiPy6aRHFI-XdWgH3iEy2RW6InmjrAcvjMWFKo9oJDnTqBbS6DeDfRfKKcNKTKUUzXPNt6uT%24 ]. 

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

*Kentucky State Police (KSP): *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 [ [link removed] ] 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 [ [link removed] ] to protect families from grossly overpriced goods and services. With the state of emergency in place, consumers in the commonwealth can report price gouging [ [link removed] ] to the Office of the Attorney General. Under state law, price gougers can be held accountable. 

On Saturday, Gov. Beshear announced [ [link removed] ] 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 [ [link removed] ] 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 [ [link removed] ] or call 502-607-6665. [ tel:5026076665 ] 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 [ [link removed] ]. 

*Disaster Distress Hotline: *The Disaster Distress Helpline [ [link removed] ] 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. 

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