Gov. Beshear gives update on winter storm recovery

As clean-up efforts continue across the state following snow and ice accumulations over the weekend, Governor Andy Beshear provided an update on efforts taking place.

Unfortunately, the governor was able to confirm that a woman in her 70’s from Whitley County passed away due to the winter weather, and they are investigating three other fatalities to see if they were related to the storm.

The governor says there’s still about 950 individuals taking advantage of the numerous warming centers across the Commonwealth, and the Kentucky State Parks are set up to act as warming shelters for those in need. That includes at Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park in Hopkins County.

Kentucky State Police have responded to thousands of calls for help, many of them crash related, and done hundreds of welfare checks in the wake of Winter Storm Fern.

Road conditions are improving, says Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Secretary Jim Gray, but it will likely be some time before the secondary routes and back routes get cleared, as below freezing temperatures maintain their grip on the region.

While areas in western Kentucky received between three to five inches of snow and then a thick coating of ice, areas to our north and east received between eight and 11 inches of snow, along with the ice. Clean up efforts will likely take some time to achieve, as we will struggle to reach the freezing mark temperature wise for the rest of the week.