UPDATE: 2:25 p.m.
A Kentucky Transportation Cabinet spokesman says I-24 is clearing due to plowing and salt, but other western Kentucky roads remain snow-packed after the last 24 hours of winter weather. Keith Todd says to avoid unnecessary travel, and that recommendation won't change until sometime Tuesday as temperatures rise to 30 degrees and road salt starts working. But Todd says KYTC salt supplies are running out.
“We’re hoping that this is going to be the last one of the season and if so, we’ll be okay," Todd said. "But our suppliers are telling us because of the increased demand nationwide, it’s going to be very, very difficult to get any salt delivered in the next three to four weeks.”
At the beginning of the weekend, the 12 western-most counties had 5,500 tons of salt in supply. Todd said that’s enough for about four or five days for a significant event. Todd said if another significant winter weather event occurs in March, the KYTC’s response would be limited due to the salt shortage.
Meanwhile, with temperatures possibly falling to single digits Monday night, Todd said there is a potential for refreezing of what has melted today.
PREVIOUSLY:
Road Conditions are hazardous throughout the region. The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet continues to urge residents to avoid all unnecessary travel. If you must travel today call ahead to your desitnation to ensure it is accessible or open. It's also a good idea to plot your route, you can use an interactive map with specific traffic alerts here.
6:45 a.m. - The National Weather Service in Paducah reports we are still under a Winter Storm Warning until noon today. Forecasters say any snow will come to an end after 9 a.m. this morning.
The Ice Storm Warning, however, has been canceled. Reports are coming in from across the region of heavy sleet ranging from three inches here in Murray and a little over two inches in Paducah down to an inch and a half in Madisonville.
This, coupled with ice accumulation of about a tenth of an inch down to a quarter of an inch, and snowfall of up to a half inch in some areas has made travel hazardous throughout the Four Rivers Region.
Still, despite the weather-related school closings, there haven’t been any road closures, except for the Dorena-Hickman Ferry, which is closed until further notice.
So far, no power outages have been reported, and there are no reports of trees or lines down. KYTC Spokesman Keith Todd says the state police have notified the cabinet of multiple vehicles off the road along U.S. Highway 45 in Graves County near the 17 mile marker.
Road crews are plowing and treating roads.
