Kicking off the new year with winter weather
News release provided by Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government
It’s 2025, and Lexington is preparing for the first winter storm of the season.
“We just had a wonderful celebration, bringing in the new year and our community’s 250th Anniversary, and now we are gearing up for the first winter storm of the year,” Mayor Linda Gorton said. “The city is prepared for what may come our way, and we will continue to serve our residents.”
Weather experts are currently forecasting a mixture of snow and ice for our region, with bitter cold weather arriving early next week.
Gorton called together representatives of city departments to discuss their weather plans:
DIVISION OF STREETS AND ROADS
City Streets and Roads and Water Quality crews will be pre-treating roads with salt brine and Beet Heet this afternoon. Treating will continue this weekend. Additionally, the City’s Environmental Services team will pre-treat priority sidewalks along bridges and Town Branch Commons on Saturday.
Response teams from Streets and Roads, Water Quality and contractor support will report Sunday morning. All staff is on-call to work alternating 12-hour shifts as needed.
The City’s snow plan will be followed. The snow plan can be found at lexingtonky.gov/government/departments-programs/environmental-quality-public-works/streets-roads/snow-ice-control-plan.
Salt will be pretreated with brine and Beet Heet before application to improve its effectiveness at lower temperatures. The city uses two salt barns. The city’s original salt barn, built in 1994, is being replaced. Located next to the original barn, the new barn is located off Old Frankfort Pike and holds over 4,500 tons of salt.
The Mayor encouraged residents to avoid traveling on snowy or icy roads. Pets should be brought inside to keep them safe from weather and upcoming frigid temperatures.
DIVISION OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
The City’s Division of Emergency Management recommends residents plan for power outages. If residents have generators, make sure they are always used outdoors to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. The division also recommends updating your home and vehicle emergency kits, as well as having a NOAA battery-powered weather radio. Residents can sign up for free weather alerts at bereadylexington.com.
LEXINGTON POLICE
The Lexington Police Department is committed to doing everything it can to respond to the needs of the community during this round of winter weather. Specialty vehicles have been prepped, and traffic control equipment, including portable inverters to power intersections in the event of a power loss, are ready. Officers will monitor the interstates to assist motorists with collisions and other traffic hazards.
In the event of winter weather, Police want to encourage motorists to avoid non-essential travel. However, if travel is necessary, motorists need to give themselves plenty of time to get to their destinations, increase the distance between yourself and other vehicles, and put your vehicle in a lower gear to get better traction. Also, in case of an emergency, try to have a full tank of gasoline, water, snacks, and other items to help you stay warm in your vehicle.
LEXINGTON FIRE
The Lexington Fire Department is fully staffed and operational. Additional staff members are on stand-by if needed. Engines and ladders are winterized to protect them from freezing and inclement weather.
Firefighters urge residents to use caution with home heating equipment. Space heaters should be at least 3 feet away from combustibles. Although it is always important to have functioning smoke alarms, it is especially important when using alternative heat sources. It is additionally important to have functioning carbon monoxide detectors, as dangers increase when using supplemental heating.
Residents are encouraged to know where home water shut-offs are located, and how to turn them off. Additionally, any ashes from woodburning stoves and fireplaces should not be places in refuse bins.
WASTE MANAGEMENT
Waste collection operations may be adjusted, based on road conditions. Updates about City waste collection, including any cancelations and makeup days, will be posted to the snow updates webpage. Residents with City waste collection can also sign up for text alerts about changes to the waste collection schedule by texting their regular collection day (MONDAY, TUESDAY, THURSDAY or FRIDAY) to 888777.
OFFICE OF HOMELESSNESS PREVENTION AND INTERVENTION
The Office of Homelessness Prevention and Intervention has activated its Emergency Winter Weather Plan The plan focuses on assisting those who are seeking shelter from the cold weather. There is immediate expanded capacity in shelters to assist persons experiencing homelessness in Lexington.
This year, the Office of Homelessness Prevention and Intervention partnered with area supportive service providers to operate a seasonal winters shelter program. This motel-based program prioritizes those with barriers to accessing other forms of shelter and vulnerable persons. For more information about this shelter program, call 2-1-1.
There are many community partners supporting the Emergency Winter Weather Plan.
Overnight Emergency Shelter Providers:
- Arbor Youth Services (children and parenting youth under 18, as well as youth 18-24 years); call (859) 254-2501
- Catholic Action Center Emergency Shelter (women and men 18 years and older); call (859) 514-7210
- Catholic Action Center Mother Theresa Shelter (veterans contract housing); call (859) 514-7210
- Community Action Council Emergency Family Housing (families that cannot split up into other shelters for an approved reason); call (859) 233-4600
- GreenHouse 17 Emergency Shelter (fleeing intimate partner violence and abuse); call (800) 544-2022
- Hope Center Emergency Shelter (men 18 and older); call (859) 252-7881
- Salvation Army (adult women, families with minor children); call (859) 252-7706
Day Center Providers:
- Arbor Youth Services Outreach Center (youth and those 18-24 years); call (859) 254-2501
- Lexington Rescue Mission (everyone); call (859) 381-9600
- Natalie’s Sisters (sexually exploited women 18 years or older); call (859) 533-5946
- Nathaniel Mission (everyone); call (859) 255-0062
- New Life Day Center (adults); call (859) 721-2325
- New Vista Drop In Center (adults); call (859) 721-8505
- Recovery Café Lexington (adults); call (859) 523-0590
Shelter information has been provided to Lexington Police and Fire, churches, emergency rooms and hospital staff, as well as a large variety of stakeholders. LexTran is providing free rides to shelters.
Residents who see someone who may need shelter should call LexCall at 311 or (859) 425-2255 to be connected with the Office of Homelessness Prevention and Intervention. After business hours, contact the Street Outreach team at (859) 551-8053 or (859) 556-1870. In case of an emergency, call 911.
Residents are encouraged to check on family and neighbors, especially those who may need extra help.
Stay up-to-date with City winter weather updates by visiting lexingtonky.gov/snowupdates .
News release provided by Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government
https://www.lexingtonky.gov/news/kicking-new-year-winter-weather
