Saturday, January 31, 2009

Beauty can be dangerous

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Photos by Greg Barker show the early stages of the ice storm near Ewing. The eerie beauty of the ice is deceptive.

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State of Emergency Declared

According to the Ledger-Independent, a State of Emergency has been officially declared in Fleming County and while government agencies are using all of their resources to alleviate issues caused by the recent battery of snow and ice, officials there are urging residents to be extremely cautious until the weather breaks.
At a special meeting of Fleming County Fiscal Court Friday, county officials discussed a variety of challenges presented by the winter storms including power outages and extremely hazardous road conditions.
On Tuesday, Fleming County declared a Level 3 State of Emergency, the highest designation there is, according to Judge-Executive Larry Foxworthy. Typically during a Level 3 situation, only emergency traffic would be permitted on roadways, Foxworthy said.
"We have eased up on the restrictions so people can get to work," Foxworthy said.
Even so, Foxworthy and Sheriff Scott Royce strongly encouraged county residents to stay off the roads if at all possible.
"We are asking people to use extra caution and stay home unless they absolutely have to go out," said Royce after the meeting. "Most of the back roads are still in horrible shape, and some of the main roads still have ice."

There are currently three emergency shelter areas open in Fleming County -- one at the Flemingsburg Christian Church near the Dairy Queen, one at the Fleming County Ambulance Services building and one at the Fleming County Health Department. Anyone in need of shelter is urged to call Dwayne Price at 606-845-1419 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. For shelter assistance after business hours, call Fleming county Dispatch at 606-845-2121.