Highway crews continue to treat roadways in northeast Kentucky

Tree damage still has some roads closed

FLEMINGSBURG, Ky. – Transportation Cabinet crews in Department of Highways District 9 continue to treat priority B and C routes this morning in the wake of a severe winter storm that began Sunday.

Except for main routes such as Interstate 64, US 60, US 23, KY 7, KY 32, KY 11 and the AA Highway – known as priority A routes – roadways remain “partly covered” to “mostly covered” with snow and ice.

Several roadways in Boyd, Greenup and neighboring counties remain closed to through traffic because of downed power lines and, in some cases, fallen trees. Those include:

In Boyd County – KY 854, KY 966 (Trace Road), KY 773 (Bull Fork), KY 1945 (Jacks Fork), KY 757 (Whites Creek), and KY 752.

In Greenup County – KY 827 (Cole Branch); KY 1459 (Low Gap) should reopen later this morning; and KY 784 is likely impassable to most vehicles.

Motorists should still drive with caution, watch for highway crews on roadways and please note that:

• In many counties, such as Carter, Elliott, Lewis, Rowan and others, crews continue to cut fallen trees that are not blocking the entire roadway. Debris could also be near roadway travel lanes in many counties.

• Secondary routes may remain slick and hazardous. And, routes where power lines are down may not be completely treated yet.

• Power outages also shut down traffic signals. Where possible, portable stop signs may be erected. Signals may also revert to “flash mode” when power returns. Intersections with traffic lights out should be treated as four-way stops. If lights are flashing yellow, proceed with caution. If lights flashing red, stop until there’s a gap in traffic.

• Ice may still occur on roadways, especially in areas of snow melt or flooding.

Condition reports on major roadways are available by calling 511 or online at http://511.ky.gov, and are described as follows:

• Wet pavement – Ice could form as temperatures drop.
• Partly covered – Markings may be obscured by snow, slush or ice.
• Mostly covered by snow, slush or ice.
• Completely covered by snow, slush or ice.
• Impassable – Conditions unsuitable for all but emergency travel.

Ice does damage

Trees fell across the county as the ice storm swept through.

About 800 households are without electricity after an ice storm swept through last night followed by heavy rains and more snow is expected during the afternoon and evening.

According to Mary Beth Nance of Fleming-Mason Energy, “All hands are on deck” as Fleming-Mason crews work to restore power. Additional crews have been requested.

Fleming County was hit worse than the others, followed by Mason and Lewis, according to Vance.

Highway crews continue to battle ice, falling trees

Dozens of roads in northeast counties blocked

Transportation Cabinet crews in northeast Kentucky are battling not only snow and ice on roadways, but also falling trees that are hampering treatment efforts.

At this time, only major routes in Bath, Boyd, Carter, Elliott, Fleming, Greenup, Lewis, Mason, Nicholas and Rowan counties should be considered passable. Those include Interstate 64, US 23, US 60, the AA Highway, KY 8, KY 32, KY 11 and others.

Department of Highways District 9 crews will continue to respond to the dozens of downed tree reports being received in each county throughout the day, and will continue to plow and treat roadways. In addition, crews are prepping for another round of snow that’s forecast for today.

Motorists are advised that roadways are slick and hazardous, and could be blocked at any time.

As of 6 a.m., primary routes were slushy in all counties, with road conditions reported as “wet pavement.” Other routes ranged from "partly covered" to "mostly covered" with snow and ice.

Rev. Smith

Rev. Woodrow Smith, 86, passed away Monday evening at the Fleming County Hospital. Rev. Smith was a minister and a farmer. He was born in Morgan County May 26, 1922. His parents were the late Ramey and Rebecca Rosenberry Smith. Rev. Smith’s wife, Gladys Hay Smith, passed away August 16, 2003.

Survivors include a daughter, Linda (Russie) Dunaway, a grandson, Dr. Michael (Lori) Dunaway, and greatgrandsons Jonathan Michael Dunaway and Charles Nicholas Dunaway, all of Flemingsburg.

He was preceded in death by brothers and sisters Ovie Smith, Autie Smith, Ocal Smith, Essie Daulton, and Ottie Wright.

Funeral services are 1 p.m. Friday at the Wallingford Community Church with Rev. Cecil Ison and Rev. Ray Ripato officiating.

Burial in Newman Cemetery.

Visitation is at Boone-Nickell Funeral Home after 6 p.m. Thursday.

Snow on the ragtop

About six inches of icy snow drifted on and around the Mazda Miata, which won't be going anywhere until warmer weather comes to Kentucky.

Mr. Helphenstine

Charles Garr Helphenstine, 80, of Dayton, Ohio, passed away Sunday evening. Mr. Helphenstine was employed at Litton Ford Sales for over 20 years. He was born in Fleming County on February 4, 1928, to the late Harry and Iola Doyle Helphenstine.
He is survived by two sons, Gerald (Marietta) Helphenstine, Dayton, and Rick (Elizabeth) Helphenstine, Flemingsburg; three sisters, Betty Bumgardner, Miamisburg, Ohio, Lorette Darlington, Mt. Orab, Ohio, and Wanda Martin, Hobe Sound, Fla.; and four grandchildren, Aaron Helphenstine, Gera Thurman, Joshua Helphenstine, and Tommy Gallagher. He is also survived by five great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by two infant children, Charles Allen and Charlene Helphenstine and by two sisters, Rev. Opal Helphenstine and Helen Newdigate and by three brothers, Leo Helphenstine, Jesse D. Helphenstine, and Thomas Helphenstine.
Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Thursday in the Boone-Nickell Funeral Home. Burial in Elizaville Cemetery.
Visitation at Boone-Nickell after 5 p.m. Wednesday.

Slick highways

Department of Highways District 9 update as of 6 a.m...

Storm began as rain/sleet mix across northeast Kentucky about 12:30 to 1 a.m. this morning. All county crews and contractors have been out with snow plows and salt trucks overnight, and expect to remain out through the day.

Roads are partly- to mostly-covered with snow and icy slush mix, and are considered slick and hazardous. Crews continue to plow and treat priority routes. Conditions range from mostly snow in northern counties - Mason, Fleming, Greenup, Lewis and Boyd (Boyd County reported 3-4 inches of snow, and still snowing) - to a mix of sleet on top of 2-3 inches of snow in more southern counties of the district - Elliott, Rowan, Bath, etc.

Specifically, Interstate 64 has been treated but is again mostly-covered in Bath, Rowan, Carter and Boyd counties. Crews are continuing to plow and salt the roadway, but it is considered slick and hazardous.

No closures or significant roadway hazards have been reported to the highway department at this time.