Here we snow again. This weekend was one for the books, huh?
Lexington accumulated ~6 inches of fluffy snow yesterday, followed by an additional layer of sleet and ice, and more is expected today. Mayor Linda Gorton declared it a snow emergency + partially activated the Emergency Operations Center.
Remember, if you don’t have to get on the roads today, stay home. However, we know that’s not possible for everyone. Start here to stay informed regarding roads, warming stations, and closures:
- See the snow plan for Lextran routes
- Get snow and ice updates from the city’s public information office including the prioritization of road clearings + a list of important phone numbers
- Today is a staff/teacher work day for Fayette County Public Schools, but keep an eye out for any future delays
- Transylvania’s classes will be held virtually today
- UK is closed for in-person activities, however UK Healthcare will remain open
- Blue Grass Airport canceled all flights on Sunday, but tracking is available for future flights
Our Department of Emergency Management’s (DEM) website, Be Ready Lexington, has nearly every resource you could think of — from emergency kits for your car to pet preparedness plans.
The city is encouraging Lexingtonians to call 311 in the event of non-life-threatening damage. | Photo courtesy of @lexingtonkygov
What is Be Ready?
Be Ready is a one-stop shop curated by the DEM to ensure every citizen is equipped with knowledge + resources for any type of event. The DEM operates within the emergency management cycle, which takes a four-phase approach when handling emergency weather:
- Preparation: Staff is equipped with the knowledge + tools to respond to specific incidents
- Response: Staff is trained to handle emergencies before, during, and after an event
- Recovery: Staff is prepared to getting Lexington stable after an emergency
- Mitigation: Staff takes physical or legal measures to reduce impact before the next disaster
Making a plan
Along with outlining how the city handles hazardous weather, the department’s website also provides tools and educational resources to help you plan for emergencies. There are guides for:
- Those with or who are caretakers of people with disabilities
- Seniors
- Equine safety
- Farm preparation
- Pet preparation
- Shelter-in-place plans
Build a kit
While we think of water, food, and shelter as the pillars of emergency preparedness, Be Ready also provides suggestions for the often over-looked items. Think: Important documents, medications, phone chargers, spare clothes, and weather radios.
Other ways to stay informed
Staying aware is perhaps the most critical part of preparing for emergency weather. Luckily, the website makes it easy to stay updated and informed in the form of:
- LEXALERTS notification system
- Details about outdoor sirens, including what they mean and how you should respond to them
- Educational resources, like knowing the difference between watches and warnings
- The Be Ready Lexington app
