Winter Storm Blair Causes Havoc in Lexington

News Summary

Winter Storm Blair has severely impacted Lexington and much of Kentucky, resulting in dangerous travel conditions, widespread power outages, and significant snowfall. The storm dropped between six to eight inches of snow along with ice, prompting a state of emergency across multiple counties. City officials have advised residents to avoid non-essential travel, while power outages affected approximately 90,000 residents early Monday, with many still without electricity. Emergency services are working to restore power and clear roads as frigid temperatures loom.

Winter Storm Blair Hits Lexington Hard

Lexington is facing the aftermath of Winter Storm Blair, which has left the city and much of Kentucky with treacherous travel conditions, widespread power outages, and a blanket of snow that seems to have taken everyone by surprise. Early on Sunday and extending into Monday, residents woke up to find their neighborhoods blanketed in several inches of snow, topped with a slick layer of ice, making roads nearly impassable.

A Heavy Coat of Snow and Ice

The storm brought with it impressive accumulations, measuring in with six to eight inches of snow along with about half an inch of ice in many areas. Central Kentucky wasn’t spared either, as they saw another inch of snow fall on Monday, pulling total counts up. By late Monday afternoon, Lexington had received a total of seven inches of snow over the course of two days, making it a winter wonderland, or for many, a winter nightmare.

Travel Trouble in the Bluegrass

Travel conditions have been rated as dangerously slick, with city officials advising residents to avoid any non-essential trips. Although some of Lexington’s main roads are reported to be reasonably passable, side streets remain covered in a slippery layer of ice. The region’s weather has left families stranded with over 170 traffic crashes reported, including 27 injury collisions and about 280 motorists stranded at various locations. City crews have been deployed using a staggering 1,200 tons of salt to treat the roads, but with frigid temperatures expected to drop further after this storm, the situation won’t change quickly.

State of Emergency Declared

The storm’s effects prompted a state of emergency declaration, impacting over 20 counties and 14 cities, including Lexington itself. Around 2,300 personnel from the Transportation Cabinet were on the job to clear the snow and ice, but the task is daunting as frigid temperatures and wind chills dropping as low as -4 to -7 degrees loom later in the week. Residents are reminded to treat downed power lines as live and hazardous.

Power Outages and Community Impact

On the power front, the storm has led to significant outages with around 90,000 residents without electricity early Monday. By late afternoon, that number had decreased, but about 50,000 residents still found themselves in the dark. Fayette County saw major outages, affecting approximately 5,000 homes at noon, dropping to 3,500 by later that day. Many counties, particularly in Eastern Kentucky, are experiencing prolonged outages with restoration efforts expected to take several days. This has left many communities reliant on available warming centers for relief.

Everyone’s Safety Matters

Officials are reminding residents to check on neighbors, especially the elderly, and use caution around generators as safety remains a top priority. As Lexington moves forward from this winter storm, several schools have announced closures for Tuesday and Wednesday, and flights at Blue Grass Airport have been mostly canceled. Moreover, local parks and golf courses are closed until it’s safe to reopen.

The Bigger Picture

This winter storm is no isolated event—it’s part of a broader pattern influenced by a polar vortex that affects over 60 million Americans, with various states like Kansas and Missouri feeling the brunt of extreme weather alerts. Conditions across these regions remind us that winter weather can be beautiful but also dangerous. As Kentuckians navigate this challenge, it’s a good time to stay informed, stay warm, and stay safe.