SALYERSVILLE – Winter Weather Storm Blair hit the county on Sunday and at press time has yet to quit snowing for any amount of time, leaving many without power and roads nearly impassable at times, with more snow and cold temperatures on the way.
At press time, in Magoffin there are 807 Licking Valley RECC customers and a handful of Kentucky Power customers are still without power, with roughly half of the county’s electricity knocked out at the storm’s peak.
While not hit as bad as some other Kentucky counties to our north, it was bad enough for Magoffin County Judge/Executive Matthew Wireman to declare a state of emergency, noting 1,500 power customers without electricity on Monday and multiple roads blocked by fallen trees.
The Lloyd M. Hall Community Center and the Salyersville Fire Department are serving as warming stations for anyone needing a warm place to stay and will continue to be used as such as there is a need. For information or to report a blocked road, people are encouraged to call the dispatch non-emergency line at 606-349-4403.
Crews have worked nearly around the clock to clear and treat the roads, with Judge Wireman also requesting assistance from Kentucky Emergency Management to get the National Guard and/or Kentucky Division of Forestry to help with the saw teams and cleanup crews.
On Tuesday, Judge Wireman posted the following:
I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to our dedicated road crews, the state forestry team, our rescue squad, sheriffs department, local contractors and especially to our local citizens who always have and continue to go above and beyond in clearing the county roads of fallen trees. Your hard work and commitment to our community have not gone unnoticed.
Additionally, I want to express our sincere gratitude to the power companies for their continuous efforts to restore power. Your relentless work in ensuring that our homes and businesses have electricity during these challenging times is truly appreciated.
Thanks to your tireless efforts, our roads are safer and more accessible, and our community can function more smoothly. Your teamwork and dedication truly exemplify the spirit of our community.
Thank you once again for your continued incredible work and dedication.
Everyone be safe and stay warm!! We will be back at it tomorrow as we continue to deal with this winter storm!!
Matt
Magoffin County Schools will be closed all week, with the first three days traditional snow days, and Thursday and Friday set as NTI days, though students still without power will be given extra time to complete the assignments.
As we close in on the next winter storm, dubbed “Cora,” be sure to have a backup heat source prepared, make sure you have all medicines you’ll need for a while and always remember to check on your neighbors, especially the elderly and/or disabled.
