Significant winter storm makes roads treacherous

What was forecast to be a relatively minor snowfall yesterday turned into a significant winter storm that lasted through the night with several inches of snow falling across western Kentucky, making driving extremely difficult to nearly impossible in some locations.

The Winter Storm Warning for Christian, Todd, Trigg, Hopkins, Caldwell and Muhlenberg counties was extended until 9 a.m. Montgomery, Stewart and Robertson counties in Tennessee are under a Winter Storm Warning until noon.

Public schools are closed today in Christian, Todd, Trigg, Muhlenberg, Caldwell, Hopkins, Montgomery and Stewart counties, in addition to Heritage Christian Academy, University Heights Academy, Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic School and Fort Campbell School. All campuses of Hopkinsville Community College, Madisonville Community College, Murray State University and Austin Peay State University are also closed.

Several area businesses and government buildings, including the Christian County Justice Center, area also closed.

Christian County Sheriff's Sgt. Adam Vanderkolk gave an update to WHOP News on road conditions.

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He says he responded to about a dozen vehicles that slid off the road overnight.

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Marshall County 911 reports numerous crashes, some involving SEMI trucks along I-24 between the US 68 Exit 16 Interchange and the I-24/Purchase Parkway Exit 25 Interchange Work Zone.

All lanes of I-24 are blocked along this 10-mile section . Marshall County has asked at all I-24 eastbound traffic be detoured off at the US 68 Exit 16 Interchange and at the US 62 Exit 27 Interchange to US 62 and US 68 to allow emergency crews and tow trucks to access this section safety and work to clear the roadway.

A dispatcher at the Hopkinsville-Christian County ECC says they received calls throughout the night from motorists needing assistance after running off the road in the snow, but there haven’t been any major accidents. Todd and Trigg County dispatch report snow-covered roads, but few problems called in overnight, likely due to most people getting home and staying there.

Christian County Emergency Management Director Randy Graham issued a statement early this morning urging anyone who can stay home to do so. He says city, county and state officials are doing everything they can to make travel easier and safer.

Sgt. Vanderkolk echoed Graham's sentiments.

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High temperatures in the low to mid- teens today will make the salt and brine solution road crews use almost ineffective. The wind chill will make it feel even colder, putting anyone outdoors with exposed skin in danger of frostbite.

Find a complete list of closings and cancellations and up to date weather information on our website, whopam.com.

A van needed help getting back on Greeenville Road Monday night/photo provided by David May