Team coverage of the winter storm

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) - Gov. Andy Beshear and other state and local leaders continue to urge Kentuckians to stay off the roads.

Snow started falling just after 8 a.m. Sunday in the Lexington area, quickly making roads dangerous for travel, followed by ice later in the day for many places, making the situation even worse.

Between midnight and 11 a.m. today, the Lexington Police Department responded to seven non-injury collisions, one injury collision, 52 traffic hazards, 11 escorts and 55 calls for motorist assistance. If travel is essential, drivers should allow themselves plenty of time to reach their destination. Motorists are reminded to drive slowly, increase following distance, and be on the lookout for black ice.

Beshear held a briefing Monday morning to give an update on the situation:

The winter storm caused power outages for tens of thousands of Kentuckians across the commonwealth. Nearly 64,000 customers were out around 2 p.m. Monday.

“The bottom line is – we’ve got one day to try to get power back to as many Kentuckians as possible before the wind chill gets down close to zero,” said Gov. Beshear.

State highway crews continue to clear roads ranging from wet or slushy along Kentucky’s southern borders to snow-packed along the I-64 central corridor and northern river counties.

The Fayette County Sheriff’s Office has announced it is activating its Winter Care program. The Fayette County Sheriff’s Office offers several services to residents while the program is active.

Many Kentucky schools have already issued cancellations or delays. FCPS has announced that school will be closed on Tuesday and Wednesday for traditional snow days.

This is a developing story.