Massive Ice Storm Hits Area

Here are just a few articles from this historic weather event. 

(Courtesy Paducah Sun & The Associated Press)

Police, FEMA respond to massive Midwest ice storm

Gov. Steve Beshear, left, talks with McCracken County Sheriff Jon Hayden as they view a road lined with downed trees and power lines in Paducah, Ky. Because phone and Internet service has been spotty, deputies have trekked door-to-door in many communities to let people know where shelters are. (AP Photo)

By Kristin M. Hall
The Associated Press

January 30, 2009

PADUCAH, Ky. — Utility crews made some progress Friday in restoring power to the more than 1.3 million homes and businesses darkened by an ice storm that crippled states from Missouri to West Virginia, but thousands were still bunking in toasty shelters because their homes had no water or heat.

Deputies trekked door-to-door in many communities to let people know where shelters were, forced to spread the word the old-fashioned way because cell phone and Internet service was spotty. In some towns, volunteers checked to make sure their elderly and disabled neighbors were all right.

Many Kentucky hotels offering discounted "power outage rates" reported being fully booked with people escaping frosty neighborhoods. Those who hunkered down in their homes face long lines to buy generators, firewood, groceries - even bottled water because power outages crippled local pumping stations.

Truckloads of ready-to-eat meals, water and generators from the Federal Emergency Management Agency were expected to arrive Friday at a staging area in Fort Campbell, Ky., said Mary Hudak, a spokeswoman for FEMA's southeast region.

Since the storm began Monday, the weather has been blamed for at least 35 deaths, including six in Texas, nine in Arkansas, three in Virginia, six in Missouri, two in Oklahoma, two in Indiana, two in West Virginia, three in Kentucky and one in Ohio. Emergency officials feared that toll could rise if people stay in their homes without power for too long, because improper use of generators can cause carbon monoxide poisoning.

Copyright 2009 Associated Press

Armory, the latest to offer shelter from chill

Saturday, January 31, 2009

Approximately 300 people stayed the night at the National Guard Armory at Barkley Regional Airport on Thursday night, including about 150 National Guardsmen from Paducah and Greenville.

The Paducah chapter of the American Red Cross closed its shelter at Margaret Hank Memorial Cumberland Presbyterian Church on Thursday and move people to the armory because it had power and the church was working on a generator.

Jennifer Smith of Paducah spent the night at the shelter with her 88-year-old father, Bill Malcolm.

"We stayed the first two nights at home, but I was worried about not having heat (for my father)," Smith said. "I'm afraid there's quite a few elderly sitting in the cold. It's scary. If you were an elderly person living by yourself, what would you do? It gives me a new appreciation of what people went through with (Hurricane) Katrina."

Chasity Johnson is staying at the shelter with her six children, ages 11 to 18 months.

"I live on Kentucky Avenue and we got so cold, I started walking towards the hospital," Johnson said. "We didn't get cots until midnight. The elderly and sick are getting them first. I'm from the Chicago area and this is the most disorganized disaster I've ever seen in my life. They're doing the best they can, I guess."

Amy Lewis came to the shelter after someone saw the sign she put in her window for help. McCracken County Sheriff Jon Hayden had asked people to place signs in their windows or on their mail boxes if they needed assistance.

"We lost power Monday night and we were without power until we got a ride out here (Thursday) night," she said.

Heidi Cox of the Red Cross said cots were expected to arrive at the shelter by midday Friday. The National Red Cross is supposed to arrive in Paducah in the next few days, she said.

People staying at the shelter need to bring their own blankets, pillows and other necessities.

Cox said donations of food from local businesses would be appreciated. Volunteers are also asked to show up at the armory to relieve other workers.

Other shelters and warming centers in Paducah are located at Trinity Baptist Church, New Covenant Church, First Baptist Church and Open Door Baptist Church.

Other shelters in the region include Ledbetter United Methodist Church; First Baptist Church in Fulton; South Fulton Baptist Church; Crittenden County Elementary; Cadiz Baptist Church; Trigg County Schools; Caldwell County Hospital and Caldwell County Emergency Operations Center in Princeton; Calvert City City Hall; Benton Community Center; Benton First Missionary Baptist Church; and Hardin Community Center.

Shelters in Ballard County are set up at the La Center Fire Department, T.J.'s Barbecue and the Wickliffe Masonic Lodge. About 100 people stayed at all three shelters on Thursday night.

Carlisle County shelters include the fire department and Bethlehem Baptist Church in Cunningham and Bardwell Baptist Church.

Angie Kinsey can be contacted at 575-8657.

By Bill Bartleman bbartleman@paducahsun.com--270.575.8651

Saturday, January 31, 2009

“Stay home.”

That’s the order from law enforcement authorities in McCracken County who say emergency efforts to deal with the ice storm are being hampered by sightseers.

Chief Deputy Sheriff Mike Turnbow said deputies on patrol Friday reported people driving around just to see the damage.

“We had people standing on the side of the road with video cameras recording the damage,” Turnbow said Friday during a meeting of McCracken County emergency workers.

“People should stay home, stay away and give emergency crews a chance to do their work.”

McCracken County will join Paducah in imposing a revised curfew for nonessential travel from 11 p.m. until 6 a.m. It replaces an early dusk-to-dawn curfew that had been in place in Paducah.

Mayor Bill Paxton said the curfew does not affect people driving to the store, work, to buy gasoline or for any other legitimate purpose. He said there was a misunderstanding that the earlier curfew required businesses to close. “We just didn’t want people out for no reason,” he said.

Kelly Nuckols, president of Jackson Purchase Energy, said the misunderstanding for the curfew caused problems for some power crews in Paducah to help make repairs to the system.

“After working all day, they went to a restaurant at 8 p.m. and were told they had to close because of the curfew,” Nuckols said. “They weren’t happy, and were ready to go back to Michigan.”

He said a police officer was called and explained that the curfew didn’t require businesses to close, and the restaurant remained open.

Fuel deliveries

At the meeting, it was reported that gasoline supplies are increasing and that deliveries are being made to stations that have power and are open. It also was reported that local terminals have about 4 million gallons of fuel waiting to be delivered.

Deliveries of kerosene should resume today. Only the Ashland terminal in Reidland had kerosene, and it was closed because access was blocked by downed trees and the terminal had no power. Roads were open and a generator was being installed Friday to allow for deliveries.

Paducah Water

Paducah Water Manager Glen Anderson said all pumps and filtration equipment are working, and that there are no boil water orders for the customers it serves in McCracken County.

He said customers in the Reidland area should conserve water for a couple of days as storage tanks refill. The lack of electricity caused some pumping stations to be out of service for several days.

Sewer service

Sewer service provided by JSA that serves McCracken County has not been interrupted. Power was expected to be back on at remaining lift stations late Friday.

However, there have been problems with small plants that serve a few small subdivisions, JSA spokesman John Hodges said. He said there has been no power to the small treatment plants which is causing raw sewage to appear in ditches along the side of the roads.

Law enforcement

Acting Paducah police Chief Sandy Joslyn said there were no break-ins, robberies or assaults reported on Thuesday night or Friday morning, a contract to the previous night when five robberies were reported.

She said, however, there were several domestic calls, noting that some tempers are getting short from being together for several days.

Sheriff Jon Hayden said residents who are in need of some sort of help but can’t make calls should put a note in a window or a note on their mailbox. He said officers are watching out for such notes in their patrols.

Police also urge residents not to call 911 unless they have an emergency. Non-emergency calls should be made to 444-8550 or 444-4719.

Bill Bartleman can be contacted at 575-7651.

Waiting at stations leaves tempers flaring, many still searching for fuel

By Steve Vantreese svantreese@paducahsun.com--270.575.8684

Saturday, January 31, 2009

Gasoline sales edged higher in fits and starts Friday as power restoration brought more stations back to pumpability — complicated by the crush of demand at the relative few working outlets available.

Long lines and temporary sell-outs apparently remained common at various sites around Paducah.

"We've still had some problems at gas stations," McCracken County Sheriff Jon Hayden said Friday. "Tempers have been flaring are people have been cutting in front of one another."

Hayden reiterated an assessment from earlier in the fuel squeeze: "This is not a supply problem; it's a distribution problem. There is not a shortage of gas."

State Rep. Brent Housman (R-Paducah), speaking at a meeting of emergency services representatives for Paducah and McCracken County, said, "We received a barge of 840,000 gallons (of gasoline) at TransMontaigne (Thursday) night."

Housman said fuel available at distributors is adequate to support retail outlets as it becomes possible to keep retailers pumping from full reservoirs. He said both Midwest Terminal and TransMontaigne Terminaling have been working around the clock.

Law enforcement officers have continued to monitor activities at open gas stations, directing the flow of traffic through the pumping sites and keeping order when patience has worn thin.

Five Star Food Mart #7675 on Wayne Sullivan Drive, inundated by inquires like other fuel outlets, simply answered its phone calls with a recording that the station, open until 5 p.m., has gasoline, diesel fuel and kerosene.

Lines of dozens of cars and waits of 20 minutes to an hour to reach pumps at open stores were common Friday.

Reports indicate that some retailers were exhausting immediate supplies of gasoline — but replenishing supplies were being trucked to them by distributors.

Steve Vantreese can be contacted at 575-8684.

Curfews remain as utility crews slowly light up region

By C.D. Bradley cdbradley@paducahsun.com--270.575.8617

Sunday, February 01, 2009

Paducah Mayor Bill Paxton and McCracken County Judge-Executive Van Newberry said Saturday that an 11 p.m.-to-sunrise curfew remained in effect.

Their update was part of a daily briefing at the McCracken emergency operations center at Reidland.

Exemptions to the curfew include emergency workers and people seeking food, shelter or supplies. Alcohol sales will end at 10:30 p.m.

Updates from the Saturday briefing include:

Power

Andrea Underwood, Paducah Power System’s spokeswoman, said about 17,000 of PPS’ 22,500 customers had power, but those still without would be tougher to restore. Underwood also asked the public to call the main office at 575-4000 with any questions about their service. Asking crews while trying to restore power slows down that work, she said.

Kelly Nuckols, president of Jackson Purchase Energy, said the utility was still fighting transmission problems. He estimated about 8,000 of JPEC’s 30,000 customers had power Saturday morning. He also estimated the storm broke 500 to 1,000 poles. For more information on JPEC, call 442-7321.

Other utilities

Glen Anderson of Paducah Water said operations were normal. No boil water orders have been in effect, and none are expected, he said.

John Hodges of the Paducah-McCracken County Joint Sewer Agency said all of the treatment plants and a majority of the pumping stations are working.

Law enforcement

McCracken County Sheriff Jon Hayden said gas was stolen from behind Morningside of Paducah assisted living overnight.

Paducah police acting Chief Sandy Joslyn said no burglaries were reported overnight.

Both Hayden and Joslyn said they were focusing patrols on areas without electricity.

C.D. Bradley can be contacted at 575-8617.

Weather Updates

Tuesday, February 03, 2009

Noble Park, Stuart Nelson Park and the Greenway Trail in Paducah closed.

Clients of Kentucky Lake Productions and ExploreKentuckyLake.com who do not have electricity or telecommunications can use its facilities to conduct business anytime this week. Call Shawn Dunnaway at 767-0707.

The U.S. Forest Service managers of Land Between the Lakes say even The Trace, the highway that runs the length of the public recreation area, is hazardous and closed to traffic.

For tips on using chainsaws, go to this Web site for a video on chainsaw use and tips: http://stihldealer.net/videolibrary/OnePlayer.aspx?v=3&vt=3&vb=0&id=3

Murray-Calloway County Hospital updates: Cafeteria back to normal; Center for Health & Wellness open; Group Fitness Classes uncertain; pool open; Primary Care Medical Center on 12th Street on normal hours; Murray Medical Associates on regular hours; Medical Arts Building open but call physician before coming; Marshall County Family Medical in Draffenville open regular hours starting at 8 a.m.; Albertson Family Medical in Benton on normal hours.

Western Baptist alerts: Heart Check, free screening scheduled Friday, postponed until Feb. 27 from 9 a.m. to noon in atrium of Doctors Office Building 2; continuing education course, “Robotics: The Now and the Future,” planned tonight is postponed; Baptist Home Health patients should call 575-2990.

AARP Tax Aide scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday at McCracken County Public Library cancelled. Resume Feb. 11.

Federal Emergency Management Agency providing food, water, generators and emergency communications equipment. Supplies were shipped to Fort Campbell and then moved to staging areas at military armories in Greenville and Paducah. Other details from Kirk Pickering, FEMA spokesman in Atlanta: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is directing installation of emergency generators and helping with clearing debris; U.S. Department of Transportation assisting Kentucky Transportation Cabinet in monitoring road conditions, airports, rail lines and transit systems; American Red Cross, Salvation Army and Southern Baptist Convention providing shelters and meals; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services, the Kentucky Hospital Association and agencies in other southeastern states surveying the status of medical facilities and the need for specialized medical care in shelters.

West Kentucky Community & Technical College faculty and staff report to work today; classes resume Wednesday.

Performance of “Ailey II” at WKCTC will go on as planned at 7:30 p.m. Friday. Performance for area high school and middle school students also will go on as scheduled at 10 a.m. Friday. Both at Clemens Fine Arts Center.

McCracken County deputy sheriffs and county volunteer fire departments are performing a door-to-door canvass in McCracken County.

“They’re starting on the outer circle and working back in, door to door,” Deputy Judge-Executive Doug Harnice said. National Guard troops are assisting.

Sheriff Jon Hayden said residents with emergencies or immediate needs should put sign in a window or the end of the driveway.

McCracken County Emergency Management Director Bob McGowan said teams are placing green tape on mailboxes where no one appears to be home or everyone reports they are OK. Red tape goes on mailboxes of those homes where people report trouble or daily checks are needed.

Marshall County Voluntary Agencies Active in Disaster has begun debris removal for at-risk and elderly homes in Marshall County. Volunteers should phone Wayne Workman at 703-3484.

Boil water order remains in effect for Murray Water customers.

Glendale Road Church of Christ in Murray providing food/water to Calloway residents without power beginning at 9 a.m. today. Meals on first-come basis from 3 to 6 p.m. for Calloway residents.

More calls coming in to police as storm wake continues

By Bill Bartleman bbartleman@paducahsun.com--270.575.8651

Wednesday, February 04, 2009

Police report receiving an increased number of calls for assaults, domestic violence and people who are angry because they are without power or some other vital service.

Many of the calls are related to a week of confinement because of last week’s ice storm.

Acting Paducah Police Chief Sandy Joslyn said police were called to the Paducah Power System office Monday to deal with angry customers. She encouraged patience and understanding, and for people to make an extra effort to get along and deal with the storm-related stress.

“Anger issues are taking away from the recovery issues,” she said.

Joslyn said Paducah police officers continued to work with others to check every household in the city and respond to any special needs.

Officers also have provided assistance in neighboring counties with small law enforcement agencies.

“We sent four officers to Crittenden County because we were told police there had worked 48 straight hours,” Joslyn said.

The city lifted its 11 p.m. to dawn curfew except for minors, but it is still in effect in areas of the county outside the city.

Sheriff Jon Hayden said two people were arrested so far for violating the curfew. The curfew is expected to remain in effect for several more days because people in some areas are without power and remain out of their homes, and to provide safety for utility crews working throughout the night.

Hayden also said that deputies and National Guard troops are continuing to do door-to-door welfare checks.

“If you need some type of assistance, put a red ribbon on your mailbox, and if you don’t need help, a green ribbon,” he said.

Joslyn and Hayden did add that they saw no increase in break-ins or unusual criminal activity Monday night or Tuesday morning.

Bill Bartleman can be contacted at 575-8651.