Kentucky remains under Extreme Cold Warning until 11 a.m. EST;
power outages have fallen significantly, road work continues
FRANKFORT, Ky. (Jan. 27, 2026) – Gov. Andy Beshear provided the latest update on response efforts to the weekend’s winter storm, along with Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) Secretary Jim Gray and Kentucky Emergency Management (KYEM) Director Eric Gibson. Dangerously cold temperatures pose a threat to Kentuckians as an Extreme Cold Warning remains in effect until 11 a.m. EST. Freezing temperatures will continue throughout the week.
“Kentuckians need to avoid being outdoors as much as possible as dangerously cold weather could cause frostbite or hypothermia in as little as 10 minutes,” said Gov. Beshear. “As for response efforts, we’ve made great progress thanks to folks being prepared but roadways are still very slick due to ice. We need everyone to drive slowly and have weather kits in your car. We’ve made it through the worst of this storm, and we need everyone to stay safe during the extreme cold this week.”
State highway crews have worked through the weekend, and many primary routes are now passable. Secondary routes remain a challenge as cold weather persists. Since Friday, state and contracted plow crews have tracked 670,000 miles, enough to circle the earth more than 26 times.
Power Outages and Warming Centers: There were 27,894 reported power outages as of 8 a.m. EST, down from around 73,590 at the height of outages Sunday. Utility crews, with the assistance of neighboring cooperatives, contractors and resources from Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Ohio, have worked 24/7 to restore power as quickly as possible.
Over 950 people sheltered in warming centers Monday night. Kentucky currently has 130 warming centers set up across the commonwealth for those facing an outage. To find a warming center near you, or if you need additional assistance, visit kyem.ky.gov.
Kentucky State Parks Warming Centers:
- Blue Licks Battlefield State Resort Park lodge (Carlisle)
- Buckhorn Lake State Resort Park lodge (Buckhorn)
- Carter Caves State Resort Park lodge (Olive Hill)
- General Butler State Resort Park lobby and mezzanine (Carrollton)
- Greenbo Lake State Resort Park lodge (Greenup)
- Jenny Wiley State Resort Park conference center (Prestonsburg)
- Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park lodge (Gilbertsville)
- Kincaid Lake State Resort Park conference center (Falmouth)
- My Old Kentucky Home State Park visitor center (Bardstown)
- Natural Bridge State Resort Park Woodlands Center (Slade)
- Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park lodge (Dawson Springs)
- Rough River Dam State Resort Park lodge (Falls of Rough)
If traveling to a state park, please exercise caution, as roadways and park grounds have also been impacted by the weather.
For park updates, visit parks.ky.gov/inclement-weather.
Current Weather Conditions: While snow and ice have moved out of the state, Kentucky is under an Extreme Cold Warning until 11 a.m. EST today. The Governor encouraged Kentuckians to stay indoors as much as possible and limit outdoor exposure. Even 10-30 minutes outside could cause frostbite or hypothermia.
Dangerously cold temperatures are forecast to continue through this week. A cold weather advisory continues through tonight with dangerous wind chills for days to come.
Fatalities: A 72-year-old female in Whitley County has passed away due to weather-related circumstances.
“We want this family to know our thoughts and prayers are with them,” said Gov. Beshear. “Kentucky, please continue to check in on your neighbors and make sure folks have what they need to stay safe.”
KYTC: Crews continue to address ice and snow on roadways today. The storm’s exit yesterday plus daylight warmth helped activate deicing agents mixed with salt to help crews make progress on primary routes critical for emergency response.
Today, plows continue to make passes on routes where refreezing occurred overnight on wet pavement and ramps. More progress is expected on primary and secondary routes. Travelers are cautioned to still limit travel, slow down and leave plenty of stopping distance between vehicles as ice patches are likely on bare pavement given the extreme cold.
“The hard work of our crews, boosted by sunshine, is helping get our interstates and parkways in better shape in light of overnight refreezing of moisture on the road,” said Secretary Gray. “Do not abandon caution if you see bare pavement, as icy patches may still exist. We expect to make passes on more secondary routes today, but it will take time to work through the snowpack and thick ice. Fewer cars on the road helps give our crews room to work using heavy equipment so we still ask Kentuckians to avoid travel if they can.”
Drivers are urged to carry an emergency kit of life-saving essentials should they be stranded. Visit snowky.ky.gov for driver tips and resources, like traffic cams. Travel conditions are available on the GoKy map.
Most Driver Licensing Regional Offices reopened at 10 a.m. today. Kentuckians are encouraged to consider postponing walk-in visits until later in the week for a faster experience should staffing be lighter at locations with severe road conditions. Some licensing services can be completed by mail or online. To check eligibility and services, as well as status of local offices, visit drive.ky.gov.
KYEM: KYEM has received and responded to 400 calls to the rapid needs assessment line, 502-607-6665.
KYEM also received and responded to 346 resource requests from local officials and partners, most frequently for generators, drinking water, ready-to-eat meals, essential personnel transport and cut and toss teams to clear roadways in areas that are hard to reach.
Kentucky National Guard: The Governor said the state has had 3,000 Guard members at the ready throughout this storm, and he will likely decrease that number to about 1,000 members today. Guard members have completed wellness checks, transported essential personnel safely, helped with a hotel evacuation, and are on call to assist motorists if a highway is backed up.
Kentucky State Police (KSP): KSP telecommunicators have received 6,679 calls for service related to the winter storm, an increase of 1,816 since yesterday morning. They have also conducted 364 wellness checks and responded to 521 requests for motorist assistance.
Water and Wastewater Systems: Crews are working to maintain service to drinking and wastewater systems in light of power outages and freezing waterlines. Statewide, one drinking water system is not operational, while 12 are on limited operations. Several line breaks have prompted boil water advisories for 7,449 customers. Approximately 1,900 are without water.
Emergency Declaration: On Friday, the Governor issued a state of emergency declaration, activating state resources to help protect Kentucky communities and families. The state’s Emergency Operations Center has been activated to Level 2, and emergency support functions staff are on standby and ready for increased activation.
Gov. Beshear also implemented the state’s price gouging laws to protect families from grossly overpriced goods and services. With the state of emergency in place, consumers in the commonwealth can report price gouging to the Office of the Attorney General. Under state law, price gougers can be held accountable.
On Saturday, Gov. Beshear announced via his social media that President Trump approved an emergency disaster declaration making federal aid immediately available. Yesterday, the Governor clarified that is not individual assistance, but federal support to help the state respond.
Safety Tips: The Governor warned Kentuckians to take breaks while shoveling, noting that the state lost six people in 2025 to snow removal incidents. Click here for shoveling safety tips.
If you are using a generator, keep it outside and 20 feet away from your home.
When To Call 911: If you have an emergency or life-threatening situation, dial 911 for immediate assistance.
Rapid Needs Assessment: If you have immediate needs that are not life-threatening, please complete the Rapid Needs Assessment Form or call 502-607-6665. These needs include: power is out or inconsistent; no heat or very little heat; individuals with medical needs or disabilities; no food or unable to cook; no or very little drinking water; unable to leave house due to weather or lack of transportation; phone issues; unable to leave vehicle; checking on a loved one; and more.
For additional preparedness tips, visit kyem.ky.gov.
Disaster Distress Hotline: The Disaster Distress Helpline is a 24/7, year-round, confidential crisis counseling and emotional support resource for survivors, responders and anyone in the U.S./territories struggling with distress or other mental health concerns related to any natural or human-caused disaster.