Winter Storm Update: Hardin County Government

Winter Storm Update w/ Brian Walker, Communications Director of Hardin County Government

[00:00] – Kevin Jaggers
94.3 The Wolf, bringing you the latest information on the winter storm. On the phone with me right now is Brian Walker, communications director for Hardin County Government. Brian, how’s it going?

[00:13] – Brian Walker
It’s coming down everywhere across Wolf Country, so folks can tell we’re getting snow. Here’s what’s changed from yesterday: we’ve been speaking with the National Weather Service and meteorologists across the region. The storm was expected to start with light flurries overnight—

[00:31] – Kevin Jaggers
Right.

[00:32] – Brian Walker
—and then really pick up around 7:00 this morning. Yesterday’s projections showed several inches on the ground by now with heavier snow. What we’re seeing instead is that everything is about six hours behind schedule. The storm is moving much slower than expected. Once it really starts coming down, it will likely take longer to move through the area. We’re still projected to get close to a foot of snow over the next several days.

[01:02] – Kevin Jaggers
One thing we saw on the Hardin County Sheriff’s Facebook page is that roadways are starting to get covered. We’re advising everyone—if you can stay home, that’s the best course of action. What other advice do you have for residents?

[01:22] – Brian Walker
Bring your pets inside. If it’s too cold for you, it’s too cold for them. If you have outdoor pets or livestock, make sure they have fresh water—it’s well below freezing and dropping quickly. If you have to go outside, bundle up. Frostbite can happen fast in these temperatures.

If you’re shoveling snow, don’t overexert yourself. Shoveling is extremely strenuous and can lead to serious medical issues like heart attacks or strokes in worst-case scenarios. We’ll also see more slip-and-fall injuries than usual because icy sidewalks aren’t something people deal with every day. You really have to be smart and plan ahead. The best advice is simple: stay home.

Our road department will begin scraping county roads in the next couple of hours. You can’t effectively scrape half an inch to an inch of snow—it doesn’t help. Hardin County alone has 568 miles of county roads, not including Fort Knox or city streets. It takes about 12 to 14 hours to cover that entire system with one crew. Once they finish, they have to rest before coming back. We want to time this so the work is as effective as possible. It’s a moving target, but everything that can be done is being done. We just ask for patience.

[03:17] – Kevin Jaggers
On the phone with Brian Walker from Hardin County Government. You also shared that during the snow and ice storm, concerns about snow removal, road closures, and warming centers should be reported to the Emergency Operations Center. That number is 270-765-5978. More warming centers could open as the storm continues, correct?

[03:42] – Brian Walker
Yes. If we lose power and temperatures stay below freezing—which they will—we’ll open additional warming centers. We use the term “center,” not “shelter,” because this isn’t a place to camp out. It’s a place to warm up, get a cup of coffee, charge your phone, and then make arrangements to stay somewhere warm if needed.

[04:10] – Kevin Jaggers
We’ll also be watching the Hardin County Government Facebook page. You all also use the RAVE app, correct?

[04:18] – Brian Walker
Yes—RAVE and TextMyGov. Go to hardincountyky.gov to sign up for both. They’re free, and we only send alerts during emergencies—road closures, severe weather, or critical updates. These alerts come straight to your phone. Our website also links directly to the National Weather Service for real-time updates. Between our Facebook page and website, those are reliable resources people can count on.

[05:04] – Kevin Jaggers
Exactly right. Even outside of Hardin County, those are valuable resources for everyone in Wolf Country. Brian Walker with Hardin County Government—thanks so much, man.

[05:19] – Brian Walker
Thank you, Kevin Jaggers. Wolf Country, stay safe out there.

Winter Storm Update