Kentucky Emergency Management
COMMONWEALTH EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER ACTIVATED TO LEVEL II

Press Release Date:  Friday, March 02, 2012  
Contact Information:  Contact: Buddy Rogers work - 502-607-1611 cell - 502-382-6006  


FRANKFORT, KY. (March 2, 2012) – Kentucky Emergency Management (KYEM) will activate the Commonwealth Emergency Operations Center (CEOC) to Level II in response to a severe weather system expected to move into the central regions of the Commonwealth today. At Level II, the CEOC is staffed with additional KYEM support staff and personnel from the National Weather Service (NWS). The CEOC tracks and maintains situational awareness and response to requests for assistance.

KYEM and emergency officials began communicating with Governor Steve Beshear’s office, the NWS and statewide emergency officials yesterday, discussing the possibility of severe weather from another storm weather system that is expected to impact Kentucky today. This system brings the risk of severe thunderstorms, large hail, heavy rain, dangerous lightning and possible strong tornadoes.

Kentucky was hit hard by similar storms Wednesday when bad weather spawned at least 12 tornadoes causing widespread damage and several injuries. The NWS has upgraded the risk for severe weather from moderate to high as conditions continue to develop.

"This could be a particularly dangerous situation as this weather system develops later today," said John Heltzel, director of KYEM, "We are already seeing NWS warnings being issued ahead of the main threat as the system moves into the Commonwealth. People need to be aware and prepared to take immediate action if necessary."

Flooding may occur in low-lying areas from heavy rains associated with this storm. If you encounter water over a roadway remember – "STOP TURN AROUND DON’T DROWN!"

If you encounter down power lines, DO NOT APPROACH, call your local utility provider or call 911.

Avoid travel in damaged areas, stay indoors and continue to monitor your local media and NOAA Weather Alert Radio.

Road conditions throughout the state can be found on the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet's website at www.511.ky.gov or by calling 511 in Kentucky or 1-866-737-3767 for out-of-state callers.

Additional information, including weather safety tips and links to weather sites can be found at www.kyem.ky.gov and www.weather.gov .

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