January 30, 200917 yr I'm not sure how much you all know, but the far western part of the state has been decimated by this ice storm. We in Hopkinsville were on the cusp of the damage and while my house only lost power for about 4 hours on Tuesday, others were not so lucky. People have been told it will be up to 3 weeks before they get power and the shelters and motels are full. Hopkinsville has been overrun by people from surrounding areas looking for gasoline, water and kerosene. Yesterday afternoon Ft. Campbell Boulevard that runs through Hoptown was a virtual traffic jam, with waits up to one hour because of the traffic. I never would have believed that was possible. Surrounding areas have run out of water because the treatment plants do not have power to run. Here is an email I received this morning from a woman in Marshall County. She is a childhood friend of my sister in law and it illustrates how desperate the situation is there. Here it is with some identifying details removed. Hello Friends, I really don't know when I will be able to email you guys again. They are talking about us not having power for up to 2-3 months. It is the most horrific thing I have ever experienced in my life. The storm began for us on Monday night. We woke up to about 1/2 inch of ice on Tuesday and no electricity. For us this means no phone, cable tv, internet service. Well then late Tuesday night the cell phone tower was demolished by the 2nd wave of ice and snow this time. As of now we still have no power, no phone (home or cell) no refrigeration, no tv or internet. So we are totally isolated other than the transister radio we are now relying on for local information. There are very few stores open and no gas stations open because they don't work anyway because there is no electricity to pump the gas. Our Wal-mart is even closed. Thank goodness we had plenty of groceries, but now everything has ruined in the fridge and freezer and they have been completely cleaned out. My husband and I have come to Nashville with the boys this morning, but will be going back home tomorrow night. Our neighbors are watching our cats and our home and our Vet was gracious enough to care for our dog until Saturday morning. We plan on stocking up on nonperishable items tomorrow and lots of water. They have already run out of water in Madisonville, KY and it is a strong possibility where we are. Apparently the equipment that needs to be repaired is part of TVA and it is under water and isn't able to be repaired at this time. This is part of the power grid that supplies us with power. Please pray for our community. It looks like a war zone. I have never seen anything like this in my life and I pray that we never do again. The trees are mutilated by the build up of ice and all of my Japanese maples and pine trees are destroyed. I am so sad, but also so relieved that we are all safe. It is such a mix of emotions. Today I was stressed about my husband's insulin, but the Walmart here in Nashville was so kind to fill his prescription even though they were having trouble confirming his information. When I am able to send pictures to you guys I will. Please pray for all those displaced by the horrible storm. Thank you.
January 30, 200917 yr I have an Aunt and Uncle outside of Paducah, near KY Lake. They have been without power, phone or cell service since Monday night. Our prayers go out to everyone hurt by this storm.
January 30, 200917 yr We got it bad in Henderson so I can't imagine how bad it is in the Madisonville, Princeton, Marshall Co. area. I still don't have power at home but thankfully my parent's power was restored Wednesday evening. We have been staying there until they get ours fixed. My neighborhood looks like a bomb went off and I will most likely have to have two large Maple trees taken out of my back yard. At least what hasn't already fallen in on the ground. I really feel for the people in those areas. Even though at one time 80% of Henderson was with out power we never lost water and there was always some gas stations and resturants with power. I couldn't imagine if everything was out.
January 30, 200917 yr Prayers from NKY. My uncle and aunt live in Murray and they have told us of the devastation that has taken place. I hope everything can get fixed soon as I feel for those affected.
January 30, 200917 yr Hello Friends, I really don't know when I will be able to email you guys again. They are talking about us not having power for up to 2-3 months. . Months? Or should that be weeks? Months can't be right.
January 30, 200917 yr Months? Or should that be weeks? Months can't be right. Even if it was a mistake, 2-3 WEEKS is still pretty bad.
January 30, 200917 yr Even if it was a mistake, 2-3 WEEKS is still pretty bad. No question. 2-3 months sounds like a 3rd world country.
January 30, 200917 yr Author Months? Or should that be weeks? Months can't be right. I'm sure the people in western Kentucky hope that you are correct.
January 30, 200917 yr Heartfelt prayers to these people and my compassion for what they are going through. Edited January 30, 200917 yr by True blue (and gold)
January 30, 200917 yr It's really bad here guys. Only a couple of gas stations open in Paducah, and they are cash only. Lines are backed up for forever. Wal-mart even closed down for a bit and the other Wal-mart was only allowing 25 people in at a time. It's not been fun at all, fortunately I live close to the mall and I've had power back for the most part since Thursday morning with a few periods where it goes out. This morning I had to make my way out to rural Crittenden Co. to take my mom water, and groceries. Luckily they have a Generator large enough to power most of the house
January 30, 200917 yr It was estimated this morning that the storm knocked power out for over 600,000 residences/businesses, the highest number of outages at one time in Kentucky's history. Approximately 70,000 broken poles, ..... just at the electric cooperatives and not counting the investor owned utilities (like KU etc). Estill County looks like a war zone. Muhlenburg County officials are asking people to leave the area. I have relatives in L'ville with no power. It is just plain awful. Thoughts and prayers to all impacted by this horrific storm.
January 30, 200917 yr It was estimated this morning that the storm knocked power out for over 600,000 residences/businesses, the highest number of outages at one time in Kentucky's history. Approximately 70,000 broken poles, ..... just at the electric cooperatives and not counting the investor owned utilities (like KU etc). Estill County looks like a war zone. Muhlenburg County officials are asking people to leave the area. I have relatives in L'ville with no power. It is just plain awful. Thoughts and prayers to all impacted by this horrific storm. The story I read said Kenergy had an estimate of 2000 poles down.
January 30, 200917 yr The story I read said Kenergy had an estimate of 2000 poles down. And that is just one of many utilities. I don't envy the work these folks are doing and will continue to do. Kenergy and the other utilities will have a TON of employees on OT trying to get everyone back on.
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