Officials Urge Residents to Stay Safe at Home During Severe Winter Weather

January 23, 2026

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PIKEVILLE, Ky. — With a winter storm expected to hit this weekend, emergency management officials are reminding residents that preparation is key to staying safe.

Officials encourage people to stay home if possible, but stress that being prepared at home requires extra planning to keep it stocked, safe, and secure.

“When this snowfall starts, make sure you’re prepared and have everything you need so you don’t have to get out on the roadways,” said Pike County Emergency Management Director Nee Jackson.

Kentucky Emergency Management officials advise residents to stay weather-aware. While forecasts can change, having an emergency plan in place and preparing for extreme conditions is critical, even if it’s ultimately not needed.

“These are things you can do today while you still have power and heat,” Jackson said. “This is when you want to prepare in case the worst-case scenario happens.”

Storm preparedness tips:

Stock up on important medications and several days of ready-to-eat, nonperishable food
Keep batteries, flashlights, alternative power sources, water, snacks, blankets, and warm layered clothing on hand
Ensure cell phones are fully charged
Use kerosene or propane heating safely and only as intended for indoor use
Check that all smoke detectors, fire alarms, and carbon monoxide detectors are working with fresh batteries
Keep fireplaces and heaters clear of flammable items; never plug electric heaters into extension cords or power strips
Ensure chimneys are cleaned before use

Vehicle safety:

Keep gas tanks full for potential travel or as an emergency heat source
Park vehicles away from trees and power lines to avoid damage from snow, ice, or falling limbs

Jackson reminded residents that freezing temperatures mean little natural melting will occur, increasing the risk of ice accumulation. Any downed power lines should be treated as live and reported immediately.

Additional tips include freezing bottles of water to use as ice packs to preserve food, designating a “warm room” to retain heat, and using blankets or other insulators to block doorways and windows.

For outdoor activities such as shoveling or recreational fun, Jackson recommends dressing in layers and taking breaks to avoid overexertion.

Pike County residents are encouraged to sign up for the Hyper-Reach alert system to receive the latest emergency updates from local officials.

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