By David Schmoll
Murray, KY – Wintry weather has blanketed the Purchase area today leaving many without access to transportation and some without power. Many schools dismissed classes early, and Murray State University ceased business operations at 3pm as Calloway County experienced what Calloway's Director of Emergency Management Bill Call describes as surprisingly slippery conditions.
"We have snow cover, about 4-6 inches. We've probably had more snowfall than that, but it's compacted down as its come," Call says. "At the bottom of that snow seems to be is a layer of ice and it makes it surprisingly slippery out there, more than you would think by just looking at the amount of snow; it's surprisingly slippery and dangerous."
As of 3:15, West Kentucky Rural Electric reports 200 residents without power with most of them in Calloway County and some in Marshall. West Kentucky Rural Electric says power should be restored quickly.
In Marshall County the weather has caused multiple vehicles to slide off the roads, but nothing serious. EMS employees will be working extended hours to assist with the ongoing weather crisis and warming shelters are preparing for the possibility of mass outages.
"The centers have been put on standby and the contacts have been put on standby, the supplies are ready to go and we have our plan in place," Marshall County Director of Emergency Management Melissa Combs says.
In Cadiz, 25 substations of Pennyrile Electric are without power. The company says the large amount of snow on electrical lines is causing the outage. Crews have been dispatched to the area, but no timetable has been given for when power will return to the area.