Barren Emergency Management Director Provides Storm Updates
Farmers RECC repairs power lines amid Winter Storm Fern. Photo/FRECC
By Allyson Dix, Managing Editor/Barren County Progress
Glasgow/Barren Emergency Management announced Sunday afternoon that Emergency Operations Command (EOC) had been partially activated to coordinate needs and response efforts.
On Monday, Emergency Management Director Garland Gilliam said the operations center had downgraded to mobile command due to no longer needing the EOC location open.
The Emergency Operations Command is established to activate coordinated efforts with utilities. The command center, Gilliam said, consisted of the Kentucky Emergency Management, the National Guard Joint-Operations Center, the Local Emergency Management, and the Judge/Executive’s office.
Gilliam said around 3,200 people were still without power shortly after 10 a.m. on Monday morning between Farmers RECC and Tri-County Electric, a reduction from approximately 5,000 in the county around noon on Sunday.
“There were multiple trees down on power lines and roadways,” Gilliam said. “The county road department had to divide and conquer between plowing and salting and tree removal off of roadways.”
The National Guard and KY Division of Forestry have assisted with clearing roadways and access paths for utilities with teams that “cut and toss” trees to provide access, Gilliam said.
With roadways becoming frozen sheets of ice instead of snow, Gilliam said Monday’s challenges for the county is trying to clear the roads.
“Crews are spreading salt to help melt the ice, but it’s so cold that the melting process is hindered. Not much plowing can be done today because the ice is so thick and hard,” he explained.
Gilliam encourages the public to be patient and check on your neighbors.
“Utility crews are working as fast as they can in the cold frozen tundra that we have right now. Avoid travel if at all possible. Check on your neighbors, and provide a warm place for those that need it,” Gilliam encourages.
It truly takes a village to combat the winter storm and as the leader of the local county emergency management, Gilliam said there are so many to extend appreciation to in the village.
“The state, city, and county road crews have been working diligently, and we are so grateful for them,” Garland said. “Our fire departments have been out responding to calls, clearing trees, and transporting people when they could – they are awesome. The Governor’s office has checked on us several times and expedited resources from the National Guard to help transport nurses to the healthcare facilities. Judge Jamie Byrd and Mayor Henry Royse have been in contact with state officials, and we are thankful for their leadership.”
