A lone car travels along Memorial Drive in Hazard Friday morning. A round of sleet followed by freezing rain have made the roadways in Perry and surrounding counties hazardous. (photo by Cris Ritchie | Hazard Herald)
City employees Bill Sizemore (right) and Wendell Bryant spread a de-icing agent on the walk in front of Hazard City Hall Friday morning. Freezing rain left a sheet of ice on sidewalks, bridges, and roadways. (photo by Cris Ritchie | Hazard Herald)
A round of sleet followed by freezing rain fell in the county early Friday morning, causing dangerous conditions along Highway 80 and Ky. 15, as well as secondary and county roads. Crews with the state highway department were working to treat the different priority routes in the county.
Hazard Police Chief Minor Allen estimated that his department had responded to 15 motor vehicle accidents by 10:30 a.m., and his officers were continuing to check on stranded motorists.
“It’s been pretty hectic so far, and still going on,” Allen said.
Karen Boggs, with the Perry County Sheriff’s Office, said approximately eight accidents had been called into the sheriff’s office, including one involving a tractor-trailer on Ky. 15 that halted traffic temporarily.
“Fifteen North has been our big problem today,” Boggs said.
The local forecast called for precipitation to taper off during the afternoon, while Allen advised people keep off the roads as they remain hazardous.
“Stay off the roadways unless it’s some kind of emergency, because it is definitely slick and hazardous out there, nothing to be taken lightly,” he said. “We’re having a hard time moving around.”
Classes in Perry County and Hazard were called off early Friday, while the campus at Hazard Community and Technical College was set to close at 1 p.m. due to the weather.
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