Kentucky workers slept on-site to 'take care of our neighbors' during winter storm

Valarie Honeycutt Spears, Lexington Herald-Leader on Jan 26, 2026

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When Winter Storm Fern left Kentucky roads covered in snow and ice, Kentucky State Police dispatchers and Knott County health care workers stayed on the job overnight, sleeping on-site.

The storm left significant snow and ice accumulation, also bringing temperatures well below freezing. Lexington and Louisville each saw nearly 6 inches of snow, according to the National Weather Service. KSP dispatchers answered 4,863 calls from noon Saturday to Monday. Troopers also made 327 welfare checks and helped 413 motorists during that time, KSP officials said.

“Our KSP telecommunicators have been answering the call around the clock,” KSP said in a social media post Monday.

Photos posted to social media showed the “reality behind the scenes: air mattresses, couches, and cots at post locations so our telecommunicators can stay close and continue serving without pause,” the post said. “Every call for help from Kentuckians impacted by the storm is met with calm voices, quick thinking, and unwavering commitment.”

“We are incredibly grateful for these professionals who put service first, even when it means sleeping on-site to keep Kentucky safe,” KSP said in its Facebook post.

Workers at Knott County Health and Rehabilitation Center in Hindman took the same steps as the KSP dispatchers, staying at work overnight, the facility said in a social media post.

“Employees from every department are bedding at the facility with smiles on their faces, ensuring our precious residents get the excellent care they always deserve, no matter the storm,” the Facebook post said.

Jessica Hall, the administrator of the facility, told the Herald-Leader Monday that the “staff’s commitment to providing the upmost care to our residents, especially in times of emergencies like this weekend’s snow and ice storm, is not out of the ordinary. “

“That’s because the residents are like family to our employees, which is why they were dedicated enough to stay at the facility to make sure our residents were well taken care of during the storm. We take care of our neighbors in Eastern Kentucky, in good times and in times of emergencies.”

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