CHRISTIAN COUNTY, KY (CHRISTIAN COUNTY NOW) – “We are dangerously low on our salt supply,” said Oak Grove Public Works Director Brian Ahart during a recent city council meeting. Increased demand due to Winter Storm Fern coupled with multiple inches of ice lingering on roadways have caused salt supplies to dwindle in Christian County.
In response, Oak Grove is reserving what they have left for especially hazardous areas. Despite the slowly melting snow and improved conditions, officials shared that they are aware of slick conditions on several neighborhoods, parking lots, and secondary roads which have resulted in prolonged school closures throughout the county.
In another part of Christian County, Hopkinsville has also drastically depleted their salt stockpile. Hopkinsville Public Works Director Mike Perry told Christian County Now that they have applied around 1,400 tons of salt to city roads in the past two weeks and are currently waiting for more to come.
More salt on the way, response of city officials
“We made it through Snowmageddon,” said Oak Grove Mayor Jackie Oliver. It was disclosed that in portions of the city, ice remains so thick that it is still difficult for plows to effectively work. She and the Hopkinsville mayor both praised the efforts of road crews and emergency services, crediting them for working under extreme conditions.
“I know it hasn’t been easy,” said Hopkinsville Mayor J.R. Knight at the city council meeting. “I will take this time to say thank you to you, public works, for your hard work. I’ll say thank you to the county road department for their hard work. And I also take my hat off the state workers.”
While more salt was ordered by Hopkinsville early last week, increased demand across the entire country leaves the timeline up in the air. Perry is hoping they will receive it within two weeks, while Ahart in Oak Grove shared that they are currently waiting on two shipments.
| FIND US ON SOCIAL MEDIA: Follow Christian County Now on Facebook