TVA prepares for energy demand, Winter Weather Advisory remains for Christian County

The Winter Storm Watch for Christian County has been changed to a Winter Weather Advisory that will be in effect Sunday from 2 a.m. through 2 p.m.

By Daynnah Carmona January 4, 2025 8:22 am

HOPKINSVILLE, KY (CHRISTIAN COUNTY NOW) – The Winter Storm Watch for Christian County has been changed to a Winter Weather Advisory that will be in effect Sunday from 2 a.m. through 2 p.m. The total impact the incoming weather will have on Christian County and the Pennyrile Area is still uncertain.

“The Winter Weather Advisory was issued where lighter ice accumulations may occur early in the day Sunday before transitioning to mainly rain by Sunday afternoon,” said a statement from the National Weather Service in Paducah. “This area also has the greatest degree of uncertainty as total ice accumulations and travel impacts will be by the placement of the freezing line and its progression northward through the day.”

Roads, especially bridges and overpasses, will likely become slick and hazardous, according to NWS. Following the winter storm, an arctic blast will arrive Monday and last through most of the week. Wind chill values will drop into the single digits or below zero at times.

TVA prepares for increased energy usage

The Tennessee Value Authority, the power supplier for areas in Kentucky and surrounding states, has been preparing for the high energy demand that will be required as extreme freezing conditions come through the area.

“I like to tell people, we’re either in the winter season or we’re preparing for the winter season,” said Eric Grau, TVA general manager for gas operations. “Over the last year, TVA has made significant investments, both financially and from a time standpoint with our folks at our sites to be sure our winter readiness program has been executed.”

In January of 2024, the TVA reached an all-time peak power demand record of 34,577 megawatts as Winter Storm Heather hit. To prevent freezing of facilities and instrumentation, TVA added and upgraded insulation, built enclosures around exposed and vulnerable equipment, and modernized heat trace technology.

To help users conserve energy and lower their bill during extreme temperatures, they recommend taking advantage of incoming sunlight to help heat homes and double-check that heating vents are open and not blocked by furniture or rugs. People can also set ceiling fans to run clockwise to push warm air down and set thermostats as low as comfortably possible.