Road conditions deteriorate as winter storm hits Knox

Much of Kentucky is suffering through the early hours of a winter storm affecting a large swath of the region, and Knox County is not immune.
Beginning Sunday morning, snow, followed by rounds of heavy sleet started to pepper the area, quickly making roads dangerous for travel. Several vehicles have been spotted sliding off slick roadways, including one such pickup truck on North Hwy. 11, in a post shared by the Richland Fire Department.
While crews have been hard at work for several hours already, scraping and treating the roadways, sub-freezing temperatures are making many side streets especially treacherous.
Photos submitted to The Mountain Advocate by Sheriff Mike Smith show hazardous conditions across the county along major roadways. "Roadways in Knox County are slick and hazardous," Smith said. "Please exercise caution if you travel. Roadway crews are out working to clear them out."
Barbourville City Street Department Director Jason Lake submitted a photo of city workers in action. "(Our) guys are out salting and scraping roads," he said. He shared a photo of workers clearing a sidewalk on Court Square.
If you suffer an emergency during this time, please contact 9-1-1. Warming stations are being set up around the region at various locations, including First Baptist Church on North Main Street in Barbourville, which is open for 24-hour access as an emergency warming station until no longer needed, according to the church's Facebook.