Declaration of Local State of Emergency Due to Winter Storm - January 2026

Date of Release: 
January 23, 2026

DECLARATION OF A LOCAL STATE OF EMERGENCY

January 23, 2026

WHEREAS, Governor Andy Beshear has declared a State of Emergency in the Commonwealth of Kentucky effective January 23, 2026, due to the threat of catastrophic winter weather conditions; and

WHEREAS, the National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning effective January 24, 2026, forecasting a significant weather system which includes heavy snow with the potential for ice resulting in hazardous conditions over the next several days to impact the City of Paducah in McCracken County, Kentucky; and

WHEREAS, these conditions pose a threat to public safety, transportation, utilities, and essential services within the City of Paducah; and

WHEREAS, said weather system affects homes of residents, public property, organizations and agencies with emergency responsibilities, and transportation routes including streets and bridges within the City of Paducah; and

WHEREAS, the possibility of damage sustained by possible winter weather conditions in the City of Paducah would present a severe and complex threat to the public health, safety, and welfare of citizens that extraordinary emergency measures are warranted pursuant to KRS 39B.070; and

NOW, THEREFORE, I, George Bray, Mayor the City of Paducah, by the authority vested in me pursuant to KRS 39A.100 and KRS 39B.070, do hereby declare that a State of Emergency exists in the City of Paducah effective immediately, and direct that:

  1. The local Emergency Operations Plan shall be fully executed.
  2. The McCracken County Local Emergency Management Director shall direct the McCracken County Office of Emergency Management to provide such as­sistance as can be delivered from available local resources and shall coordinate all agencies of state and local government to assist the City of Paducah. 
  3. All agencies of the City of Paducah shall cooperate to the ful­lest extent with the McCracken County Office of Emergency Management and shall provide such assistance as may be required for response to this emergency.
  4. Under this State of Emergency, the Mayor of the City of Paducah can waive procedures and formalities otherwise required by the law as provided in KRS 39A.100 (3) and 39B.
  5. All citizens are urged to exercise caution, limit travel, and comply with directives issued by emergency management and public safety officials.