Bitter cold leads to extended emergency weather plan for Lexington

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WTVQ) – The city of Lexington has extended its emergency weather plan as more bitter cold temperatures are forecasted.

The plan is expected to remain in effect until January 9. It is activated anytime the temperature is expected to fall below 32 degrees to make sure the homeless in Lexington have access to warm, secure shelter.

Under the plan, shelter services are expanded and transportation is provided to shelters.

If you or someone you know needs a ride to a shelter, you can call or text the Catholic Action Center’s Compassionate Caravan between 5 p.m. and 11 p.m. The number is 859-913-0038.

The city is also urging people to remember their pets during the extreme cold.

Lexington-Fayette Animal Care and Control says it responded to 28 calls about pets in the cold this past weekend. Of those calls, one dog was seized due to the extreme weather conditions.

“We understand that some owners might feel their family pet is an outdoor pet,” said Timothy Brown, Public Information Officer for the LFACC in a news release. “However, there are just some situations that even outdoor pets can’t handle. These cold temperatures are unbearable for people, so think about your family pet.”