<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=0L5CWD_0vm2gGfT00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0L5CWD_0vm2gGfT00" width="1923" height="1078" ><figcaption>NOAA satellite photo of the storm when it was over the Gulf of Mexico.</figcaption></figure>FRANKFORT, Ky. (KT) – Gov. Andy Beshear said the state is prepared to respond if needed to damage caused by heavy rain and high winds from the remnants of Hurricane Helene, which is expected to affect Kentucky throughout the weekend. “We’ve pre-staged assets across Kentucky to be ready to respond, if conditions move from significant to severe,” Beshear said during a Friday morning press briefing. “We do not believe a state of emergency is needed at this point yet.”He said 3-5 inches of rain are expected throughout the state. “I believe the vast majority of the rain we’ll see on Friday, maybe 70 percent. But if you’re looking at the various models and what it could mean, this system could stop right over Central Kentucky and dump rain on us all the way through the end of Sunday.”Beshear pointed out, there is a flood risk with the heavy rain, and winds could reach speeds of 40-55 miles per hour, which will depend on whether there is any sun between the rain bands. “It doesn’t have to be a lot of sun. If it clears even a little, then we’re looking at gusts of 60 miles per hour.”Kentucky Emergency Management Director Eric Gibson said the state’s Emergency Operations Center at the Boone National Guard Center in Frankfort is staffed and will remain so throughout the event and have been in contact with rescue organizations statewide.“We are ready to deploy, if needed, anywhere across the state,” he stated. “We have members that are ready to come to your aid. We also work with State Police and the National Guard, to have their air assets available if that becomes a necessity to get people to safety.”Deputy Transportation Secretary Mike Hancock says his employees are ready to respond “Our crews have been prepping equipment and chain saws for debris removal to help keep roads clear. They are on standby and will respond as necessary to keep traffic moving on our state routes.”The weather could also lead to trees and powerlines down. Kentucky Power says always assume a downed powerline is energized and stay far away! Downed lines can carry an electric current that can cause serious or even fatal injuries. If you encounter a fallen wire, keep yourself and others away from it and anything it may be touching. Call 911 and your electric utility to report it.</div></body>

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Beshear provides update on state response to heavy rain, high winds this weekend

FRANKFORT, Ky. (KT) – Gov. Andy Beshear said the state is prepared to respond if needed to damage caused by heavy rain and high winds from the remnants of Hurricane Helene, which is expected to affect Kentucky throughout the weekend. “We’ve pre-staged assets across Kentucky to be ready to...