Governors of four states declare state of emergency for storm

Governors of all four states in our region have declared a state of emergency for this weekend's major winter storm.

Kentucky governor Andy Beshear said the state’s Emergency Operations Center is preparing to activate to Level 3. The governor said he has also implemented the state’s price gouging laws.

In Tennessee, Bill Lee said the Tennessee National Guard is preparing vehicles to rescue stranded drivers and transport patients to hospitals. National Guard soldiers are also preparing emergency shelters and readying debris clearing equipment. 

Tennessee Highway Patrol troopers will work around the clock to respond to stranded drivers and clear abandoned vehicles from roadways, the agency said.

Governor JB Pritzker has directed the Illinois Emergency Management Agency to deploy resources ahead of this weekend’s major winter storm set to hit southern Illinois, and dangerously cold temperatures statewide.

Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe said the declaration makes sure that state resources can be deployed quickly to the areas that need them most.

Arkansas is also under a state of emergency for the storm, and more than half of the United States is under some form of a weather alert for this storm.