Lexington officials prepare for snowfall. Isolated power outages may happen.

Lexington could see isolated power outages as well as frozen side streets and sidewalks due to the incoming snow Sunday afternoon into Monday morning, city officials said Sunday.

Lexington was expecting to get 4 inches of precipitation between Sunday afternoon and Monday morning from the winter storm which was expected to hit much of Central and Eastern Kentucky, officials said. That precipitation was expected to include wet, heavy snow. City officials spoke to reporters Sunday to address storm preparations and warn citizens to be cautious of hazardous weather.

“We’re not expecting a significant snow event but there could be isolated power outages just because of the type of snow that’s going to fall,” said Tim Brandewie from Lexington Emergency Management.

Rob Allen, director of Lexington’s Streets and Roads department, said Lexington had “really no significant issues” with roads as of Sunday afternoon. But there was concern about roads freezing over Sunday night, he said.

City crews pre-treated roads prior to any sleet, freezing rain or snowfall Sunday, Allen said.

“We’ve replenished our salt from the 2,600 tons we used last week, so our barns are once again full. And our snow contractor has four plows ready to go if we need them,” Mayor Linda Gorton said.

Gorton also asked Lexington residents to check on elderly neighbors and protect pets from the cold.

The Lexington Fire Department asked residents to stay away from downed power lines and use caution when using space heaters because they can cause fires.

Fire Chief Jason Wells also warned that trying to shovel wet snow can be more difficult because it’s heavier.

“Every year we do see a number of cardiac-related incidents that occur due to shoveling snow,” he said. He added that people should ask neighbors for help shoveling if they need it.

The Lexington Police Department was prepared to respond to any traffic issues if needed, Sgt. Guy Miller said Sunday. Miller said the city’s traffic patrol units were prepared to work the Freedom March in downtown Lexington on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Monday. Organizers of the march were planning to closely monitor the weather and decide if they should hold the march.

As of Sunday afternoon, the march was still expected to take place. If the march wasn’t held Monday, then traffic units would shift their focus to weather issues, Miller said.

“If you do not have to go out, please don’t, and please stay safe,” Miller said.

The city has also kept its homelessness prevention and intervention cold weather plan in effect through Monday to help those who don’t have shelter.

McConnell Springs Park and Raven Run Nature Sanctuary were closed Sunday as a result of the impending snow, the city said.