High winds down trees, power lines across Nelson County Monday night

Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2013, 12:30 a.m. — Steady, strong winds advancing in front of an approaching cold front Monday night played havoc with a number of trees and power lines across Bardstown and Nelson County.

A large tree was blown down on East Muir near Foster Heights Elementary School Monday evening about 10 p.m. Winds also contributed to a report of arcing power lines at 10:30 p.m. near the intersection of North Fifth Street and Templin Avenue. The Bardstown Fire Department responded to investigate and were later dispatched to the 300 block of North First Street for a reported utility pole on fire at 11:25 p.m. Firefighters were concerned about possibly energized power lines on the ground in the area. A city utility crew responded to assess and mitigate possible hazards.

A power line in the 100 block of Irish Ridge Road was taken down by a large tree that fell across the roadway about 11:30 Monday night. Two deputy sheriffs blocked the road on both sides of the fallen power lines due to concerns the lines were still energized. Salt River crews and the county road department were called to the area to remove the tree and repair the downed lines.

The National Weather Service issued a wind advisory for much of Central Kentucky in advance of the cold front that was passing through the area Monday night and into Tuesday morning.

-30-