Anyone live near I-75 in KY or TN? *UPDATE* page 2

[VillageMama]

We are planning on driving to Orlando from Michigan starting Sunday morning at 6:00am. Our goal was to reach just south of Atlanta by 6:00pm. We have non-refundable hotel reservations.

Of course, those plans were made before this major winter storm came through! It's dry as a bone where I sit in Michigan, but I understand that's not the case further south.

We're hoping that I-75 has been cleared of snow/ice by tomorrow. Can any DISers tell me how the roads seem to be now?

Naturally we are watching the Weather Channel, reading news reports online and such. It's just hard to get a sense of how things are going. Up here the road crews would have highways cleared within a couple of hours, but I understand that the south faces conditions like this much less frequently.

Don't worry... we won't take any undue risks. If we have to put off our trip by a day, we will. If we start out tomorrow and can only make it to Tennessee by nightfall, we'll stop early. We'll just have to eat the non-refundable hotel reservation. What can you do?

Thanks for any help!

 

[Ephany]

DH tried to take part of I75 last night, but had to turn back and stay the night because the roads were impassible. He's on his way now, so I'll ask him when he gets home what section he was driving on and how it was this morning. I know he got an early start today because the temperature was supposed to drop again and the snow had changed to icy sleet where he was. He was worried if he didn't get through today, the roads would be horrible again tonight.

 

[VillageMama]

Thanks, Ephany. I'd appreciate any updates.

Your dh is in my prayers for a safe journey home. He sounds like a wise man to know when to stop. I hope he makes it home today.

 

[Liberty Belle]

I know there was an accident near us (Lexington, KY) on I-75 early this morning, due to the snow. I would think that by tomorrow they should be drivable, but I don't know for sure. We are not expected to get any more snow.

 

[VillageMama]

We are not expected to get any more snow.

That's the good news... the storm has stopped, right? I'm sure road crews are hard at work but we don't want to take any chances.

Snow doesn't worry us as much as ice does. Hubby's a great driver in the snow but ice is another ball game altogether.

 

[Rose&Mike]

www.511.ky.gov
It was pretty bad this morning. This morning someone spilled 150 gallons of diesel in the area where 64 and 75 merge. There were accidents everywhere. The major roads in Louisville are much improved and mostly clear with some slush. It will probably refreeze tonight. What we have found from living here is that people do not seem to want to slow down. Good luck and be safe!

 

[zachnsamsmommy]

I am right off of I-75 in Knoxville. The roads here, at the moment, on the TN side are not that bad.

BUT...and this is a big 'but'... it is supposed to be 19 here tonight, and probably 5 or so degrees colder on the KY side. The snow is very slushy, and not too much is drying (well, none, actually) off of the roads. It is going to start refreezing tonight after dark. I'm guessing it cold get really bad overnight tonight.

I know that TDOT will work hard on keeping the interstate, on the TN side, as passable as possible. I'm sure KY will try to do the same. But it might still be a big gamble tomarrow.

 

[VillageMama]

The major roads in Louisville are much improved and mostly clear with some slush. It will probably refreeze tonight.

I saw that 511 website. The map of Kentucky was covered with little warning signs. You got hit pretty hard!

I definitely wouldn't want to try this drive tonight but it will be late morning before we even reach northern Kentucky. I'm hoping by then that the roads will be salted and melting.

We're still playing it by ear at this point. Florida will still be there whenever we finally make it down!

 

[agnes!]

OP, I would make a back-up reservation (that you can cancel if you don't need them) for on the road and *before* the bad weather/roads in case you decide to start but then have to wait out the conditions. Also, maybe DIS-locals where the roads and weather are bad can give you the local news/traffic radio stations so you're kept up-to-date on real-time conditions as you travel.

Good luck and stay safe,
agnes!

 

[Rose&Mike]

I saw that 511 website. The map of Kentucky was covered with little warning signs. You got hit pretty hard!

I definitely wouldn't want to try this drive tonight but it will be late morning before we even reach northern Kentucky. I'm hoping by then that the roads will be salted and melting.

We're still playing it by ear at this point. Florida will still be there whenever we finally make it down!

If it were me, and I wasn't going to hit KY until late morning, I would assume it would be ok, and just add an extra hour or two into my planned travel time. I heard on the news this morning that KDOT is ready to salt overnight (at least in our area) if the interstates become icy again. I would think even if it ices up that by late morning it should be ok. Just make sure you have lots of gas in case you get stuck behind an early morning accident.

 

[VillageMama]

Rose&Mike, this has nothing to do with the roads... but I have a toddler named Michael and if this baby is a girl, I really like the name Rose!

 

[wdwmom0f3]

I know there was an accident near us (Lexington, KY) on I-75 early this morning, due to the snow. I would think that by tomorrow they should be drivable, but I don't know for sure. We are not expected to get any more snow.

I used to live in Georgetown and I was talking to a friend of mine from there and she said that the roads were iced over this morning. Not sure about I-75.

 

[sunkist]

coming through Knoxville you will be find. When you get around the Sweetwater exit about 50 miles south of Knoxville, be careful. They were not expecting to get much of this weather, so they did not treat the interstate. Hopefully by the time you get to that point everything should be clear. Have fun on your vacation!!!

 

[DVCmom1960]

Hey!! Im in west Knoxville we're getting more snow now..3:00pm PP is right about Sweetwater.By the way salt trucks are out in full force. I would NOT travel after dark or early morning(Black Ice) Once you hit Chattanooga all you will have is rain. Have Fun enjoy some sunshine for the rest of us!!

 

[Rose&Mike]

Rose&Mike, this has nothing to do with the roads... but I have a toddler named Michael and if this baby is a girl, I really like the name Rose!

That's so funny. Somebody told me earlier this week they were thinking about Rose for a girl. When I was growing up I knew no one named Rose (except my Mom). Good luck and hope you have a great time in WDW.

 

[OK!]

Thanks for this info, everybody! My brother and I are actually planning on driving home from my family's house in Windermere back to St. Louis starting very early tomorrow morning and will be heading up 75. We were going to leave this morning (later, though) and were scared off by the weather reports. We'll be watching the weather channel very closely!

 

[Liberty Belle]

I used to live in Georgetown and I was talking to a friend of mine from there and she said that the roads were iced over this morning. Not sure about I-75.

I don't think they got as much snow as we did, so maybe they got more ice. I haven't even been out on side streets today, so maybe some of our roads are icy. It is very cold - in the teens, I think. So yes, in the morning, wet roads will most likely be icy, but I'm thinking I-75 should be ok.

 

[Ephany]

Ok, DH is home now. He said he got on to I75 at the I75/I25 split, roughly 5 miles before crossing from TN into GA. He took I75 south until turning off onto 285 to go around Atlanta. He says that once he hit the interstate, the roads were wet and slushy but nothing compared to last night. Traffic was moving well, and it's supposed to be cold, but clear, tonight and tomorrow. Good luck!

 

[sunkist]

The Bridge near exit 72,(Loudon) is closed. There was a 25 car pile on it , due to ice on bridge. Be careful out there!!!!

 

[DVCmom1960]

FOR MORE INFO CHECK VOLUNTEERTV.COM (THATSWVLT) OR WBIR TV They update during the night