What are the main impacts of the severe winter weather on Kentucky residents?

The severe winter weather in Kentucky has resulted in tragic fatalities, including two unhoused individuals in the Louisville area who died from hypothermia. The crisis has been compounded by widespread power outages affecting thousands of Kentuckians, with emergency crews struggling in the cold conditions to restore electricity. In response to this emergency, Governor Andy Beshear is urging residents without electricity or heat to seek refuge in emergency shelters. These shelters have been established to protect displaced families and vulnerable individuals from the life-threatening cold, as the deadly combination of freezing temperatures and lack of shelter continues to pose serious risks across the state.