LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) – A Lexington-based disaster response company is preparing to help communities across multiple states as a winter storm approaches this weekend.
Emergency Disaster Services, which previously assisted with the February 2025 flood in eastern Kentucky, has committed resources to help with the upcoming storm response.
“This is what we sign up for,” said Matt Daley with Emergency Disaster Services.
The company is already positioning crews in seven states, including Virginia, North Carolina and Kentucky. They are also deploying teams to Arkansas, Mississippi and Texas before road conditions become too dangerous for travel.
Daley said crews need to reach their destinations quickly due to anticipated road closures.
“They need to be quick because there’s highways already, I can say, in Arkansas, Mississippi that we’ve been told by the state troopers there that if you’re not there by 8:00 or 9:00, you’re not getting in,” Daley said.
The company does not expect to expand to additional states because transportation issues may prevent crews from reaching other locations.
“If we have subfreezing an environment, then that creates transportation issues that creates probably an extra couple of days of what we are set out or contracted to do,” Daley said.
Emergency Disaster Services is operating a base camp for around 6,000 linemen throughout the Southwest and Southeast. The company provides ground support in the event of power outages.
“We’re making sure they’re safe, they’re warm, they’re taking care of as they go out and try to respond. We don’t know what that looks like over the next 72 hours,” Daley said.
The company is maintaining flexibility and prioritizing safety as they prepare to respond Saturday and Sunday.