Storms Sweep Lexington, City Offers Free Mulch Cleanup and Hosts SEC Track Championships

Good morning, this is Lexington Local Pulse for Saturday, May 17, 2025. We wake up today in the wake of severe storms that swept through Kentucky last night, prompting a state of emergency statewide and plenty of damage reported to our south in Pulaski and Laurel counties. Our city’s emergency management teams have been preparing for days, and while Lexington was spared the worst, we’ve seen some localized flooding and downed trees, especially near Tates Creek Road and on the west side. Crews are out working to clear roadways, but we should all use extra caution traveling this morning. The storms will taper off as we move into the afternoon. Expect mostly cloudy skies with highs around seventy and a chance of spot showers, so keep that umbrella handy if you’re out and about. City Hall is hoping to lift spirits today with a free mulch giveaway for residents at 1631 Old Frankfort Pike. That starts at eight this morning and runs until supplies run out. It’s first come, first served—perfect timing for anyone wanting to refresh their garden after last night’s rain. On the job front, the city continues to advertise nearly a hundred open positions, including new roles in public safety and parks. If you’re job hunting, check the city’s website or drop by the Government Center on Main Street for application tips and more information. In real estate, activity remains brisk with median home prices hovering around three hundred fifteen thousand dollars, holding steady from last month even as inventory ticks up a bit. Downtown is buzzing today as the University of Kentucky hosts the SEC Outdoor Track and Field Championships for the first time in over a decade. Events wrap up late tonight at the Outdoor Track and Field Facility, so expect extra traffic and limited parking around the University campus and Cooper Drive. For the kids and families, the Monster Jam roars into Rupp Arena this afternoon, featuring giant trucks, a pit party, and plenty of action sure to keep the whole family entertained. In community news, Lexington schools celebrate big wins this week with Henry Clay High’s baseball team advancing to the regional finals and students from Lafayette High recognized for their robotics project at a statewide competition. Our young people continue to make us proud. Sadly, we must mention that police are searching for two missing and endangered teenagers believed to be in imminent danger. Anyone with information is urged to contact Lexington Police as soon as possible. Otherwise, police report a quiet night for major crime, with only minor traffic incidents despite the rough weather. To wrap up, a feel-good note—neighbors in the Chevy Chase area rallied to help an older resident clear debris from her yard after last night’s storms, showing once again how Lexington comes together in tough times. That is your Lexington Local Pulse for today. We’ll see you tomorrow with more local updates. This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.