Mother Nature drenched Western’s campuses in rain, sleet, snow and a storm of weather-related problems this week.

But Western’s not alone in battling the weather.

The ice storm left many Kentuckians without power and could continue wreaking havoc as temperatures stay cold.

It’s the second-largest power outage recorded in the state, with power outages stretching across the western and eastern parts of the Kentucky, according to a press release from the Kentucky Public Service Commission. They expect some residents to be without power for several days.

The inclement weather started last weekend when cold air came in from the north and hot air came in through the south, said Greg Goodrich, assistant professor of geography and geology.

When the storm hit Bowling Green, the rain was hot while it was in the sky, he said. But the cold ground made it freeze.

It’s not likely to warm up until this weekend, Goodrich said.

At Western, winter weather caused an injury, school closings and technology problems.

Louisville sophomore Victoria Talbert was treated and released from the Medical Center Tuesday after a tree limb struck her, said Tommy Newton, assistant director of media relations.

The incident happened near Grise Hall, said Phillip Coleman, assistant computer information systems professor.

Talbert complained of her head, neck and right side hurting, he said.

Water freezes on trees causing them to break quickly, Goodrich said.

People should avoid walking under trees, Goodrich said. They should also avoid walking near trees leaning on power lines because trees could fall and snap power lines, which could electrocute someone.

Officials canceled classes on the Elizabethtown, Owensboro and Glasgow campuses Tuesday and yesterday. The Ft. Knox and Radcliff campuses were closed Wednesday, according to Western’s Web site.

The Owensboro campus will be closed Thursday and Friday, Newton said in an e-mail. The Elizabethtown, Ft. Knox and Radcliff campuses are closed Thursday.

Don Swoboda, dean of the Division of Extended Learning and Outreach, cited hazardous, icy roads as the reason for canceled classes.

“None of our regional campuses have dormitories,” he said. “They all have to drive.”

Officials canceled evening classes on main campus Tuesday and Wednesday, according to Western’s Web site.

Workers in Facilities Management pre-sprayed steps with a chemical that keeps ice from getting too thick, said Greg Fear of Facilities Management. But heavy rains diluted the spray, making it ineffective.

Workers also used salt and snowplows to clear walkways, he said.

“That’s why the sidewalks are clean,” Fear said of the plows. “They do the job of 10 men, you know, 100 men.”

AT&T users didn’t have cell service Tuesday because AT&T towers lost power because of ice, said Richard Kirchmeyer, vice president of Information Technology.

Officials couldn’t contact students, faculty and staff through text messaging because of the cell phone problems, he said. But officials used Western’s Web site, the radio and e-mail to send out information.

Western’s radio station, WKYU-FM, can’t deliver that information now, though.

Ice on the station’s tower is stopping radio frequency from getting out, said Jack Hanes, director of educational telecommunications.

Listeners will hear nothing but static on the station until the ice melts, he said.

“We’re kind of at the mercy-at this point-of old Mother Nature,” Hanes said.