LIST: Road closures around Louisville area due to flooding
Updated: 11:06 PM EDT Apr 4, 2025
LATE BREAKING NEWS AS THE MAYOR AND OTHER CITY LEADERS ARE UPDATING US ON THE METRO’S RESPONSE TO THE FLOODING IN OUR AREA. MAYOR GREENBERG IS SPEAKING. NOW, LET’S LISTEN IN CENTER. WE HAVE SEVERAL FOLKS HERE TODAY THAT ARE GOING TO GIVE AN UPDATE OVERNIGHT. JUST WHAT’S HAPPENED IN TERMS OF THE RECOVERY FROM THE SEVERE WEATHER, WEATHER THAT WE HAD EARLIER THIS WEEK. AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, WE’RE GOING TO FOCUS ON WHAT’S GOING ON NOW, WHAT’S EXPECTED OVER THE DAYS AHEAD, AND WHAT YOU CAN DO TO REMAIN SAFE. WE ARE EXPECTING THIS EXTREME WEATHER EVENT TO CONTINUE. THIS IS INCREDIBLY SERIOUS. WE WANT EVERYONE TO BE SAFE. WE ARE VERY FORTUNATE THAT WE HAVE NO STORM RELATED INJURIES OR DEATHS SO FAR, AND WE WANT THAT TO REMAIN THE CASE THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE WEEKEND AS THE SEVERE WEATHER CONTINUES. AND SO WE’RE VERY APPRECIATIVE FOR PEOPLE TO CONTINUE TO HEED THE WARNINGS FROM THE PROFESSIONALS THAT YOU’RE GOING TO HEAR. FROM TODAY, I’LL GIVE AN OVERVIEW OF WHAT WE’RE DEALING WITH NOW. YOU’LL HEAR FROM TONY PARROTT, THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF MSD. JODY SIMON, THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF OUR EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY, AND MAJOR ARNOLD RIVERA FROM LOUISVILLE METRO POLICE DEPARTMENT. IN TERMS OF JUST THE DAMAGE THAT WAS SUFFERED AS A RESULT OF THE LIKELY TORNADOES THAT HIT THE J. TOWN AND MIDDLETOWN AREA EARLIER THIS WEEK. THE DAMAGE ASSESSMENT TEAMS ARE WRAPPING UP THEIR WORK TODAY. WE’RE VERY THANKFUL THAT WE HAD 40 VOLUNTEERS FROM THE J TOWN AREA THAT JOINED OUR EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT CREWS TO HELP TRACK AND TALLY ALL OF THE DAMAGE THAT HIT J TOWN AND MIDDLETOWN EARLIER THIS WEEK. WE CONTINUE TO WORK CLOSELY WITH THE CITY OF J TOWN AND THE CITY OF MIDDLETOWN IN THOSE RECOVERY EFFORTS. AND AGAIN, IF YOU SUSTAINED DAMAGE AS A RESULT OF THAT, PLEASE CALL 311 SO THAT WE’RE SURE WE HAVE THAT INFORMATION. WHAT WE’RE DEALING WITH RIGHT NOW IN TERMS OF THE RAINS THAT HAVE CONTINUED SINCE THAT THOSE SEVERE WINDS EARLIER THIS WEEK, WE ARE DEALING WITH SOME FLOODING ISSUES ALREADY IN THE CITY OVER THE PAST 24 HOURS, THE LOUISVILLE FIRE DEPARTMENT HAS HAD SENT FOUR OPERATIONS OUT TO RESCUE INDIVIDUALS THAT HAVE BEEN STRANDED, INCLUDING ONE TRUE WATER RESCUE. LAST NIGHT ON OAK STREET. YOU CAN SEE RIGHT HERE TO MY LEFT. THAT’S A PICTURE THAT WAS TAKEN EARLIER THIS MORNING ON FRANKFORT AVENUE. THAT’S SOMEBODY THAT DID NOT HEED THE WARNINGS THAT DROVE THROUGH. CLEARLY STANDING WATER. WE ARE HERE TO ADVISE EVERYONE. DO NOT DO WHAT THIS INDIVIDUAL DID THIS MORNING. IF YOU’RE DRIVING OVER THE COMING DAYS, TODAY, TOMORROW, SUNDAY, AND YOU SEE WATER IN THE ROADWAY, TURN AROUND. THIS IS INCREDIBLY SERIOUS. YOU DO NOT WANT YOUR CAR TO BE STUCK, BUT EVEN WORSE, YOU DO NOT WANT TO BE INJURED. YOU DO NOT WANT TO RISK YOUR LIFE. PLEASE TURN AROUND IF YOU SEE ANY STANDING WATER AND WE’LL GET MORE TO THAT AS WE COME UP. IN TERMS OF THE FORECAST, THE REASON THAT WE ARE CALLING THIS SUCH AN EXTREME WEATHER EVENT IS BECAUSE, NOTWITHSTANDING ALL THE RAIN THAT WE HAVE ALREADY HAD, WE’RE EXPECTING ANOTHER 4 TO 6IN OF RAIN OVER THE NEXT 48 HOURS. THAT IS A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF RAINFALL AT ANY TIME, PARTICULARLY ON TOP OF ALL THE RAIN THAT THE CITY HAS ALREADY RECEIVED OVER THE LAST FEW DAYS. THERE IS A SLIGHT RISK FOR SEVERE WEATHER AND WINDS OVER THE COMING DAYS, BUT THE BIGGEST ISSUES THAT WE’RE FOCUSED ON RIGHT NOW ARE MOSTLY ALL RELATED TO RAIN, WITH THE HEAVIEST RAIN EXPECTED ALL DAY TOMORROW. ON SATURDAY, AND THEN WE’RE EXPECTING THE RAIN TO STOP ON SUNDAY. SO WHAT THIS MEANS IS THERE ARE SEVERAL TYPES OF FLOODING THAT THE CITY IS AT RISK OF. ONE IS CERTAINLY FLASH FLOODING, WHERE THINGS CAN BE MOVING QUICKLY BECAUSE OF THE TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF RAIN THAT WE WILL BE GETTING, AND ALSO CREEK BEDS ALL ACROSS THE COUNTY, LOW LYING AREAS, THAT IS WHERE WE’RE GOING TO SEE A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF FLOODING. AND EVEN IF THE RAIN STOPS, THE WATER WILL CONTINUE TO RISE AFTER THE RAIN HAS HAS STOPPED. SO PLEASE CONTINUE TO USE CAUTION DURING BREAKS IN THE WEATHER AS WELL AS ON SUNDAY WHEN WE EXPECT THE RAIN TO END. IT STILL MAY CONTINUE TO RISE. ANOTHER BIG ISSUE FOR FLOODING IS GOING TO BE THE OHIO RIVER, SO WE HAVE A LOT MORE INFORMATION TODAY THAN WE DID YESTERDAY ABOUT THE OHIO RIVER. AND WE EXPECT AS OF RIGHT NOW, YOU CAN SEE ON WELL, IT’S ONLINE. THERE’S THERE’S A CHART THAT SHOWS THE OHIO RIVER CREST. IT’S EXPECTED TO CREST RIGHT NOW ON WEDNESDAY AT 35.5FT IN THE UPPER POOL. LET ME TRANSLATE WHAT THAT MEANS. THE UPPER POOL IS THE AREA OF THE OHIO RIVER ON THE DOWNTOWN SIDE OF THE MCALPINE LOCKS. NORMAL STAGE IS ABOUT 12FT. SO THIS IS GOING TO BE 23FT ABOVE WHAT’S NORMAL IN THE DOWNTOWN AND NORTHEAST OF DOWNTOWN AREA, 23FT ABOVE NORMAL FOR THE OHIO RIVER. SO JUST THINK OF THAT AT OVER TWO STOREYS OF YOUR HOME OF WATER TO WHERE THE OHIO RIVER NORMALLY IS. AND THAT’S WHAT WE’RE EXPECTING TO HAPPEN BETWEEN NOW AND WEDNESDAY WHEN IT CRESTS. THAT IS GOING TO BE VERY SIGNIFICANT. FLOODING THAT WE HAVE. THIS MAY BE ONE OF THE TOP TEN FLOODS IN RECORDED HISTORY IN LOUISVILLE. IF IT REACHES THERE, AND PARTICULARLY IF IT GOES ABOVE THAT, 35.5FT FLOOD STAGE. SO AGAIN, THIS IS VERY SEVERE AND SIGNIFICANT FLOODING EVENT IN THE LOWER POOL, WHICH IS THE OHIO RIVER SOUTH AND WEST OF THE MCALPINE LOCKS. SO THE WEST WEST LOUISVILLE AND SOUTHWEST LOUISVILLE AND THE BANKS OF THE OHIO RIVER THERE, THAT’S EXPECTED TO CREST AT 68FT. THAT IS MUCH, MUCH, MUCH HIGHER THAN IS NORMAL IN THE LOWER POOL OF THE OHIO RIVER. SO AGAIN, THERE’S SIGNIFICANT FLOODING RISK ALSO IN WEST AND SOUTHWEST LOUISVILLE IN TERMS OF WHAT WE’RE DOING TO PREPARE THE COMMUNITY AND TO ENSURE THAT PEOPLE STAY SAFE. BARRICADES HAVE ALREADY GONE UP ON SOME OF THESE AREAS. THE THIRD STREET RAMP OFF OF THE HIGHWAY DOWNTOWN WILL CLOSE AT SOME POINT IN TIME HERE, AS FLOOD WATERS CONTINUE TO RISE ON RIVER ROAD AT THIRD STREET, OUR PUBLIC WORKS TEAM IS WORKING RIGHT NOW, AS IS MSD, LMPD, THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. EVERYBODY IS WORKING IN REAL TIME, SO BARRICADES WILL GO UP QUICKLY AND THERE WILL NOT BE ANY TYPE OF INITIAL PRE NOTIFICATION WHEN BARRICADES NEED TO GO UP FOR PEOPLE’S SAFETY. WE’RE GOING TO PUT THEM UP. WE ARE TRACKING ALL OF THE STREETS THAT ARE CLOSED ON OUR WEBSITE, WHERE YOU CAN FIND A LIST. AND THAT WILL BE CONTINUED TO BE UPDATED THROUGHOUT THE WEEKEND. YOU’LL HEAR FROM MAJOR RIVERA. MORE ON THIS IN A MOMENT, BUT I WANT TO STRESS, PLEASE DO NOT MOVE ANY BARRICADES. THE BARRICADES ARE THERE TO PROTECT PEOPLE SAFETY, TO PROTECT PEOPLE’S LIVES. DO NOT MOVE ANY BARRICADES AND ALSO DO NOT DRIVE AROUND ANY BARRICADES. DRIVING AROUND BARRICADES IS A VIOLATION OF THE LAW. AND IF LMPD OFFICERS SEE YOU, THEY COULD ISSUE CITATIONS FOR THAT. IF YOU SEE AREAS THAT WHERE THERE’S WATER AND THERE ARE NO BARRICADES, PLEASE CALL 311 AS WELL AND LET US KNOW. WE HAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE WORKING THROUGH THE WEEKEND THAT ARE GOING TO BE WORKING TO IDENTIFY EVERY AREA WHERE THERE IS RISK, BUT IF YOU SEE SOMETHING THAT HAS NOT YET BEEN ATTENDED TO, PLEASE CALL 311. OUR METRO SAFE 311 TEAM WILL BE WORKING THROUGH THE WEEKEND TO TAKE ALL OF THOSE CALLS, AND PLEASE BE A PARTICULAR CAUTION IN THE EVENINGS. ON THE EVENINGS, IT’S EVEN MORE DIFFICULT TO SEE WATER, TO SEE DANGEROUS CONDITIONS. AND SO PLEASE, IF YOU’RE OUT AND ABOUT DRIVING, USE EXTRA CAUTION IN THE EVENING. BUT THAT’S REALLY OUR OUR REQUEST IS THAT EVERYONE JUST TAKE A LITTLE EXTRA TIME TO BE SAFE. DON’T DO ANYTHING STUPID. DON’T DRIVE THROUGH WATER LIKE THIS RESIDENT DID EARLIER TODAY. JUST CONTINUE TO HEED THESE WARNINGS AND WE’LL GET THROUGH THIS TOGETHER AND SAFE. BUT WE’RE GOING TO TAKE SOME QUESTIONS AT THE END. BUT FIRST, AGAIN, THERE ARE THREE OTHER FOLKS THAT ARE GOING TO SPEAK AND TALK ABOUT A LITTLE OF THE PREPARATION WORK AND WHAT’S GOING ON RIGHT NOW. I’M GOING TO FIRST TURN IT OVER TO TONY PARROTT, THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF MSD. THANK YOU, MAYOR GREENBERG. AND AS THE MAYOR SAID, THIS IS A EXTREME WEATHER EVENT, SOMETHING THAT WE DON’T SEE VERY NORMAL AROUND HERE. AND SO OBVIOUSLY IT’S GOING TO BE VERY IMPACTFUL FOR NOT ONLY THE COMMUNITY BUT FOR THE OPERATIONS, PARTICULARLY AT MSD, WITH THE OPERATION OF OUR WASTEWATER FACILITIES AND ALL OF THE SEWERS WITHIN OUR CITY, WHETHER IT BE IN THE DOWNTOWN AREA WHERE WE HAVE THE COMBINED SEWER SYSTEM AND THEN OUTSIDE THE 264 WHERE WE HAVE MOSTLY A SANITARY SEWER SYSTEM DUE TO THE HEAVY RAIN EVENTS, WE ARE NOW SEEING THAT OUR SYSTEMS ARE AT CAPACITY, PARTICULARLY IN OUR SANITARY SYSTEMS. OUR STORMWATER BASINS AND OUR STORMWATER TUNNELS ARE FILLING UP. SO AS THOSE SYSTEMS FILL UP, OBVIOUSLY IT’S GOING TO LIMIT THE AMOUNT OF WATER THAT CAN GET INTO THE SYSTEM. AND SO WE NEED HELP FROM THE COMMUNITY AS THEY ARE GOING THROUGH THEIR DAY TO DAY. AND THEY’RE THINKING ABOUT HOW THEY’RE USING WATER IN THEIR PARTICULAR HOMES OR BUSINESSES. BE MINDFUL OF THE FACT THAT WE HAVE LIMITED CAPACITY IN OUR SANITARY SYSTEM. AND SO OBVIOUSLY, IF THERE’S ANY BACKUPS, WE’RE GETTING A LOT OF CALLS ABOUT BACKUPS BECAUSE OF THAT. IF FOLKS ARE HAVING BACKUPS IN THEIR PROPERTIES, WE ENCOURAGE THEM TO CONTACT MSD AT 540 6000. THAT’S 540 6000. IF WE DO NOT RESPOND WITHIN, SAY, 4 TO 24 HOURS, IT’S BECAUSE WE’RE GETTING INUNDATED WITH A LOT OF CALLS AND SO WE WILL RESPOND BASED UPON OUR OUR CALLING LIST. AND OUR STAFF IS WORKING 24 OVER SEVEN TO RESPOND TO ADDRESS COMPLAINTS AS THEY COME IN. WE’RE ALSO ASKING FOLKS TO BE PATIENT BECAUSE DURING THIS RAIN EVENT AND AS THE RAIN SUBSIDES OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS, WE WILL BE ABLE TO DO A BETTER ASSESSMENT OF WHAT MAY BE AN ISSUE OR MAY BE A PROBLEM WITHIN THE PUBLIC SANITARY SYSTEM IN THE ROAD, OR SOMETHING WITHIN A PRIVATE PROPERTY, SEWER OR PRIVATE PROPERTY. DRAINAGE ISSUE. WE HAVE INSTALLED FIVE FLOODWALL. ROADWAY CLOSURES SINCE YESTERDAY, AND THAT IS TO PROTECT THE CITY FROM THE OHIO RIVER RISING. AS THE MAYOR MENTIONED, WE KNOW THERE’S GOING TO BE IMPACTS, PARTICULARLY WITH THE THIRD STREET RAMP OFF OF 64 CLOSING PROBABLY LATER ON TONIGHT OR EARLY MORNING. AND RIVER ROAD BEING INUNDATED WITH FLOODING IN THE DOWNTOWN AREA. THAT IS SOMETHING THAT IS GOING TO CONTINUE TO BE A PROBLEM. WE HAVE SCHEDULED OUR SHIFTS TO WORK 24 HOURS A DAY, 12 HOUR SHIFTS THROUGH THIS EVENT, AND TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE BEING RESPONSIVE AND WE ARE PROTECTING THE CITY FROM AND THE DOWNTOWN FROM THE OHIO RIVER. AGAIN, IF FOLKS ARE HAVING PROBLEMS OR IF THEY SEE A PROBLEM, THEY CAN CONTACT US AT 540 6000. AND AS THE MAYOR MENTIONED, IF THERE IS A BARRICADE UP, PARTICULARLY IN AN AREA WHERE YOU MAY HAVE A VIADUCT, THAT MAY BE FLOODED, PLEASE DO NOT DRIVE THROUGH A VIADUCT. IT IS A LIFE THREATENING SCENARIO AND WE ENCOURAGE FOLKS TO TO RESPECT THE BARRICADES AND DO NOT DRIVE THROUGH WATER. THIS IS A RAIN EVENT THAT IS UNLIKE, AS THE MAYOR MENTIONED, PROBABLY IN THE TOP TEN AS FAR AS A FLOOD EVENT. AND SO WE NEED TO TAKE IT VERY SERIOUSLY BECAUSE IT IS SOMETHING THAT REAL QUICKLY CAN THREATEN SOMEONE’S LIVES. AND SO WE WANT PEOPLE TO BE COGNIZANT OF THAT. AND AGAIN, BE PATIENT, BUT JUST KNOW THAT WE’RE HERE AND WE’RE RESPONDING AS WE GET CALLS AS THEY COME IN. SO WITH THAT, MR. MAYOR, I’LL TURN IT OVER TO JODY. SURE. THANK YOU. GOOD AFTERNOON. JODY MOUNT, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR LOUISVILLE, JEFFERSON COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT. JUST A COUPLE THINGS. LIKE THE MAYOR SAID EARLIER TODAY, WE COMPLETED ALL OF OUR EVALUATIONS AND ASSESSMENTS THROUGHOUT THE TOWN AND MIDDLETOWN AREA. WE WERE GRACIOUS BECAUSE OF THE VOLUNTEERS THAT SHOWED UP. AND IT WAS A THE VOLUNTEERS AND THE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL THAT CONDUCTED ALL THOSE, ALL THOSE ASSESSMENTS OUT THERE. AND THAT’S THE NORMAL PROCESS. I KNOW THERE WAS SOME MISCONCEPTION THAT FEMA WAS IN TOWN ALREADY, AND THAT’S THAT’S NOT THE PROCESS. IT’S NEVER BEEN THE PROCESS. WE ALWAYS DO IT ON A LOCAL LEVEL. THEY PUT IT IN THE, THE, THE SYSTEM TO GO TO THE STATE LEVEL. AND THEN THAT’S IN THERE TO TAKE A LOOK AND EVALUATE THE POTENTIAL FOR ANY KIND OF ASSISTANCE LATER THAT THAT MAY COME. SO WE’RE VERY GRACIOUS FOR THE PEOPLE THAT CAME OUT AND HELPED US OUT THERE TODAY, BECAUSE WE WERE ABLE TO GET IT DONE VERY, VERY QUICKLY. I KNOW THERE’S BEEN SOME CONCERNS AS WELL ABOUT OUR DAMS IN IN OUR CITY PARKS. WE’VE BEEN WORKING WITH PARKS AND RECREATION, AND THEY’VE DONE A GOOD JOB GOING OUT AND EVALUATING THE THE DAMS THAT ARE IN OUR PARKS AND THE LAKES THAT ARE IN OUR PARKS AND EVALUATING THEM ON A DAILY BASIS, SOMETIMES A COUPLE TIMES A DAY, ESPECIALLY OUR HIGH HAZARD DAMS, TO MAKE SURE THAT THERE’S NOT ANY PROBLEMS WITH THAT. AND THEY’VE ALREADY GOT A CONTRACTOR SCHEDULED TO COME IN POST STORM AND POST EVENT TO TAKE A LOOK AND DO AN EVALUATION TO SEE IF THERE WAS ANYTHING AFFECTED WITH THAT. AND THEN THE BIGGEST THING LIKE LIKE YOU’RE GOING TO HEAR OVER AND OVER AGAIN IS PREPARE. NOW, YOU KNOW, IF YOU LIVE IN A FLOOD PRONE AREA, WE’VE TASKED OUR OUR PUBLIC SAFETY WORKERS TO GO OUT AND LOOK IN THEIR JURISDICTIONS, AT FLOOD PRONE AREAS, SEE HOW THEY ARE NOW, AND EVALUATE THEM THROUGHOUT THE DAY TODAY AND THEN SO WE CAN PUT RESOURCES AND ALLOCATE RESOURCES TO THESE PLACES, YOU KNOW, THROUGHOUT THE WEEKEND, IN CASE WE HAVE SOME PROBLEMS. BUT PLAN TODAY, YOU KNOW, WE DON’T WANT ANYBODY TO WAIT TOO LATE TO TRY TO GET OUT OF AN AREA, ONE WE DON’T WANT TO HAVE TO COME AND GET YOU WITH A BOAT. AND TWO, WE DON’T WANT YOU TO TRY TO GET OUT AT THE LAST MINUTE AND GET CAUGHT IN FLOOD WATERS. YOU KNOW, THAT’S NOT A THAT’S NOT A GOOD SITUATION AT ALL. SO, YOU KNOW, PLEASE PLAN TODAY ON ON WHAT COULD WHAT YOU COULD POTENTIALLY HAVE TO DO IF YOU HAVE TO GET OUT BECAUSE OF FLOODED ROADS, FLOODED YARDS, YOU KNOW, YOU’VE GOT CREEKS THAT COME OUT OF THEIR BEDS, YOU KNOW AND KNOW WHERE YOU’RE GOING TO GO. YOU KNOW, KNOW WHERE YOU CAN, YOU KNOW, FAMILY AND FRIENDS. AND, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE WE HAVE PLACES THAT ARE ESTABLISHED. THEY’RE NOT ESTABLISHED, THEY’RE NOT OPEN YET, BUT WE HAVE PLACES THAT WE CAN OPEN UP IN THE CASE. WE HAVE TO SET UP SHELTERS. WE’VE GOT MASS TRANSIT THAT WE CAN ESTABLISH. IF WE HAVE TO DO THAT WITH OUR ESF ONE PARTNERS. SO LIKE I SAID, IF WE IF IT COMES TO THAT, WE HAVE THAT ESTABLISHED AND WE CAN SET THAT UP. SO, YOU KNOW, PLAN TODAY, THIS IS A SERIOUS EVENT. YOU KNOW, WE DON’T WANT ANYBODY TO GET HURT. AND AND ALSO REMEMBER WHEN THE RAIN STOPS, IT DOESN’T MEAN THE DANGER IS OVER. MAKE SURE THAT YOU KNOW, YOU’RE STILL WATCHING THE WATER BECAUSE IT’S GOT TO GO SOMEWHERE. AND THE WATER COULD CONTINUE TO RISE EVEN THROUGHOUT YOUR HOUSE. YOU KNOW, IN THE DAYS TO COME AFTERWARDS. SO, YOU KNOW, STAY SAFE. LISTEN TO THE THE ALERTS. SIGN UP FOR LYNN’S ALERT AND, YOU KNOW, KNOW WHAT’S GOING ON WITH YOUR SURROUNDINGS. THANK YOU. GOOD AFTERNOON. I’M MAJOR ARNOLD RIVERA WITH THE LOUISVILLE METRO POLICE DEPARTMENT SPECIAL OPERATIONS DIVISION. JUST KIND OF WANT TO REEMPHASIZE WITH THE MAYOR AND DIRECTOR, SIMON, HAVE REPEATEDLY STATED, WHEN BARRICADES ARE PUT IN PLACE, THOSE ARE TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICES. THOSE ARE THERE TO PREVENT THE NEEDLESS LOSS OF LIFE. IT IS ONE THING TO ACCIDENTALLY WANDER INTO WATER. IT IS ANOTHER THING TO MAKE A CONSCIOUS DECISION AND DELIBERATELY DISREGARD A TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICE. PUTTING YOURSELF IN DANGER. ANY OF YOUR PASSENGERS IN DANGER, AND ANY FIRST RESPONDERS THAT IS A VIOLATION OF THE TRAFFIC LAW. AND WE HAVE. DIRECTED OUR FOLKS TO HANDLE THAT. ACCORDINGLY, WE ARE PREPARED TO RESPOND AS NECESSARY TO ASSIST ALL OF OUR AGENCY PARTNERS WITH ANY OF THE FLOOD EMERGENCIES THAT HAPPEN. BUT PLEASE, IF IT IS NOT NECESSARY FOR YOU TO TRAVEL. HEED THE WARNINGS AND DO NOT DO SO. IF YOU DO HAVE A PLAN AND MAKE SURE THAT YOU’RE PAYING ATTENTION TO THE ROADWAYS AND THE CONDITIONS AS YOU TRAVEL THERE, DO NOT TAKE UNNECESSARY RISKS AND PUT OTHERS, OTHER FIRST RESPONDERS LIVES IN DANGER. OR YOUR FAMILY OR FRIENDS THAT ARE TRAVELING WITH YOU NEEDLESSLY. THANK YOU. THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MAJOR RIVERA. THANK YOU, DIRECTOR SIMON. AND MR. PARROTT AS WELL. YOU KNOW, TO SUM UP JUST A FEW FINAL THINGS. IN ADDITION TO LOUISVILLE FIRE DEPARTMENT BEING ON ON SCENE HERE IN LOUISVILLE, THEY ALSO HAVE DEPLOYED A SWIFT WATER RESCUE TEAM TO CASEY COUNTY AND LIBERTY, KENTUCKY, TO ASSIST THEM WITH THEIR EMERGENCY RESPONSE EFFORTS. THEIR TEAM THERE IS ON STANDBY WITH THE LIBERTY FIRE DEPARTMENT. THIS WILL NOT IMPACT THE FIRE DEPARTMENT’S ABILITY TO SERVE OUR COMMUNITY AS WELL. BUT AGAIN, WE WANT TO BE GOOD NEIGHBORS AND PARTNERS WITH OTHER FOLKS THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY THAT ARE DEALING WITH SEVERE WEATHER AND RESPONSES THROUGHOUT THE WEEKEND. YOU CAN CONTINUE TO FOLLOW ALONG ON ALL OF OUR SOCIAL MEDIA CHANNELS TO STAY UP TO DATE. WE’LL CONTINUE TO KEEP THE COMMUNITY UPDATED, AND ALSO, I’M SURE THERE WILL BE A QUESTION ABOUT THUNDER OVER LOUISVILLE, WHICH IS PLANNED FOR A WEEK FROM TOMORROW. WE ARE IN CONSTANT CONTACT WITH MATT GIBSON AND HIS TEAM AT THE KENTUCKY DERBY FESTIVAL. WE’RE ALL FOCUSED ON GETTING THROUGH THIS WEEKEND SAFELY. WE’RE MONITORING ALL THE THINGS THAT GO INTO PULLING OFF THUNDER OVER LOUISVILLE A WEEK FROM SATURDAY, AND SO WE’LL WE’LL HAVE MORE TO SAY ABOUT THAT, DEPENDING ON WHAT ACTUALIZES WITH THE WEATHER, WITH THE FLOODING, WITH LOTS OF DIFFERENT VARIABLES. ON MONDAY. BUT WE WILL REMAIN IN TOUCH WITH THE KENTUCKY DERBY FESTIVAL. SO AGAIN, TO SUM UP, BEFORE WE TAKE QUESTIONS, IF THE PROJECTIONS HOLD, WE EXPECT THAT THIS WILL BE ONE OF THE TEN LARGEST FLOOD EVENTS IN LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY HISTORY. THAT IS EXTREME WEATHER THAT PROVIDES THAT MAY CREATE DANGEROUS SITUATIONS. SO PLEASE LISTEN TO THESE WARNINGS. BE CAUTIOUS THIS WEEKEND AND STAY SAFE. AND WITH THAT, WE’RE HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS. YES. SO HOW DO WE WHEN WE’RE ANTICIPATING THIS FLOODING, HOW DO WE COMPARE IT TO PAST FLOODS IN THE PAST? LIKE I THINK THAT’S SOMEWHERE THAT IT LIKE THE GATES WERE CLOSED IN FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE 2018 COMPARED TO 2018, COMPARED TO 1933. JUST TO GIVE PEOPLE AN UNDERSTANDING OF HOW THAT. SO A FEW COMPARISONS TO JODY OR TONY MIGHT HAVE SOME OTHERS, BUT FOR EXAMPLE, IN FEBRUARY THERE WAS FLOODING ALONG RIVER ROAD AND DOWNTOWN AS A RESULT OF THE OHIO RIVER COMING UP IN FEBRUARY OF THIS YEAR. WE’RE EXPECTING THE CREST OF THE OHIO RIVER TO BE OVER FIVE FEET HIGHER THAN WHAT WE SAW JUST EARLIER THIS YEAR IN FEBRUARY. IF THESE PROJECTIONS HOLD WITH THE OHIO RIVER, THIS WILL BE AT OR ABOVE WHERE WE WERE IN 2018 FROM DOWNTOWN NORTH, AND IT WILL BE HIGHER FOR THE LOWER POOL, WHICH IS THE WEST AND SOUTHWEST PORTIONS OF THE CITY WILL BE HIGHER THAN THAT COMPARED TO THE 2018 FLOOD. GOT IT. OKAY, GREAT. SO YES, FOR THE PEOPLE THAT YOU’RE ENCOURAGING TO CALL 311 TO REPORT DAMAGE, IS THERE A CERTAIN THRESHOLD OF DAMAGE THEY SHOULD SEE TO REPORT THAT? I MEAN, BECAUSE IT’S A WIDE RANGE OF WHAT PEOPLE. SURE. WELL, THE TWO AREAS THAT WE WANT PEOPLE TO CALL 31141 IS IF YOU SUSTAINED DAMAGE FROM THE J TOWN OR MIDDLETOWN EARLIER THIS WEEK AS A RESULT OF THE LIKELY TORNADO THAT WAS IN OUR COMMUNITY, WE WANT TO KEEP A TRACK, A LIST OF ALL OF THAT DAMAGE. SO THAT’S ONE. AND THE OTHER MAIN CATEGORY THAT WE WANT FOLKS TO REACH OUT TO US ON IS IF THEY SEE A ROAD THAT HAS WATER OR THERE’S A DANGEROUS CONDITION, IF A TREE HAS FALLEN IN A ROAD, IF THERE’S SOME DANGEROUS CONDITION THAT THEY SPOT THAT HAS NOT YET BEEN ATTENDED TO WITH BARRICADES OR YELLOW TAPE TO MARK IT, WE WANT PEOPLE TO CALL US SO WE CAN GET FIRST RESPONDERS OUT THERE RIGHT AWAY TO DEAL WITH THAT. THAT RISK. CAN YOU TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOU GUYS PUSHED OUT TO ASKING PEOPLE TO LIMIT THEIR WATER USE, YOU KNOW, WASHERS, DRYERS, WASHERS AND THINGS LIKE THAT? IF YOU COULD JUST TALK ON THAT. YEAH, PRIMARILY IN AREAS THAT HAVE ARE ON OUR SANITARY SEWER SYSTEM, WHICH IS PRIMARILY MOST OF THE AREAS OUTSIDE OF THE WATTERSON, THOSE SYSTEMS ARE AT CAPACITY. AND SO AS PEOPLE ARE GOING THROUGH THEIR NORMAL DAILY, DAILY USAGES AS FAR AS WASHING AND, AND THOSE TYPE OF THINGS, AS THE MAYOR SAYS, YOU CAN STILL FLUSH, BUT WE’RE ASKING FOLKS TO KIND OF MINIMIZE THEIR WATER USAGE BECAUSE THOSE SYSTEMS ARE AT CAPACITY. AND HOPEFULLY OVER THE NEXT 48 HOURS, AS THE RAIN SUBSIDES, WE WILL BE ABLE TO RETAIN SOME OF THE CAPACITY IN THOSE SYSTEMS. BUT WHAT IT DOES IS IT JUST RESERVES AS MUCH CAPACITY IN THE SYSTEM. THE LESS WATER PEOPLE CAN USE SO THAT WE DON’T HAVE BACKUPS INTO BUSINESSES AND HOMES, OR WE DON’T HAVE SANITARY SEWERS OR PUMP STATIONS THAT ARE OVERFLOWING TO THE ENVIRONMENT. ANY OTHER. CHIEF O’NEILL, CAN YOU TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE WATER RESCUE ON OAK STREET THAT THE MAYOR MENTIONED, HOW THAT WENT, WHAT THE SITUATION WAS. SO THAT CAME IN AT NINTH AND OAK STREET AT ABOUT 11:00 LAST NIGHT. AND THIS WAS ONE THERE WERE NOT BARRICADES UP AT THE TIME, BUT THIS IS WHAT YOU REALLY HAVE TO THINK ABOUT WHEN YOU’RE GOING UNDER A VIADUCT, ESPECIALLY TO BE EXTREMELY CAUTIOUS AT NIGHT, BECAUSE I HAVE NO DOUBT THIS PERSON DID NOT, LIKE, IRRESPONSIBLY DECIDE SHE WAS GOING TO DRIVE THROUGH THE WATER. SHE DIDN’T REALIZE. AND AS YOU’RE COMING ON, YOU MIGHT NOT. IT MAKES IT SEEM AS IF YOU’RE GOING OVER A FLAT ROAD, ESPECIALLY IN LOW LIGHT. IT JUST APPEARS LIKE IT’S PART OF THE ROAD. AND SO SHE ENDED UP DRIVING JUST STRAIGHT INTO THE WATER, INCAPACITATED THE CAR. SHE WAS FINE, HER FAMILY WAS FINE, BUT THEY WERE STUCK. SO WE WERE ABLE TO DEPLOY JUST A SMALL BOAT TO GET TO HER AND THE FAMILY AND GET THEM OUT OF THERE. SO THERE WASN’T NO INJURIES OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT, BUT IT REALLY JUST EXEMPLIFIES THE DANGER, ESPECIALLY IF IT’S DARK. I JUST WANT TO I’M GOING TO ECHO WHAT ABEL SAID. IF YOU DON’T HAVE TO GET OUT AND GO ANYWHERE, DON’T. IS THERE ANYONE THAT YOU’RE ASKING TO EVACUATE NOW OR TO JUST BE AWARE, LIKE TO HAVE BAGS PACKED AND READY? YEAH. THE QUESTION WAS ABOUT, IS THERE ANYONE THAT WE’RE ASKING TO EVACUATE RIGHT NOW? THE ANSWER IS NO. THERE IS NO THERE ARE NO PLANNED EVACUATIONS AT THIS POINT IN TIME. IF FOLKS KNOW THAT THEY LIVE IN LOW LYING AREAS AND THEY’VE EXPERIENCED FLOODING IN THE PAST, IT’S REASONABLE TO EXPECT THAT THERE WILL BE SIMILAR OR WORSE FLOODING OVER THE COMING DAYS HERE. BUT WE WE DO NOT HAVE ANY EVACUATIONS PLANNED AT THIS AT THIS POINT. WE ANTICIPATE MASS MASS RESCUES. THE QUESTION WAS, DO WE ANTICIPATE MASS RESCUES? WE HOPE NOT. IF EVERYONE LISTENS TO THE WARNINGS AND TAKES USES CAUTION, WE’RE HOPEFUL THAT ALL OF OUR FIRST RESPONDERS WITH LMPD, WITH THE FIRE DEPARTMENT, THAT THEY CAN CONTINUE TO DO WHAT THEY LIKE TO FOCUS ON AND THAT THEY’RE NOT NECESSARY. BUT WE’RE WE’RE PREPARED IF IF NECESSARY. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? ALL RIGHT. WELL, WE WILL ALL CONTINUE TO KEEP EVERYONE. UPDATE. PLEASE CONTINUE TO CHECK FOR ROAD CLOSURES AND ANY OTHER INFORMATION. WE’LL CONTINUE TO GET OUT ON OUR WEBSITE AND THROUGH ALL OF OUR SOCIAL MEDIA CHANNELS. AND AGAIN, PLEASE EVERYONE THROUGHOUT THE CITY. PLEASE CONTINUE TO USE CAUTION AND BE SAFE THIS WEEKEND. THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH. ALL RIGHT. YOU’VE BEEN LISTENING TO THE METRO’S RESPONSE TO THE FLOODING SITUATION AND IS A GRAVE CONCERN. THE MAYOR SAYING THAT THIS COULD BE ONE OF THE TOP TEN HIGHEST FLOODS THAT WE’VE EXPERIENCED HERE IN THE METRO. FOR EXAMPLE, ON WEDNESDAY, IT’S THE FLOOD WALL IS SUPPOSED TO CREST AT 35.5FT. NORMAL IS 12FT. SO IF PROJECTIONS COME TO FRUITION, IT IS SUPPOSED TO RAIN AN ADDITIONAL 4 TO 6IN INCHES. IF IT COMES TO FRUITION, WE’RE GOING TO BE CLOSE TO MAJOR FLOOD STATUS ON THE OHIO RIVER, 12.5FT OVER WHAT IS CONSIDERED FLOOD STAGE. WE WILL, OF COURSE, HAVE THE VERY LATEST ON THE FLOODING, INCLUDING JAY’S FORECAST FOR THE RAIN AND STORMS THIS WEEKEND. IT’S ALL SUPPOSED TO STOP ON SUNDAY. WE GOT TO GET TO THAT POINT FIRST. THAT’S AHEA
LIST: Road closures around Louisville area due to flooding
Updated: 11:06 PM EDT Apr 4, 2025
Severe storms are causing flooding across Louisville, which in turn is causing roads to be closed.In video player | Mayor’s Friday update on flood prepsThe following roads in Louisville are closed:Alta Vista Road from Lexington Road to Beargrass RoadNational Turnpike from Mount Holly Road to Fairdale RoadRussell Lee Drive at Stratton AvenueGrade Lane from Melton Avenue to Outer LoopFrankfort Avenue from River Road to Story AvenueStratton Avenue from South 38th Street to Mae Street Kidd AvenueCampbell Street from Adams Street to Franklin StreetAdams Street from East Witherspoon Street to Story AvenueSix Mile Lane at Breckenridge LaneCampbell Street from East Water Street to Adams StreetLower River Road from West Orell Road to Watson LaneIndian Hills Trail from River Bluff Road to River RoadKatherine Station Road from Dixie Highway to bridge These roads will not reopen until the water levels have come down enough that is safe for drivers, officials said.City officials remind people it is against the law to go around barriers.Road conditions: Kentucky & IndianaLouisville Metro Public Works will be posting updated road closures here.Officials are also encouraging drivers who need to be out to use Waze maps, as the road closures will be marked. Other closuresAs of Friday, these roads in Kentucky are closed:Nelson County Dee Head Old Nelsonville Rd Blanton Ford Pottershop Road at Mill Creek Bridge Thornsberry lane in Culvertown Clarktown Rd State Roads Hwy 49 at Avon Fogle Bridge Manton Road at Pottershop Road Howardstown Road (247)
Severe storms are causing flooding across Louisville, which in turn is causing roads to be closed.
In video player | Mayor’s Friday update on flood preps
The following roads in Louisville are closed:
- Alta Vista Road from Lexington Road to Beargrass Road
- National Turnpike from Mount Holly Road to Fairdale Road
- Russell Lee Drive at Stratton Avenue
- Grade Lane from Melton Avenue to Outer Loop
- Frankfort Avenue from River Road to Story Avenue
- Stratton Avenue from South 38th Street to Mae Street Kidd Avenue
- Campbell Street from Adams Street to Franklin Street
- Adams Street from East Witherspoon Street to Story Avenue
- Six Mile Lane at Breckenridge Lane
- Campbell Street from East Water Street to Adams Street
- Lower River Road from West Orell Road to Watson Lane
- Indian Hills Trail from River Bluff Road to River Road
- Katherine Station Road from Dixie Highway to bridge
These roads will not reopen until the water levels have come down enough that is safe for drivers, officials said.
City officials remind people it is against the law to go around barriers.
Road conditions: Kentucky & Indiana
Louisville Metro Public Works will be posting updated road closures here.
Officials are also encouraging drivers who need to be out to use Waze maps, as the road closures will be marked.
Other closures
As of Friday, these roads in Kentucky are closed:
Nelson County
- Dee Head
- Old Nelsonville Rd
- Blanton Ford
- Pottershop Road at Mill Creek Bridge
- Thornsberry lane in Culvertown
- Clarktown Rd
State Roads
- Hwy 49 at Avon Fogle Bridge
- Manton Road at Pottershop Road
- Howardstown Road (247)
