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Mayor, city leaders urging residents to be extremely cautious and prepare for incoming weather conditions
Gusty winds and rain, followed by frigid, dropping temperatures
LOUISVILLE, KY (January 12, 2024) – Mayor Craig Greenberg and the National Weather Service (NWS) advise residents to use caution and prepare for the incoming active weather pattern expected to impact Louisville today through early next week.
Louisville is currently under a High Wind Warning until 7 p.m. tonight. According to the NWS, damaging wind gusts greater than 50 mph are likely for today into early Saturday. There is a potential for accumulating snow Sunday night into early next week. Bitterly cold temperatures will follow in the wake of the potential snow as an arctic cold front pushes into the region. Air temperatures will likely range from single digits to teens Monday through Wednesday, and wind chills will fall below zero at times.
“With dangerously cold temperatures and winter weather on the way, we’re taking the steps necessary to keep Louisville safe,” said the Mayor. “As the temperature plummets, we need everyone who can to stay indoors and avoid driving as much as possible. If you must be out, please use extreme caution.”
The Metro Snow Team is ready. Their preparedness started in October, when they conducted mock runs on their snow routes to ensure both equipment and personnel are ready for winter weather.
They will report in Sunday afternoon and perform equipment and materials inspections. If there is no rain prior to any snowfall, they will apply brine to Metro’s snow routes. They will work twelve-hour intervals to make sure they provide around the clock event coverage for as long as necessary to ensure our roadways are in safe driving condition. There are more than 200 snowfighters and 200 pieces of equipment ready and available.
With 38,000 tons of salt on hand, the Snow Team is led by Metro Public Works under the leadership of Director Jennifer Caummisar-Kern and Assistant Director for Roads and Operations Mike Nolan. The Public Works Solid Waste Management and Signs & Markings Divisions, Metro Parks, the Department of Codes & Regulations’ Vacant Lots Division and the Department of Fleet Services are also part of the team.
The Snow Team will pretreat roads with brine ahead of snowfalls when appropriate. Brine is a saltwater solution that reduces the adherence of snow and ice to pavement and reduces slick spots.
To stay informed on the Snow Team’s progress, click on the METRO SNOW MAP https://www.lojic.org/snow-map and follow them on Facebook and X @LouPubWorks.
Agency updates and safety tips (listed in ABC order)
Animal Services
Louisville Metro Animal Services (LMAS) is advising residents to bring pets inside during frigid temperatures. If it’s too cold for you, it’s too cold for them. Please contact Animal Control to report pets left outside without proper shelter. If residents are unsure whether to place a service request, LMAS encourages residents to call and report at 502-473-PETS.
LMAS will be handing out free straw to residents of Jefferson County on Saturday, Jan. 13th from noon – 4 p.m. at its Animal Care Complex located at 3528 Newburg Road, while supplies last.
Emergency alerts
Because any weather pattern can change, the city is urging all residents to sign up for LENSAlert and Smart911 to receive weather updates, travel advisories and safety information. Additionally, residents can plan for emergencies by filling out their safety profile on Smart911 to give 9-1-1 the information they need to help in an emergency. Text “LENSALERT” to 67283 to sign up for alerts.
Emergency kits
Residents can prepare for the incoming frigid weather by fully stocking emergency kits.
- For the vehicle – jumper cables, flares or a reflective triangle, ice scrapper, blanket, car cell phone charger, cat litter or sand for better tire traction.
- For the home – flashlight, first aid kit, batteries, water and food, prescription medications and an extra cell phone battery or chargers.
For the full emergency supply list, click here.
Libraries
All Louisville Free Public Library locations will remain open with regular operating hours. As conditions change, please check the library's website, LFPL.org, or social media for updates. Please note that all LFPL locations will be closed on Monday, Jan. 15, in observance of the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday.
Louisville Fire Department The Louisville Fire Department reminds residents to use safety precautions when dealing with the cold in their homes:
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Generators: Do not use generators indoors or inside attached garages and remember to keep them at least 10 feet away from the home. When fueling the generator, make sure the engine is stopped, always use the recommended type of fuel and allow it to cool down for at least 15 minutes before refueling and 30 minutes after prolonged use.
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Carbon Monoxide: Never warm a vehicle in a closed garage; clear snow from outdoor vents and frequently test carbon monoxide detectors. Always use gas-burning ovens and stoves appropriately and never use them to heat a residence.
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Space heaters: Make sure your heaters meet the industry’s testing standards and have built-in safety features, like an automatic shut off or an overheat shut off feature. Do not use if the electrical cord is damaged, always unplug when leaving the room or going to bed and remember to keep space heaters at least 3 feet away from any combustibles, draperies or furniture.
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Downed trees and power lines: DO NOT handle any telephone, cable, or electrical lines, as they may be electrically charged; and DO NOT attempt to move or go near tree limbs on your home or near electrical lines, as they may be charged.
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When using a fireplace: Make sure it has been serviced by a certified technician and keep fires small. Always make sure the flue is in working condition and use a screen to keep embers and sparks inside the fireplace.
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Candles: Flashlights and battery-operated candles are recommended for emergency lighting. If you are using real candles, be sure they are in a sturdy non-combustible container, keep them clear of combustibles and never leave them unattended. Be sure to extinguish candles before leaving the home or going to sleep.
Louisville Metro Office of Resilience and Community Services (RCS)
All RCS staff, with the exception of some Homeless Services Division outreach specialists, will be off Monday, Jan. 15 in observance of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day holiday. For general inquiries about Metro RCS, call 502-574-5050.
Outreach specialists from the Homeless Services Division will work Sunday, and through the Monday holiday, providing connection to local services and transportation to local shelters.
Operation White Flag goes into effect when the temperature or the wind chill is below 35 degrees. All persons needing shelter can stay at the participating shelters while weather conditions persist. The participating Operation White Flag shelters include:
Salvation Army:
- White Flag is available for single men and women.
- Address: 911 S. Brook Street
- White Flag Check in begins at 6 p.m. and continues until 10 p.m., depending on availability.
- A person can make a reservation for White Flag at Salvation Army by calling the Coordinated Shelter Access (CSA) line at 637-2337 between 10 a.m. – 1 p.m., seven days a week. A reservation is not required, but it will guarantee a bed.
- Capacity is 30 beds for men and 10 beds for women.
- The Day Shelter is open Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Meals are available prior to shelter check in at 5 p.m. and after check out each morning.
Wayside Christian Mission:
- White Flag is available for single men, women, and families (accepts cats and dogs).
- Address: 432 E. Jefferson Street
- Check in for White Flag begins at the time White Flag is called for the day.
- No reservations are needed for Wayside White Flag – it is first come, first serve.
- Wayside capacity is around 200, with mats available to the first 100.
To locate the nearest shelter and to reserve a bed, residents can call the Coordinated Shelter Access line at (502) 637-2337. For all other inquiries and for help with other city services, call Metro311 or 502-574-5000. If the CSA line is closed (open 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.), contact the shelter directly. If an individual is banned from any particular shelter, it is up to the staff on whether or not the individual is admitted.
To get White Flag notifications and shelter availability updates, residents can opt-in for RAVE alerts from the Continuum of Care (CoC). To enroll, fill out this Google form. Louisville Metro Homeless Services Division is coordinating with grassroots outreach organizations to ensure the safety of individuals who stay unsheltered.
How to help? The Coalition for the Homeless put together a “Winter Donation Needs” to help Louisvillians meet the needs of people experiencing homelessness by giving the right item to the right team at the right time. Visit here for more info: https://louhomeless.org/winter-needs/
The St. John Center, which operates a day shelter providing fresh coffee, hot showers, and a place for guests to receive personal mail and phone calls, is actively seeking donations of winter essentials, including hats, gloves, hand warmers, and Hanes boxer briefs. Donations can be dropped off at the shelter located at 700 E. Muhammad Ali Blvd. or by visiting their Amazon wishlist at https://buff.ly/3tsEkn.
All Neighborhood Places will be open during inclement weather unless the Mayor designates all Metro offices closed. All Neighborhood Places will, however, be closed Monday, Jan. 15 in observance of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day holiday.
Residents inquiring about LG&E utility disconnections for non-payment, please contact the Bridges of Hope Neighborhood Place at 502-634-6050. For a list of Neighborhood Place sites, phone numbers, etc., contact Metro311 or 502-574-5050 or visit louisvilleky.gov/neighborhoodplace.
The Senior Nutrition program, which includes Congregate Sites and Meals On Wheels, will close if JCPS moves to Non-Traditional Instruction. All clients of home-delivered food will be notified of any closures or changes on the day of their delivery, and accommodations for emergency deliveries or alternative delivery days can be made. We will resume our normal operations following any temporary closures due to inclement weather.
Louisville Metro Police Department
During severe weather conditions, LMPD will respond to motor vehicle collisions when there is a report of injury, or the roadway is blocked. LMPD asks motorists to exchange information such as names, addresses, and auto insurance. LMPD also requests that motorists go to the following link https://www.louisville-police.org/337/Report-an-Accident to report a non-injury accident.
Louisville Zoo
The Louisville Zoo is scheduled to be open to the public during normal business hours on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Jan. 15. In the event the Zoo needs to close due to inclement weather, that decision will be announced on Louisville Zoo’s website at LouisvilleZoo.org and its social media accounts.
Sidewalks In the event of snow and ice, homeowners are reminded that they are responsible to shovel the sidewalk in front of a house they own or rent within a timely matter of 24 hours. This includes keeping the area free of all overhanging trees, shrubs, and other debris that block walkways.
Sledding hills
Louisville Parks and Recreation will open sledding hills in six local parks (Cherokee, Joe Creason, George Rogers Clark, McNeely Lake, Tyler, and Charlier Vettiner parks) for kids and adults to enjoy from 9 a.m. – 11 p.m. on days when the snow accumulation reaches 2-3 inches. For locations, rules and safety tips, visit www.bestparksever.com.
TARC
During winter weather, TARC aims to maintain regular scheduled service as long as it is considered safe to do so. This is to keep vital transportation options open for the community. Winter weather detours are based on the current conditions of the road and the TARC team closely monitors the situation when winter weather moves into the area. When it becomes necessary to implement detours due to winter weather, TARC will communicate the detours via TARC’s website and social media channels, text and email alerts to subscribers, and via news advisories to the region’s press outlets. Detours will last only as long as they are necessary to maintain the safety of TARC riders and the community. Community members who want to receive text or email alerts from TARC can subscribe at https://www.ridetarc.org/alerts/. While waiting for the bus, TARC urges riders to bundle up with layers and cover exposed skin to avoid hypothermia and frostbite.
Utilities
Safety is LG&E’s top priority. Customers and the general public are reminded to stay away from downed wires, treat them as energized power lines and call LG&E at (502) 589-1444 to make them aware of the location. LG&E customers can use the utility’s mobile app to keep an eye on the LG&E and KU outage map, report an outage and keep track of weather conditions. The app is accessible from the Apple and Google stores.
Louisville Water reminds homeowners to take precautions to help prevent their pipes from freezing and bursting – wrap exposed pipes with an insulating material, locate and tag your water shutoff valve, cover crawl spaces and outside vents, keep garage doors closed, and run a small steady stream of water from a cold-water faucet to keep the water flowing. It’s a good idea to turn off any outside faucets. A majority of the time, frozen water service lines happen on the customer’s property and Louisville Water cannot help. Proactive maintenance before the frigid temperatures is important.
Warming Centers
All Louisville Metro Government (LMG) buildings (libraries, community centers) that are normally open to the public will be open as warming centers during their normal business hours. Please note that LMG buildings will be closed on Monday, Jan. 15 in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Louisville Water is ready to manage through the cold as temperatures will plunge even further this weekend. Often during a bitter cold period, customers have problems with frozen plumbing on their property. Louisville Water can’t repair private plumbing, but we can offer these proactive measures to help prevent pipes from freezing and possibly bursting.
When temperatures fall below freezing (32 degrees), it’s a good idea to take these precautions:
• Wrap exposed pipes with insulating material. You can purchase these materials from a hardware store.
• If your home has a crawl space, cover the outside vents to prevent winter winds from freezing the pipes. Remember to turn off outside faucets and disconnect garden hoses.
• If your house has a slab foundation, close the garage door. Some pipes are located under concrete floors in the garage.
In cases of extreme cold weather, Louisville Water recommends allowing cold water to drip (about the size of a pencil point) from faucets near exterior facing walls or from faucets close to pipes that are prone to freezing. This small trickle keeps water flowing through the pipes which helps prevent them from freezing. Note: It’s important to keep the amount of running water limited to a small drip. Too much water can add up over time. With that said, paying a few extra dollars a month is nothing compared to the cost and headache of a busted pipe!
You should know how to turn off the water, especially in the case of a water emergency. In most homes, the main shutoff valve is located near the hot water heater or in the basement, a crawl space, utility closet, or garage. Once you find it, tag the valve with a waterproof hanger or ribbon. Louisville Water provides free tags for customers at its downtown office on Third Street. Simply ask a customer agent for one when you visit us.
Louisville Water has a winter weather response plan. This includes checking inventory on materials and having multiple crews on standby. We also have a dedicated salt truck to keep the company parking lot clear for crews to navigate and to treat icy roads at emergency locations. The safety of our crews is a top priority. They take regular breaks inside heated vehicles and the larger trucks are stocked with portable heaters.
You can trust that we are doing everything we can to keep the Louisville Pure Tap®
flowing!
Two last Pure Tap pro-tips:
• Remember to stay hydrated. Cold air has less humidity and that dry air can lead to dehydration. Don't mistake "not feeling thirsty" for being properly hydrated. Fill up those water bottles with Pure Tap!
• Know your typical water usage. How many gallons of water does your household typically use? That’s helpful when you see an unexpected increase from one billing cycle to the next. We’ve made it easier to track your usage with Pure Connect℠. Pure Connect shows your water consumption trends. You can also sign up for alerts in case of unusual activity, which could indicate a leak.
Spring 2024 Registration will be held on
Monday, January 22, 2024 from 5:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, January 27, 2024 from 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
at
The Jeffersonian (Jtown Community Center)
10617 Taylorsville Road 40299
Age groups for players with birth years 2005 through 2019
For more information:
www.jysarec.com
Change in Zoning-Form District Pre-Application
24-ZONEPA-0002 4501 Lochridge - MRC Development
4501 LOCHRIDGE PKY 20 01/08/2024 01/24/2024 Dante St. Germain
A change in zoning from R4 to R5 & PRD on 12.24 acres for both attached and detached single-family homes
23-DDP-0116 Old Heady Subdivision 12/05/2023 01/17/2024 Ethan Lett
a revised district development plan for a 116-lot subdivision
23-MPLAT-0167 Minor Subdivision Plat 12000 TAYLORSVILLE RD 40299 20 12/12/2023 01/17/2024 Sydney Fawcett
A minor plat to create 2 tracts from 1 tract on 6.4 acres in the R4 zoning district
23-RSUB-0005 Old Heady Subdivision 12/04/2023 01/17/2024 Ethan Lett
a revised district development plan for a 116 lot subdivision on 56 acres
 
The original Cocoa with a Cop event on January 10th has been rescheduled to January 17th.
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MEET YOUR LEGISLATORS at The Louisville Free Public Library
Updated services will include DAPP, Bordetella as well as rabies vaccines. Licensing and microchipping can also be obtained at this event.
Come check out the new Jeffersontown Firehouse!
Sponsored by Councilwoman Parker and Councilmen Benson and Kramer.
Please join library leadership and design architects on Monday, January 22 (6-7:30 p.m.) at Fern Creek High School when we unveil the renderings for the new Fern Creek Library and gather feedback on what services and materials the community would like to see offered.
The Louisville Zoo will host a job fair on January 20 in the Islands Pavilion Gheens Room from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Zoo is seeking outgoing, highly motivated individuals who enjoy working with the public to fill seasonal positions in various departments. Positions are available in Admissions, Animal Department Education, Front Desk, Guest Services, Horticulture, Marketing, Membership and Rides & Attractions. Candidates will receive training in their area. Animal and Education departments require additional experience.
The compensation for seasonal positions starts at $16.65 per hour. All applicants must be at least 16 years of age and able to work a variable schedule that includes nights and weekends from March through October. Some positions require applicants to be 18 years of age and possess a valid driver’s license. For positions requiring CPR/First Aid Certification, the Zoo will provide training.
Seasonal positions in the Zoo’s animal departments require one year of college with a declared major in biology or a closely related field, as well as one year of working with animals in an institutional setting.
To apply for seasonal positions in the education department, candidates must have completed one year of college seeking a degree in elementary or secondary education, have one year of experience working with children in a formal or informal teaching setting (school, day camp, zoo or other cultural attraction), and have background knowledge of biology, ecology or related fields.
In addition to working in a unique environment, seasonal Zoo employees receive free Zoo admission and parking for the duration of their employment term as well as discounts in Zoo gift shops and food concession locations with Zoo ID.
The Zoo has full and part-time positions available in various areas. Please visit louisvilleky.gov/humanresources for information on the positions and how to apply.
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