Louisville hasn’t been hit by Winter Storm Landon as exhausting as a few of its neighbors, however officers say town isn’t out of the woods but.
The storm is predicted to convey doubtlessly harmful quantities of ice and sleet to the Ohio River Valley. Temperatures cooled final night time, with heavy rain falling earlier Thursday. Because the afternoon progressed, the rain began to freeze, leaving layers of ice on bushes, energy strains and roads.
John Gordon, a meteorologist with the Nationwide Climate Service, mentioned throughout a Thursday night press convention that Louisville didn’t get as a lot chilly air as close by areas in Southern Indiana, so ice hasn’t collected as a lot on the bottom. However that would change later Thursday night time as temperatures in Louisville dip decrease.
“Our window for ice is between [5 p.m.] and about 8 o’clock tonight, and the nearer we get to eight o’clock, we’ll begin transitioning over to some sleet, after which finally to snow,” Gordon mentioned.
Gordon mentioned many of the main roadways in Louisville are “OK,” however might worsen because the night time progresses. Untreated roads, again roads, bridges and overpasses would be the largest areas of concern.
Some snow and sleet is predicted to fall between 10 p.m. and midnight. Gordon mentioned that may taper off into a really “gentle snow” or “freezing drizzle” within the wee hours of Friday morning.
As soon as the precipitation leaves the world, Gordon mentioned residents can anticipate chilly temperatures to stay round.
“Friday night time, [it’ll be] single digits,” he mentioned. “In the event you dwell in Southern Indiana, may very well be under zero.”
Although elements of western Kentucky have skilled widespread energy outages, Louisville’s grid hasn’t been affected as badly. As of 6 p.m., LG&E’s outage map confirmed about 2,600 clients with out energy.
“We’ve had lower than a handful of wires down and no damaged poles,” mentioned LG&E Media Relations Director Natasha Collins. “That being mentioned, we do proceed to be as ready as doable for what we all know has the potential to come back in over the following a number of hours and in a single day. We additionally proceed to maintain security the highest precedence, which is why I’m going to proceed to emphasize that in case you do come throughout a wire down, please deal with it as an energized energy line. Keep away, give us a name.”
Mayor Greg Fischer mentioned about 56 snow elimination crews have been treating native roads all through the day and can proceed “across the clock.” He urged residents to remain off the road to permit crews to work and to stop accidents.
Fischer additionally requested individuals to take precautions inside their properties, citing fires earlier within the day.
“Arson investigators had decided the reason for a type of fires to be combustibles positioned too near a propane area heater,” he mentioned. “So please, I wish to stress the significance of safely utilizing various heating turbines, gasoline area heaters and fireplaces. Actually suppose by way of that in case you’re taking place that route, and examine the situations round these alternate hearth sources.”
There are nonetheless beds accessible at white flag shelters in Louisville. White flag status goes into impact when temperatures or wind chills fall under 35 levels. Individuals can keep at taking part shelters for so long as the low temperatures persist. These in want of companies can name 502-637-2337 or go to one of many following websites:
- Wayside Christian Mission, 432 E. Jefferson St.
- St. Vincent de Paul, 1034 S. Jackson St. (males solely)
- Salvation Military Heart, 911 S. Brook St. (daytime solely)
In-person services at Louisville’s library and parks, the Waste Discount Heart, Metro Animal Companies Animal Home, and the Louisville Zoo will stay closed Friday. Jefferson County Public Faculties has introduced a snow day, College of Louisville has canceled lessons and closed buildings, and Oldham County Faculties are additionally closed.
