LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Snow and bitter cold weather is aimed at Louisville, Kentucky and southern Indiana.
WDRB meteorologists forecast 1 to 5 inches of snow Thursday night into Friday morning, with an additional 1 to 3 inches of snow expected Saturday evening.
Experts in Louisville said there are three things people can do before the snow starts:
- Stock up on food, water, medication and pet supplies.
- Park off the street when possible to help plows and emergency vehicles.
- Charge phones, tablets and flashlights in case of power outages.
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Snow and driving
Metro Louisville and Jefferson County
Snow is always a concern for roadways. Louisville Metro Public Works covers 2,750 miles of roads divided into 111 routes to systematically clear ice and snow. Snow routes get priority because they are focused on streets that carry the most traffic or connect people to big employers, neighborhoods, schools or medical facilities.
To check the Metro Louisville Snow Map to see which streets have been treated, click here.
You can also use the TRIMARC map and area cameras to check real-time conditions and hazards on area roads. Click here.
Kentucky
Kentucky Emergency Management is reminding people to take it easy on snowy roads.
Slow down, don't use cruise control and increase following distance. Remember black ice can form on any road, and bridges freeze first. Give snowplows plenty of room and stay alert for changing road conditions.
With salt domes filled in every county and more than 1,500 plow trucks on deck, Kentucky Transportation Cabinet staff, crew members and contractors across much of Kentucky begin pretreating roads in advance of any winter weather.
Kentuckians should visit snowky.ky.gov for the latest on travel conditions.
Indiana
The Indiana Department of Transportation said drivers often aren't prepared for winter driving and forget to take it slow. Drive well below the posted speed limit and leave plenty of room between cars.
Roads that seem dry may actually be slippery – and dangerous. Take it slow when approaching intersections, off-ramps, bridges or shady areas — all are hot spots for black ice.
For the latest information concerning road conditions visit Indiana Travel Conditions, or call 1-800-261-ROAD (7623) or 5-1-1 from your cell phone. All services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Bitter cold expected
Following the winter weather system, dangerously cold temperatures are moving into the region. Wind chills could be below or near 0 degrees for most of Kentucky and southern Indiana.
In Louisville, Emergency Management told people to take care of the basics by staying warm and staying connected.
- Keep extra blankets and safe heat sources on hand (never use ovens for heat).
- Check on elderly neighbors or anyone needing assistance.
- Sign up for LENSAlert for city updates.
- Download the LouReady app. The app is free to download. To download the app on the Apple App Store, click here. To download it on the Google Play Store, click here.
Operation White Flag
Operation White Flag goes into effect during periods of extreme cold. When a shelter hangs a white flag outside, the shelters work to find space for as many people as possible. Participating shelters include:
- 432 E. Jefferson St.
- No reservations required during White Flag; first come, first served
- Capacity: 200 (100 with mats)
Salvation Army
- For single men and women
- 911 S. Brook St.
- Check-ins: women at 5:30 p.m. and men at 6 p.m.
- Reservations: Call 502-637-2337, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. (optional, guarantees a bed)
- Capacity: 10 beds for men, 10 for women
- Day shelter: Mon–Fri, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (meals provided before and after overnight stays)
Daytime warming centers
Two day-warming centers will operate during extreme weather:
Louisville Metro Emergency Management is reminding the public to have a plan to deal with the cold — both at home and if you are going outside. At home, make sure you have flashlights, extra food, and all your prescriptions. If you're on the road, you'll want to have jumper cables, reflective material, and a full tank of gas.
Power outages
Power outages are possible in any weather, but outages are particularly dangerous in cold weather.
Here are links to check outages or to report an outage:
Build an emergency kit
The U.S. government's "Ready" pages suggests keeping an emergency kit on hand that includes a battery-powered radio, flashlights for everyone in the family, fresh batteries for any devices, a first-aid kit, and over-the-counter and prescription medications. For a more comprehensive list of items you should keep on hand, click here.
Pets and the cold
Do not leave pets outdoors when the temperature drops. The Kentucky Humane Society says if you have outdoor dogs or cats bring them inside. Pets are at risk of frostbite, hypothermia and death during extreme cold snaps, and wind chill is particularly dangerous. Exposed skin on noses, ears and paws can quickly freeze and suffer permanent damage.
KHS also has a Pet Resources Services number at 502-509-4738.
If you know of an animal left outside in the cold without extra protection, you can report it to Louisville Metro Animal Services at 502-473-PETS (7387).
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