Officials outline Louisville snow response as region braces for weekend winter storm

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Crews across Louisville are gearing up as a winter storm with bitter cold temperatures is expected to hit the region Saturday afternoon.

A Winter Storm Warning was issued for the Kentuckiana area Thursday, starting at 1 a.m. Saturday to 7 a.m. Monday.

WDRB's meteorologists are forecasting a heavy snow mixed with sleet and freezing rain with totals ranging from 10-14 inches. Those totals could change as the forecast updates Thursday and Friday.

City leaders outlined the preparations underway Thursday to prepare for the storm as crews put brine on roads. 

Weather Forecast | Live Cams | Radar | Share Photos & Videos | WDRB Closings and Delays

Bill Bell, director of the Louisville Metro Department of Transportation said crews have been out brining Thursday and will continue to do so throughout the night. Bell said they have an "additive" ready to add when temperatures drop. It's a combination of molasses and magnesium chloride, a chemical that keeps it from freezing and keeps precipitation from adhering to the asphalt. 

When plowing begins

Bell said salting would start Saturday morning. Once accumulation starts and gets up to about two inches, plows would start hitting the roads.

Wes Sydnor, executive director of Metro Public Works, said they are implementing suggestions included in a report conducted by a consultant called in to review the city's snow response. Those include equipment upgrades, making sure staffing is where it needs to be and an increase in brining. Sydnor said they've done more brining this year than "maybe several years combined."

"We have a significant snow event coming in, we just caution folks to take their time. If they have the ability to stay indoors, stay in. Let the crews, that do an amazing job for Metro, let them get out and do the work that they do. Also, if you can exhibit some patience, that would be beneficial. If you're around our trucks, give our trucks and our folks plenty of room to do their work," Sydnor said.

Officials said they're gong to work "through the completion of the event," pulling every resource possible to address "potentially a historic snowfall."

"Again, show some patience and give yourself plenty of time, always have a plan in terms of, you know, if you're leaving the house, if you're on the road make sure you have supplies and things to have with you in case you get stuck somewhere or something happens," Sydnor said. "Again, if you can stay off the roads this weekend while we're doing this work of treating, that would be the preference."

Bell said the city has a contractor on standby to help with clearing additional roadways if needed.

Snow routes

Those who live along emergency snow routes are asked to move their vehicles. Sydnor said that's critical to make sure crews can get through to clear the roadways and get the snow off the road, as well as to prevent vehicles from being snowed in. He added that the department would be working with Louisville Metro Police when it comes to vehicles on snow routes.

Damage from snow plows

If a snow plow damages a vehicle or piece of property in the process, Sydnor said staff are instructed to stop and note an incident. If you have a claim, call Metro 311. Sydnor said they will have a team that will come out and address it.

"It's a human effort. The intent is to go out and have a perfect run and never have an incident, but you are talking about bad weather and sometimes slick conditions, so that can happen," he said. "We don't want that to happen, but we will make it right when those situations happen."

Bell added that if they can send a supervisor at the time of an incident, they will, but it's dependent on the conditions and the weather. He reiterated that if something does happen, call Metro 311. 

As temperatures drop over the next few days, Bell and Sydnor said they would be making operational changes depending on the changing temperatures.

"We are dedicated, we have a great team that is working on this and we have great resources that we are pulling in and we will work around the clock until everyone is ready to go and things are back to a state of somewhat normalcy," Sydnor said.

Road salt reserves

City crews aren't worried about salt supply, as there are reserves they're able to pull from should the salt domes run out.

The city's snow routes are mapped online. Though not "exactly" in real time, Sydnor said routes are updated as they are in progress or completed. The map can be found on the city's website by clicking here.

For more resources from the city and information about the city's snow response, click here.