Tips to stay safe as Kentuckiana digs out from winter storm

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Scraping snow and ice off your car isn't a fun job, but it may be your best option for safety and to prevent costly problems.

After the Louisville area got nearly a foot of snow in addition to a layer of ice, there have been reports of hunks of ice sliding off the tops of cars and semis, breaking into pieces as they hit the road.

One person said it happened Tuesday on Interstate 265 when a hunk of ice fell off a truck. The Louisville Metro Police Department issued a reminder on social media Wednesday, saying ice is flying off and causing wrecks or damage.

AAA spokesperson Lynda Lambert said their agents have been busy on the roads.

"We are seeing call volume pick up today, as a matter of fact," Lambert said. "Sunday, Monday (and) yesterday, we had call volume that was higher than a normal day. But today, it's like everybody's decided it's safe to get out again, and they're discovering maybe that their car won't start because their battery is dead."

AAA is expecting more of the same with calls over the weekend because of the expected snow Friday. Lambert said AAA rescues hundreds of thousands of people every year, and the top three reasons for those rescues are dead car batteries, flat tires and people getting locked out of their vehicles. She suggests getting a car serviced to make sure everything is in top condition before heading out on any trips.

Lambert also suggests having an emergency kit in the car at any time, including things like a blanket, extra clothes, snacks and a phone charger. She said for anyone who calls AAA, calls will be prioritized based on the situation. For example, someone with a car broken down on the side of a busy interstate will need help faster than someone with a dead car battery parked in their driveway at home.

She said AAA has gotten questions about ice flying off vehicles.

"There is no law in Kentucky that makes it illegal for you to not clean the snow and ice off your car," Lambert said.

She said some states have laws that fine people up to $1,000, but that's not the case for the commonwealth. However, leaving snow or ice on a vehicle could still cause costly and dangerous problems.

"In Kentucky, we don't have such a law," she said. "However, if you are if you are driving down the highway and your car is covered in snow and ice and a chunk of that falls off, chances are it's going to hit the vehicle behind you and it could damage their windshield, it could dent their car or it could impair their visibility to the point where they end up having a crash. And then you are liable."

Lambert said the safest option is to use a broom to clean off the top of any vehicle to make sure it's free of snow and ice before hitting the road.

Dripping Faucets

Louisville Water Company spokesperson Kelley Dearing Smith said keeping water running through faucets can prevent pipes from freezing and ultimately bursting.

"You can let a small drip — a trickle, a small stream of water — run from a cold water faucet," Dearing Smith said Tuesday.

She said this works best overnight, because, during the day, people are usually awake and home using the water on a regular basis.

As far as how much water to drip or trickle, she said a lot of that is knowing your home and your personal preference. She said it's not necessary to run very much — not even as wide as a pencil.

Dearing Smith said she prefers turning the faucets on a small stream "because the drip, I would not be able to go to sleep if I was listening to that."

She said it's not as expensive as one would think to let the sink drip overnight.

Other suggestions from Louisville Water include knowing where your main water shut-off valve is at home, opening cabinet doors under the sink to let warm air reach the pipes and keeping the garage door closed.

Keeping The Home Warm

Jamason Welker from Bryant Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electric said it's a busy time for the company with calls about furnaces and heating.

He said don't let the household temperature drop below 55 degrees. He suggests keeping the heat around 65 but knows that can be chilly for many. So he said to find the "happy point" where you're comfortable, and the furnace is working to the best of its ability.

Welker suggests taping plastic or placing towels around doors or windows where cold air is getting into the house. He also said to insulate pipes and change air filters at home.

Welker said some tips are very simple, like keeping the doors open throughout the house.

"Some people like to close the doors, but we can get a more even temperature in the house if we leave those doors open," he said. "That allows air to flow from one room to the other."

For detailed tips from Bryant, click here.

Protecting Pets

These freezing temperatures are also a reminder to bring pets indoors.

"We always say, 'If it's too cold for you, it's likely too cold for your pets to be outside as well,'" said Andrea Mattingly with Kentucky Humane Society.

She said, despite their fur coats, pets can get dangerously cold, and their paw pads and noses can be at risk for hypothermia or frostbite if they're outside too long.

Mattingly suggests taking dogs for shorter walks and making sure to not leave them outside for extended periods of time for bathroom breaks.

"If you're not in the capacity to bring an animal inside, see if you have a friend or family member who can," Mattingly said. "Do provide extra blankets. Provide them with a place that is going to be sheltered from all those harsh winds. But if at all possible, please bring them inside and don't leave them to endure the weather temperatures on their own."

Mattingly said neighborhood cats often find their own shelter during freezing temperatures, but, unfortunately, sometimes that includes hiding from the elements under the hood of a car. She suggests banging on the hood to make sure it's clear before starting up the car's engine.

She also said some of the salt on the sidewalks can be toxic if dogs eat it. She said if you take your dog for a walk, be sure to check their paws and wipe off any salt to prevent them from trying to lick it off.

Potential Power Outages

LG&E-KU spokesperson Drew Gardner said more than 60,000 customers were impacted because of this winter storm, but more than 95% have already had their power restored.

With more snow expected in the forecast, Gardner said that's a better situation than the ice that just hit Kentuckiana.

"The conditions that crews are working in have been very difficult," he said. "You have that layer of ice on the ground and equipment, so it's made for some tough working conditions."

Gardner said LG&E has worked to harden the grid and create a system that can withstand the elements. But for each customer, there's not much an individual can do to prevent a power outage.

"I think right now, it's important to have a plan in place before temperatures get really, really cold," he said. "So have that emergency kit ready with ways to stay warm and also have a plan for it you do lose power in these cold temperatures and it may be an extended outage, where can you go?"

The best way to report an outage to LG&E is to use the online site or mobile app, Gardner said.

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