Winter storm updates | Kentucky and Indiana resources, warming centers and more

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. 

What To Do if Traffic Signals Are Not Working:

• Flashing yellow, proceed with caution
• Flashing red, treat as a stop sign
• No signal lights, treat as a 4-way stop

Car emergency kit

If you have to drive during winter weather, make sure to have these items in your car if you become stranded:

• Blanket or warm clothing
• Ice scraper and snow brush
• Flashlight with extra batteries
• Portable phone charger
• First-aid kit
• Bottled water and non-perishable snacks
• Jumper cables
• Small shovel
• Sand, cat litter, or traction mats
• Emergency flares or reflective triangles
• Gloves and hand warmers

Kentucky Roads 

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. 

What To Do When a Downed Power Line Is on the Roadway:

• Never touch or drive over a fallen power line; report the issue to the power company.
• If a power line has fallen on your vehicle, STAY INSIDE, do not exit, and call 911.
• Assume all downed power lines are live and DO NOT attempt to move.

Kentuckians should visit snowky.ky.gov for the latest on travel conditions.

Indiana Roads

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.

Staying safe and protecting your health 

Snow isn't the only concern when winter storms hit our area. Bitter cold is also something to keep an eye on, and there are ways to protect yourself.

If you must be outside, there are some things to prioritize. Doctors at UofL Health-Jewish Hospital stress the importance of wearing enough layers and keeping your hands and feet warm. 

Experts said to think about putting on base layers underneath your warmer items, and waterproof and windproof clothing. 

Shoes with traction are also important, as doctors see injuries from people slipping and falling during snow events. 

Operation White Flag

Operation White Flag goes into effect when temperatures drop below 35 degrees. When a shelter hangs a white flag outside, the shelters work to find space for as many people as possible. Participating shelters include:

• For single men, women, and families
• 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)

The Lord's Kitchen 

• 1811 Standard Avenue
• Louisville, Ky. 40210

The Lord's Kitchen has converted their facility over to house 100 bed shelter during this winter storm. They will start receiving people beginning Saturday morning and also provide hot meals as well.  Anyone is welcome.

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: 

LG&E/KU storm center 

Duke Energy in Indiana

Sledding in Louisville

Louisville Parks and Recreation sledding hills will open during normal park hours (6 a.m. to 11 p.m.) once snow accumulation reaches approximately two to three inches.

This depth allows for safer sledding conditions and helps protect park lawns from turf damage that must be repaired in the spring. Sledding is not permitted on golf courses for the same reason, and sledding should be avoided on hills where blades of grass remain visible through the snowpack.

Designated sledding hills are located at:

• Cherokee Park (Baringer Hill, intersection of Alexander Road and Scenic Loop)
• Joe Creason Park (Trevilian Way, across from Louisville Zoo)
• George Rogers Clark Park (1024 Thruston Avenue, behind playground near McKinley Avenue)
• McNeely Lake Park (6900 Cooper Chapel Road, near Korean War Memorial)
• Charlie Vettiner Park (5550 Charlie Vettiner Park Road, near Easum Road entrance)

Sledding is at one’s own risk, and park users should remain aware of others sharing the hill. To keep sledding areas safe and enjoyable, visitors are encouraged to clean up after themselves and properly dispose of trash, including broken sleds and plastic equipment.

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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