Flash Flooding in Louisville Causes Multiple Rescues and Road Closures

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WAVE) – Flash flooding in Louisville on Tuesday prompted multiple rescues and road closures after heavy rains hit the area.

The National Weather Service reported that the city received 4.22 inches of rain, making it the third-wettest October day recorded in Louisville’s history. This deluge inundated low-lying areas quickly, leaving many drivers stranded.

Monica Harkins, a spokesperson for Louisville Metro Emergency Services (LMES), underlined the need for residents to be aware of potential flooding zones. “The number one thing in a flash flooding situation is knowing where those kinds of zones are that are prone to flooding,” Harkins said.

During the flooding, LMES responded to around 30 water-related emergency calls. First responders, including members of the Louisville Fire Department, successfully rescued several drivers trapped in their vehicles.

Louisville Metro Public Works placed barricades on several flooded roads as a safety measure. Harkins emphasized the importance of obeying these barriers. “It even puts our first responders in danger when [drivers] do that,” she added.

Residents were warned about the severe weather conditions, and Harkins urged everyone to stay informed about forthcoming weather alerts. “For those of our folks that maybe didn’t know there was going to be heavy rainfall, we have precautionary notification systems in place, like LENSAlert or our brand-new emergency management app, LouReady,” she said.

The LouReady app is available for free on the App Store and Google Play, and residents can subscribe to LENSAlert by texting “LENSALERT” to 67283. Harkins pointed out that preparation is crucial in avoiding emergency situations.

<p"The great thing about modern science and meteorology is we do know when we’re going to be experiencing rainfall," she said.

In addition to the rain, Jefferson County Public Schools canceled all after-school activities due to safety concerns related to the flooding.