Louisville officials explain dangers of driving through high waters as list of road closures grow

Officials blocked off the area after the driver got stuck.
Officials blocked off the area after the driver got stuck.(WAVE 3 News)
Updated: Feb. 12, 2019 at 4:28 PM EST
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LOUISVILLE, KY (WAVE) - Roads around Metro Louisville are beginning to close as the Ohio River continues to rise.

It’s important to remember not to drive in high water.

“Turn around, don’t drown,” Louisville’s National Weather Service Meteorologist-in-charge John Gordon said. “We’ve got road waterways all over the place that have issues. Do not, never ever, never ever, never ever drive through flooded roads.”

“Even if the water looks passable, you can’t see the conditions of the road underneath it,” Jody Meiman, director of Louisville Metro Emergency Services, elaborated. " There could be sewer caps that could be removed which could cause some problems, somebody could fall into that. Obviously, we don’t want anybody planing in that or going into the water."

ARDOT District 5 Engineer Bruce Street said several routes have closed due to rain. (Source:...
ARDOT District 5 Engineer Bruce Street said several routes have closed due to rain. (Source: KAIT-TV)((Source: KAIT-TV))

>> RELATED STORY: Henry County roadway closed due to mudslide

Meiman also broke down just how much water it takes for a vehicle to get stuck in the high waters.

“It only takes six inches of water to stall a car. Six inches of moving water can actually move a person and sweep them off their feet,” explained Meiman. “Twelve inches of water can float and sweep a small car. Eighteen to 24 inches of water can move something as large as an SUV or a large truck.”

Give yourself more time to get from point "A" to point “B.”

“Take your time,” Meiman said. “Allow plenty of time for travel. Especially as these heavy rain busts come into the area. Night time is even more dangerous. You can’t see the water sometimes. Lighting may be bad, so you’ll want to look for that.”

Below is a list of roads currently affected by the high waters:

  • Catherine Station Rd has been closed
  • 7th St & Berry Blvd  viaduct - closed down the right East Bound lane
  • Mockingbird Valley Rd from Mellwood Ave to River Rd has been closed
  • W River Rd from Edith to Zorn has been closed
  • 4th Street from Main St to River Rd was closed without signs Tuesday morning. Signs have since been put out
  • Juniper Beach Rd has been closed
  • Harbortown Rd has been closed
  • 6th St from Main St to River Rd is still closed
  • 7th & 8th street have been closed from River Rd to Main St
  • Frankfort Ave at River Rd has been closed
  • Beargrass Rd & from Seneca Park Rd to Scenic Loop has been closed
  • Witherspoon from River Rd to Shelby has been closed
  • River Rd from Mockingbird Valley to Indian Hills Trl has been closed
  • River Rd from Indian Hills Trl to Blankenbaker Ln has been closed
  • Captains Quarters Rd from River Rd to the End has been closed
  • Transylvania Beach Rd has now gone from High Water signs to closed
  • Barricades were put up at Zorn Ave & Mellwood Ave & Mellwood Ave & Lake Place
  • Edith Ave & River Rd and Edith Ave & Mellwood Rd have high water signs out
  • River Rd at Lime Kiln Ln barricades have been put out and road has been closed
  • Captain Quarters to Lime Kiln road has been closed

According to UofL’s Kenny Klein, those attending the UofL basketball game Tuesday night will not be able to turn right onto River Road exiting at Third Street off I-64. Fans should arrive early for the blackout game, as it’s approaching a sellout.

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