LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Louisville is a wintery mess.

Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg, D-Louisville and Gov. Andy Beshear, D-Kentucky, have both declared state of emergencies.

What You Need To Know

  • Winter storm powered through Kentucky on Jan. 5, 2025 

  •  The storm brough, snow, sleet and ice 

  •  Cherokee Park was filled with sledders

  • Metro Public Works continues to plow

Many spent Sunday at area parks sledding.

“I think it’s amazing. We haven’t had a real snow in three or four years and I’m out here with my kid having fun in it,” said Neal Cox of Louisville.

As the ice continues to build up, Cox worries that his home near the park could be without power.

“We live in the Highlands now and lots of big trees in our yard, too. So, we really may lose power this time,” Cox said.

On Sunday in Louisville, there was an array of weather from this one storm. In the morning it was snowing, by the midday it was a wintry mix, and by the afternoon we saw freezing rain. Ice could be seen freezing around tree branches in Cherokee Park. The concern is branches like those could get heavy, break and fall on power lines.

“Our system’s built to withstand up to about a quarter inch of ice on its own, but then when you have that layered on and you have ice on limbs that fall into our lines, that’s where the problem becomes,” said Chris Whelan, vice president of communications and corporate responsibility for LGE and KU.

In terms of the roads, Metro Public Works said it is plowing its 110 snow routes with salt and calcium chloride mix to combat the ice and freezing rain.

“The road conditions are not optimal, obviously, because of the snowfall and the conditions. So, unless you’re having an emergency, we’re asking you to please stay home; but, if you happen to be out there, watch out for the snowplows and give them room to work,” said Salvador Melendez, Public Information Officer for Metro Public Works.

With many schools having a snow day tomorrow, students are likely to continue sledding down the slippery hills.

“Have fun,” Cox said.

Along with Metro Public Works, emergency officials are asking people to stay off the roads.

Metro Public Works said it is working continuously to get the roads back in safe conditions. By Sunday evening, public works said it was on its second pass of all of its routes.

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