Disaster Preparedness for Louisville & Jefferson County, Kentucky

Be Ready When Disaster Strikes

ServiceMaster offers comprehensive disaster preparedness services for homeowners and businesses by providing expert restoration after a disaster strikes and offering pre-loss planning programs to mitigate potential damages and expedite recovery.

Understanding Louisville & Jefferson County's Disaster Risks

The Louisville and Jefferson County area faces several natural disaster threats that residents and business owners should prepare for:

Tornadoes: Louisville experiences a much higher tornado risk than both the Kentucky and national averages. The city has a devastating tornado history, most notably the catastrophic April 3, 1974 Super Outbreak—the most intense tornado outbreak in recorded U.S. history. An F4 tornado directly hit Louisville that day, killing three people and injuring more than 200 as it carved a destructive path from near The Fairgrounds through the city's East End, destroying neighborhoods including Cherokee Triangle, Crescent Hill, and Indian Hills. Just across the Ohio River in Brandenburg, Kentucky, an F5 tornado—the only F5 ever recorded in Kentucky—killed 31 people and completely leveled the town.

Flooding: Louisville is prone to both Ohio River flooding and flash flooding throughout the year. In 1937, the worst Ohio River flood in history covered 60% of Louisville and 65 square miles of Jefferson County, evacuating 23,000 people with damages exceeding $1 billion in today's dollars. The 1997 flood saw the Ohio River crest 15.8 feet above flood stage after record rainfall. Flash floods from intense rainfall occur regularly—in September 2006, up to 10 inches of rain fell in 24 hours, killing six people and causing widespread evacuations. Major flash flood events also occurred in March 1997, August 2009, and October 2013.

Severe Thunderstorms: Powerful thunderstorms bring damaging straight-line winds, large hail, dangerous lightning, and torrential rainfall that can trigger flash flooding. These storms can develop year-round in the Louisville area.

Winter Weather: Winter storms bring ice, heavy snow, and freezing conditions that can cause power outages, hazardous travel, frozen pipes, and roof damage from ice accumulation.

Extreme Heat: Summer heat waves pose serious health risks, particularly for vulnerable populations. Louisville experiences hot, humid summers with temperatures that can become dangerous.
Earthquakes: While less common, Louisville has a higher earthquake risk than the Kentucky average due to its proximity to the New Madrid Seismic Zone.

For Homeowners

Know Your Risks

Understand the specific disaster risks in Louisville and Jefferson County, including tornadoes, Ohio River and flash flooding, severe thunderstorms, winter weather, and earthquake risk. Check if your property is in a flood zone near the Ohio River or in low-lying areas prone to flash flooding. Standard homeowners insurance does not cover flood damage—consider purchasing separate flood insurance.

Home Maintenance Plan

Regularly inspect and maintain your home, focusing on vulnerabilities:

• Tornado shelter: Identify your safest location (interior room on lowest floor, away from windows) and practice drills with family
• Roof: Ensure proper attachment to withstand high winds and inspect after storms
• Gutters and drainage: Keep clear to prevent water damage during flash floods
• Sump pump: Test regularly and consider battery backup for power outages
• Foundation: Check for cracks and water seepage, especially in flood-prone areas
• Trees: Trim branches near your home—Louisville's Cherokee Park lost generations of shade trees in 1974
• Pipes and water heater: Insulate to prevent freeze damage during winter
• Emergency supplies: Keep flashlights, batteries, and emergency radio accessible

Disaster Kit

Prepare an emergency kit with essentials including:

• Non-perishable food and water (one gallon per person per day for at least three days)
• Medications and medical supplies
• Flashlights, batteries, and battery-powered or hand-crank NOAA weather radio
• First aid kit
• Important documents in waterproof containers (insurance policies, deeds, medical records)
• Cash and credit cards
• Warm clothing and blankets
• Cell phone chargers and backup power banks
• Pet supplies if applicable
• N95 masks for dust and debris
• Battery-powered or manual can opener
• Tools for shutting off utilities

Stay Informed

• Download the NOAA Weather Radio app and enable Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) on your phone for instant severe weather warnings
• Monitor the National Weather Service Louisville office (weather.gov/lmk) for weather forecasts and tornado warnings
• Check Louisville Metro Emergency Services website (louisvilleky.gov/emergency-services) for local emergency information
• Know your home's designated tornado shelter location and practice emergency plans
• Have multiple ways to receive alerts (phone, weather radio, local TV/radio)
• Be aware that Louisville's 1974 tornado struck during afternoon rush hour with limited warning
• Keep emergency contact information readily available

For Businesses

Pre-Loss Planning

ServiceMaster offers comprehensive pre-loss planning programs that create a customized business continuity strategy and recovery plan tailored to your organization's specific needs and Louisville-area risks.

Partnership Approach

We form a collaborative partnership to thoroughly understand your business's unique vulnerabilities, critical operations, supply chain dependencies, and potential hazards specific to the Louisville and Jefferson County region.

Emergency Response Agreements

Pre-established Emergency Response Agreements ensure faster and more effective recovery after a disaster strikes. With agreements in place, ServiceMaster can mobilize resources immediately when you need us most, minimizing downtime and financial losses—especially critical after tornadoes or floods that can devastate businesses in hours.

Advanced Resource Management

Our team can arrange for:

• Advanced weather monitoring and tornado/flood warning systems
• Power procurement and backup generator solutions
• Equipment and supply staging before anticipated disasters
• Priority response scheduling during emergencies
• Critical document protection and waterproofing strategies
• Employee safety protocols and shelter-in-place procedures
• Flood mitigation assessments for Ohio River and flash flood risks
• Business interruption planning and insurance coordination

24/7 Expert Restoration

When disaster strikes your business, ServiceMaster provides round-the-clock emergency response for commercial restoration services, including:

• Tornado and storm damage restoration
• Water damage restoration and flood cleanup (river flooding and flash floods)
• Fire and smoke damage restoration
• Wind damage repair and roof emergency services
• Emergency board-up and securing
• Mold remediation and air quality restoration
• Contents cleaning and restoration
• Document recovery and drying
• Structural drying and dehumidification
• Complete reconstruction and rebuild services

Local Emergency Resources

Louisville Metro Emergency Services Emergency management, disaster preparedness, and emergency response 410 S. 5th Street, Louisville, KY 40202 Phone: (502) 574-3900 Website: louisvilleky.gov/government/emergency-services

Louisville Metro Public Health & Wellness Emergency public health preparedness and disaster response 400 E. Gray Street, Louisville, KY 40202 Phone: (502) 574-5347 Website: louisvilleky.gov/government/health-wellness

Kentucky Emergency Management (KYEM) - Louisville Office Regional emergency management coordination Bowman Field Armory 3600 Century Division Way, Suite 167, Louisville, KY 40205-3159 Serving Jefferson County and surrounding counties Website: kyem.ky.gov

Kentucky Emergency Management State Office State-level emergency management coordination 100 Minuteman Parkway, Building 100, Frankfort, KY 40601-6168 24-Hour Warning Point: kyemswp@ky-em.org Phone: (502) 607-1600 Website: kyem.ky.gov

National Weather Service - Louisville Office Weather forecasts and severe weather warnings for Louisville area 6201 Theiler Lane, Louisville, KY 40229-1476 Phone: (502) 969-8842 Website: weather.gov/lmk

Metropolitan Sewer District (MSD) Floodplain management and flood information 700 W. Liberty Street, Louisville, KY 40203 Phone: (502) 587-0603 Website: louisvillemsd.org
Emergency Services For life-threatening emergencies, always call 911 For non-emergency assistance, call 311 or visit louisvilleky.gov

How to Get Started

For Businesses

Schedule a meeting with a ServiceMaster Pre-Loss Planning expert to:

1. Conduct a comprehensive property inspection and risk assessment
2. Identify vulnerabilities specific to your business operations and Louisville location
3. Assess flood risk from both Ohio River flooding and flash floods
4. Develop a personalized disaster preparedness and recovery strategy
5. Establish an Emergency Response Agreement for priority service
6. Create a business continuity plan with clear action steps and communication protocols
7. Implement tornado shelter procedures and employee safety training
8. Train staff on emergency procedures, evacuation plans, and shelter-in-place protocols

For Homeowners

Follow these preparedness steps to protect your family and property:

1. Assess your home's vulnerabilities to Louisville-area disasters, especially tornado and flood risk
2. Identify your home's safest tornado shelter location and practice drills with family
3. Create or update your family emergency plan, including communication protocols
4. Build or refresh your disaster supply kit with seasonal considerations
5. Review your insurance coverage—ensure adequate protection including flood insurance if in a flood-prone area
6. Keep ServiceMaster's contact information readily available for emergency restoration needs
7. Document your belongings with photos or video for insurance purposes
8. If in a flood-prone area, know how to shut off utilities and consider flood mitigation measures
9. Consider installing a safe room or reinforcing an interior room for tornado protection

Historical Disasters: Lessons from Louisville's Past

The 1974 Super Outbreak (April 3, 1974)

The worst tornado outbreak in U.S. history—and Louisville's darkest day:

• 148 Tornadoes in 24 Hours: The most intense tornado outbreak ever recorded
• F4 Louisville Tornado: Struck during afternoon rush hour, killing 3 and injuring over 200. Destroyed homes and businesses from The Fairgrounds through Cherokee Triangle, Crescent Hill, Rolling Fields, Indian Hills, and Northfield
• F5 Brandenburg Tornado: Just across the river in Meade County, an F5 tornado (the only F5 ever in Kentucky) completely leveled Brandenburg, killing 31 people out of a population of 3,000
• Regional Devastation: Between Kentucky and Indiana, 126 people died and at least 2,145 were injured
• Cherokee Park Destroyed: Generations of glorious shade trees were splintered and fallen like matchsticks
• Legacy of Preparedness: Led to improved early warning systems, enhanced radar, better tornado prediction, and emergency siren systems throughout Jefferson County
• Life-Saving Broadcasts: WHAS Radio's Dick Gilbert provided riveting aerial reports that saved countless lives with advance warnings

The Great Flood of 1937

The worst Ohio River flood in history:

• 60% of Louisville Underwater: The flood covered 65 square miles of Jefferson County
• 23,000 Evacuated: Thousands were left homeless as factories closed and work stopped
• Damages: Over $1 billion in today's dollars
• River Crest: The Ohio River reached nearly 30 feet above flood stage
• Modern Protection: The flood wall constructed in 1948-1957 and completed sections in the 1980s now protect Louisville. The southwest floodwall successfully passed its test during the 1997 flood

The 1997 Flash Flood and Ohio River Flood (March 1997)

• Record Rainfall: Severe flash flooding from record rainfall over a 2-day period in southern Louisville Metro
• Ohio River Crest: One week after the flash flooding, the Ohio River crested 15.8 feet above flood stage
• 87 Counties Declared Disasters: The President declared 87 of Kentucky's 120 counties federal disaster areas
• 21 Deaths in Kentucky: An estimated $250-500 million in damages across Kentucky, exceeding $1 billion region-wide

September 2006 Flash Flood

• 10 Inches in 24 Hours: Up to 10 inches of rain fell on parts of Jefferson County
• 6 Deaths: The worst general flood since March 1997
• Widespread Evacuations: Over 100 residents evacuated from Bent Creek Apartments in Buechel
• Major Road Closures: Interstate 64 closed, three feet of water on 29th Street

Why Choose ServiceMaster?

• Local Expertise: We understand Louisville and Jefferson County's unique disaster risks and have extensive experience serving the region
• Rapid Response: 24/7 emergency services ensure we're there when you need us most—crucial when tornadoes strike with little warning or flash floods develop rapidly
• Tornado & Flood Restoration Specialists: Extensive experience with both tornado damage and all types of flooding (river flooding and flash floods)
• Advanced Technology: State-of-the-art equipment including industrial water extraction, structural drying, and emergency roof tarping
• Insurance Coordination: We work directly with your insurance company to streamline the claims process
• Comprehensive Services: From initial emergency response to complete restoration and reconstruction
• Trusted Partner: Licensed, bonded, and insured professionals committed to your recovery
• Proven Track Record: Successfully restored thousands of properties after major Louisville disasters

Contact ServiceMaster

Don't wait until disaster strikes. Contact us today to discuss your preparedness plan or for immediate emergency restoration services.

Emergency? We're available 24/7/365