More than seven inches of rain in only five days early this month produced the eighth highest flood level in recorded Louisville history. The Ohio River crested April 9 at 36.63 feet on the upper gauge, three times the normal pool height of twelve feet. The deluge taxed all three utility services MSD provides in one agency, making for a very busy time across the flood protection, wastewater treatment, and stormwater drainage areas.

MSD advises residents whose homes or businesses were recently flooded to follow these guidelines.

Take photographs of the damage before cleanup. Residents are encouraged to begin cleanup as soon as safely possible; floodplain permits are not required before cleanup begins.

Flood cleanup safety tips:
•    Before entering your home, check for damaged power lines, gas lines, foundation cracks and 
    other exterior damage. It may be too dangerous to enter the home.

MSD has started the process of removing floodwall closures, as Ohio River levels continue to trend downward. 

Here is the projected removal schedule.

Friday, April 11: Floodwall closures at 8th and 11th streets 
Saturday, April 12: Riverport 
Sunday, April 13: Second Street
Monday, April 14: Bingham Way
Tuesday, April 15: 10th Street
Wednesday, April 16: 27th Street

MSD has taken 14 of its 16 flood pump stations out of active service as Ohio River levels trend downward.  

The two flood pump stations still in service — Western and Paddy’s Run — are expected to be taken offline this week.

During a flood event that saw more than seven inches of rain in five days, MSD activated all 16 flood pump stations, 65 flood gates and seven floodwall closures.

As rainfall in the region has ended, MSD’s sanitary sewer system capacity is restored.

Floodwall closures are going up Monday afternoon at 8th and 11th streets. 

Closures previously installed at 2nd, 10th, and 27th streets, Bingham Way in downtown Louisville, and Port Road in Riverport remain in place. 

All 16 of MSD's flood pumping stations are in active service. Projections show the Ohio River in Louisville will crest early on April 9 at 35.6 feet on the upper gauge and at 67.9 feet on the lower gauge, both in the “Moderate Flood” mode range as determined by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. 

MSD has all 16 of its flood pumping stations in active service to protect Louisville from inland flooding. Multiple large pumps at each of the stations pull water from overflowing creeks and send it into the Ohio River to prevent flooding of the areas surrounding the creeks.

The flood pumping stations are an element of an overall flood protection system that also protects against the Ohio River overflowing into the city. The system also includes 26.1 miles of floodwall and earthen levee to block river overflows.

MSD has installed five floodwall closures in Louisville Metro due to rising Ohio River levels. 

MSD will install roadway floodwall closures at 10th and 27th streets on April 3. These are openings in the floodwall that typically cars and pedestrians can pass through. Crews will take several hours to install and assemble these closures.

Floodwall closures keep the Ohio River at bay and prevent it from backing onto roadways and property.

FEMA GRANTS PUBLIC NOTICE
MSD has applied for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) grant program funding through the Kentucky Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency (KYEM/HS) as a sub-recipient.