LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Louisville’s Emergency Management Agency believes an area around Blankenbaker Parkway and Campus Place is the hardest hit in Jefferson County from the severe storms overnight Wednesday into early Thursday morning.
Shortly before midnight Wednesday evening, a power line of thunderstorms roared into the Louisville area. Strong winds and a possible tornado tore roofs off businesses and damaged homes into the early hours of Thursday in Metro.
“It completely took out the roof,” said Noah Dockery of the JSO Wood Products building on Campus Place.
Dockery, an employee of JSO, spent Thursday salvaging whatever inventory he could. The wood paneling and veneer company sustained heavy damage, as did surrounding businesses.
Dockery said he expects the loss of product to equal a significant amount of money for the business' owner.
“It’s devastating for me because it can obviously affect my income, but I’m more worried for him; he built this," Dockery said. "It’s about hundreds of thousands, if not million or so, dollars just gone."
Behind JSO, the roof of a daycare was also torn off by the storm.
“Very seriously damaged, suffering significant losses," said Mayor Craig Greenberg, D-Louisville, during a Thursday afternoon news briefing. "Homes nearby in the Copperfield subdivision and surrounding neighborhoods; homes were also damaged as well."
Greenberg joined Metro EMS and Jeffersontown Mayor Carol Pike to survey the damage in the area.
“I want to say that Jeffersontown has been devastated," Pike said. "We have many, many buildings that have been totally destroyed, but I can say that we are lucky because no one has lost any lives or had any injuries here."
Residents are asked to stay weather-aware as the threat of flooding rushes in.
“If you see downed power lines, do not touch; get away," Greenberg said. "Please call 311."
