Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
It is seven oh five here news rady to eight
forty whas Happy Friday, everybody. We made it not quite
to the weekend just yet, but we made it to
the end of the week, and the weekend is upon us,
and we are expecting some big time snow to come
in tomorrow. We'll get you the latest as far as
what Matt Melosa, bitch of Woky, that's who we've been
leaning on heavily this week. He's going to join us
coming up around seven thirty five to give us the
(00:22):
latest there. But as of right now, you're looking at
about six inches plus in the region. You could see
more north and the sleep, freezing rain, that kind of stuff.
It sounds like the real thread of that is more
so south of Louisville, south of Bargetown, but of course
not that far from us, so obviously that could linger
(00:42):
north up to Louisville. And that's one thing. The way
it was worded for Matt Melosavich in his early update
is just a scary thing to think about. You've got snow,
and then you get you get a bunch of snow
coming down to start, and then you layer in some
some of that sleet and then you get more snow
coming after. It just sounds like a sounds like a mess.
So again, be advised make sure you're getting yourself set
(01:06):
up to where if you were snowed in for a
couple of days, you've got what you need. And also
check on your neighbors. Right there may be people that
you know that you may think, okay, I would assume
they've got somebody looking out for them, maybe the older
couple down the street, something like that. But maybe check
on them because they may, you know, they may not
have somebody that can can easily get them things that
(01:28):
they may need when they're stuck in the house. So
look out for one another and buckle up because it
sounds like if this is what we've been discussing all week,
as far as the projections, even if it's on the
low end, it certainly seems like it's going to be
one of those snowstorms that we remember for a long time.
All right, joining us here in studio L and PD
spokesman mister Dwight Mitchell, LMPD thebo of a fire Department ems.
(01:50):
I mean, it's all hands on deck when you have
these kind of situations, right, Yes, and Nick, good morning,
always happy to have you here.
Speaker 2 (01:57):
Yes, and I'm officially going to say that I am
praying against all of this.
Speaker 3 (02:04):
I am saying that.
Speaker 2 (02:06):
But if it is our Dame by God that it happens,
that I hope it's not as bad as it could be.
Speaker 3 (02:12):
Sure, and that's that's what we're doing.
Speaker 2 (02:14):
But yes, to ask you a question, all hands around deck,
all our emergency management and all of the law enforcement
first responders, Well, I'll be on deck to make sure
that we can.
Speaker 3 (02:29):
Get through this.
Speaker 1 (02:29):
So let's just say there are jobs like the one
you have in law enforcement that you don't have off days.
It's it's there's never hey, the police are shut down
for you know, for for a holiday or something like that.
So when there's a snowstorm that could put a foot
of snow here, you guys still have to be out
there doing your jobs. What what are some things that
may that you may if you're on patrol tomorrow into
(02:53):
the evening and we're getting this serious snowstorm, what are
some things that could be you know, some occurrences that
you you could have to respond to or maybe assist
with that you wouldn't get on a regular day.
Speaker 3 (03:04):
But you're there because of this weather.
Speaker 2 (03:07):
A lot of it is probably getting stranded motors together
and things like that, where roads are being blocked and
things like that. Obviously with regular fender benders will be
on what we call the state forms where you fill
those forms out yourself with the person you've had the
collision with. Now, if there's injuries involved in in our
(03:27):
roads being blocked, we will respond to those as quickly
as we can. But if if what's being anticipated with
the weather, things are probably gonna be a little slower
than what we would normally be able to respond, but
we will be there. But the main thing for offices
is to stay safe themselves so they can be of assistance.
So you know, we're asking people that don't have to
(03:48):
be on the roadways, don't be out there being home
and that makes it better for the workers that are
out trying to clear the roads and things in that nature.
Speaker 3 (03:57):
So that's the main thing is to use that phrase.
Speaker 2 (04:00):
We'd like to use you some common sense to this,
and everybody doesn't have that same level of common sense.
But we're just hoping that people are taking crosses to
stay as close to home as they can.
Speaker 1 (04:11):
Some may expect maybe a reduction in calls just because
people aren't out doing stuff. They're stuck inside at home,
maybe snowed in. But that doesn't mean there couldn't still
be some situations where law enforcements needed in all seriousness,
being stuck inside with sometimes family, maybe sometimes it's roommates
that could lead to people getting you know, a little
stir crazy.
Speaker 3 (04:31):
Oh well, that is correct. You know.
Speaker 2 (04:32):
Sometimes we have seen where we get a few more
domestic violence calls with people or coop them not used
to being around each other as much as they normally are,
and that can call some conflict, but and.
Speaker 1 (04:43):
Just stressful situation for some if they're worried about losing power,
that kind of stuff.
Speaker 2 (04:48):
Oh yes, and it can put it can put a
strain on relationships. It really came to people that you know,
you love, but sometimes you get on each other's nerves.
But what we're hoping is that we can get it
resolved as quickly as we can. But we're dealing with
mother nature here, so we'll have to she's in charge
and she well somebody guys in. Yeah, I know that,
(05:10):
And again I'm praying that it's not to the level
that it could be.
Speaker 1 (05:16):
So we've talked throughout the week really yesterday mostly just
about the previous snowstorms that are Alzheimer's in Louisville. Ninety four,
ninety eight came up, and you remember the snowstorm of
nineteen ninety four. Tell us what it was like for
you on the job at that time where we got
buried with snow, and again it seems to be the
one that everybody remembers more than any other snowstorm around here.
Speaker 2 (05:38):
I think what happened in ninety four is we just
simply weren't equipped, especially because that one had ice to it,
and you had ice on top of the layers of
snow that was on that In fact, I know that
they had to have a National Guard coming in a
humbie and just to pick me up on my home
at that time, just to get us where we could
get out and be available to do things. And so
(06:00):
I think because now we've anticipated these type of things happening,
we have better equipment now and things of this nature,
and we're still going to have some challenges, but maybe
not the challenges of the nineties and the eighties, when
you know, we just didn't really have a clue.
Speaker 1 (06:14):
Yeah, I think with the ninety four situation being first
of all, it was a ton of snow. But the
last thing close to that, I believe was in the
late seventies, and you got to think about how much
everything in society had changed in that amount of time
to where you know, you hadn't been tested to see
if you can handle a big snowstorm in quite some time,
and we were tested, didn't look like we were ready
(06:35):
to handle the test. And then the next snowstorm that
came in ninety eight, it was actually more severe as
far as the accumulation, but we were much better prepared.
It seemed like what.
Speaker 2 (06:42):
Was unique about that late seventies storm you were talking about,
I think was about nineteen seventy seven. I remembered it's
like a month long, right, Well, what happened that whole
year was interesting because the teachers went on strike at
the beginning of that school year, so kids we were
out of school. I think I was like a sophomore
high school and uh, we were already out of school
for a good deal of the year. And then when
(07:03):
the snow came, it came on Super Bowl Sunday. It
was the Raiders in the Minnesota. Because I remember.
Speaker 1 (07:08):
It, this memory from Dway Mitchell.
Speaker 2 (07:10):
Well, you know, I'm getting older, you remember things from
fifty years ago became remember what happened five minutes ago
and getting to that point. But yes, and then we
were out a good deal of time then, and we
just simply didn't even really have any snow quipan. We're
using basically earth movers to move things like that, you know,
that was what we had back then.
Speaker 3 (07:29):
But yes, we have ebobed and that's a.
Speaker 1 (07:31):
Good when I think of that. And I wasn't alive
at that time, but it was this It was the
worst month of weather we've ever had in Louisville, and
it's hard to imagine we'll have one that is worse,
at least I hope not. But my father always reminds
me he was a junior in high school at that time,
and he and I went to the same high school
that he did. Both played basketball, and he only played
(07:52):
I think it was like six games of varsity because
of the weather. And he likes to remind me that
with that and no three point line, he still scored
more points in this career than me, which you know
that if I was him, I'd probably remind me of
that too. But I cannot imagine a month to where
you're just sitting and waiting for things to melt, because
that's what it was, and that's what we are need
(08:13):
to be mindful of that once this snowstorm does come
to an end, we've got cold temperatures that are going
to make this stick around longer than we'd like. But
i'd like to think, and of course hope that the
resources here in Louisville. Sounds like they've ramped up the
Louisville Department of Transportation, that sounds like they're ready to
take this thing head on, and you know, hopefully it
ends up being something that's not so impactful. But you
(08:35):
mentioned getting picked up in a hum V in nineteen
ninety four. I'm just sitting here thinking about all the
tools or maybe some would say toys that you guys
have for situations. And I mean, are there snowplows with
the LMPD logos on them? Can those be utilized.
Speaker 3 (08:51):
If need be? Well, I don't know if they have
LMPD on it, but they certainly have. But you got, yeah,
there you go. That makes sense.
Speaker 2 (08:58):
And of course you know, we we do have different
vehicles that are equipped, uh to get through through this
type of weather. And again, you know, we hope we
don't have to use it a lot, because we're gonna
hope that a whole lot of people use that common
sense theme. And I'm gonna keep repeating that because that's
a whole lot of this and uh, you know, the
more people stay off roads, the less cost for service
(09:19):
we may have to do that. So we really can
handle emergencies because of the weather, you know, in terms
of maybe like you know, people getting stranded and things
and that nature inside their homes something that we really
need to respond to and help.
Speaker 3 (09:32):
So that's where we really want to be.
Speaker 1 (09:34):
I'll tell you what I think that may be the
best advice any of us could could give. And just
keep in mind to ourselves just you know, you should
common sense, be mindful that hey quite literally you hear
it every now and then. But this is this is
the type of situation that if you don't need to
be out, don't try, because you could end up putting
yourself in a situation. And there could be emergency emergency
(09:55):
situations that lead you to have to go somewhere. But
I bet there'll be many that up stranded that ended
up in a situation that really like they should have
known that it wasn't worth wasn't we're taking that risk.
Hopefully that doesn't happen.
Speaker 2 (10:07):
To the law of averages. You know that's going to happen,
that's true, but you know, we just hope that's down
to a minimum mount. And before we go, I want
to say that today at ten thirty, we are having
promotions and to our executive staff and there's two people
getting promoted. That's Major Brian England, he's going to be
(10:28):
promoted to an assistant chief and Lieutenant Justin still Weell
he's going to be promoted to a major spot. And
congratulations spos for those those gentlemen. I know them both personally,
wonderful guys. In fact, Brian again I get to tap.
This was one of my there students many years ago.
Speaker 1 (10:44):
He was that That is awesome.
Speaker 3 (10:46):
Saint rita Catholic school back then.
Speaker 1 (10:48):
Hey, that's where I got baptized in my first comunion, Saint.
Look shout out to mister.
Speaker 2 (10:52):
Yeah, he's doing a fantastic job. He's the command of
the first division now, but he's going to be an
assistant chief.
Speaker 1 (10:58):
That is so awesome. And we've we've mentioned it here
and there during our conversations, but it's like something out
of a movie. You've got Dwight Mitchell, a career law
enforcement professional, and there are now grown up adults that
are in this in that same space, climbing the ladder,
having positions that are very important and clearly speaks a
(11:22):
lot to their character and in the way they handle
themselves to be appointed to these positions, and maybe their
introduction to law enforcement was Dwight Mitchell as their dair officer.
That's so awesome because this isn't the only member of
l MPD that is in that situation. There's many of
them that you could an impact on. So that's just
that's awesome.
Speaker 2 (11:39):
It is, And when I get a chance to tout it,
I'm going to absolutely I would too, because back in
those days when we were doing things like that, that's
what you'd hoped that they would go on to whatever
profession they were going on and reach the heights. But
if they happened to come to the police department and
do it, obviously I'm gonna take great pride in that.
Speaker 3 (11:54):
And that's what you're hearing today, these.
Speaker 1 (11:57):
Two gentle understandable Dwight is always appreciated you time, my friend.
Stay safe this weekend. We'll see you next.
Speaker 3 (12:02):
Week, all right, the Creek Dutton and riding in the Lord.
Don't call me home. I'll be here looking forward to it.
All right.
Speaker 1 (12:07):
That's dwy Mitchell from LMPD. Let's get a quick time out.
We'll check on traffic and weather all right here at
News Radio eight forty whas. Happy Friday, Kentuckyana. We made
it to the end of the week, and the weekend
is upon us, and we've got a snowstorm on the way.
And joining us now to discuss the latest is someone
who doesn't know it. I'm sure, but this show, Kentucky
(12:28):
and this Morning News Coffee and Company has kind of
turned into the Matt Melosovich Show because we've been tracking
every update we can get from Matt throughout this lead up. Matt,
where do we stand this morning as of right now
as far as what you are expecting over these next
thirty six hours roughly?
Speaker 4 (12:43):
Well, first off, I'm glad you're not done with hearing
my voice as much as we've been listening to my.
Speaker 5 (12:49):
Own self speak.
Speaker 4 (12:50):
Guys, thanks for having me on this morning. But I
tell you what, here's what's going to go down with
this system. There's already winter storm warnings in effect, and
it's to cover the storm that's moving in tomorrow. Especially
as we get toward midday and through Saturday afternoon, it's
going to be bitterly cold, so as the snow starts
to fly, and this will start as all snow across
(13:12):
our listening area, So get ready because that's going to
start accumulating pretty quickly. We're going to get several inches
of snow through the day and early evening tomorrow, and
then as we get late Saturday night into Sunday. The
big question mark with this storm system over the past
couple of days is where does the freezing rain and
(13:34):
sleep line that I think will be going on into
southern Kentucky. How far north can that get during the
morning and afternoon on Sunday. Because the further north that
that goes, one, the more of an icing concern that
builds into the area, and two that'll chop down on
snow totals. Two and where we obviously stay all snow,
and I think that'll occur near and immediately north of.
Speaker 5 (13:57):
The Louisville area.
Speaker 4 (13:58):
That's where we're going to have some of our high
as snow tallies right now, the WLKY forecast in that
highest snow total area, and I'm talking through the majority
of southern Indiana and the Ice seventy.
Speaker 5 (14:10):
One corridor through northern Kentucky.
Speaker 4 (14:12):
I think a solid twelve to fifteen inches of snow
is going to be expected in the Louisville area down
towards the western Kentucky and Bluegrass Parkways eight to twelve
and even south of there.
Speaker 5 (14:23):
So as we start to.
Speaker 4 (14:24):
Get into the southern and central portions of Kentucky, four
to eight inches of snow before it starts to change
over to some sleet and freezing rain. So everyone gets
into a big time coating of snow, and we watch
for some of that ice, especially south of the parkways,
maybe a quarter and a half an inch of ice.
That pulls in more power concerns when you start to
(14:45):
get that ice accumulating onto trees and the power lines there.
And I think we heard it in the news update
right before this that you know, with mainly just snow,
a lot of the power companies less concern with any
power grid problems.
Speaker 5 (15:00):
And I would agree with.
Speaker 4 (15:02):
That, and hopefully that's the way this all shakes out
because it's going to be brutally cold, not only through
the weekend, but especially in the next week.
Speaker 1 (15:10):
So as the UFL basketball games wrap up and folks
are heading home, it sounds like around that time you
could already see some snow when you walk out of
the ump center that has hit the ground and is
sticking around.
Speaker 5 (15:21):
Yeah, and I do think that's going to be a possibility.
Speaker 4 (15:24):
It's gonna start out light though, But having said that,
the roads are going to be print plenty cold, and
I know there's been a lot of treatment and everything
on them, but usually as it starts snowing, we can
at least tend to get some slick and icy spots.
So I think the biggest thing is I believe one
hundred percent the roads are going to be passable, but
you're gonna have to go very slowly. And we saw
(15:46):
this earlier in the week a couple of days ago,
when we had a very light coating on very cold
roads and it caused big time concerns. I believe that
was Wednesday morning this week across the roadways for.
Speaker 5 (16:00):
The morning rush.
Speaker 4 (16:01):
So if you encounter those tough roads, sometimes it's hardest
to go slow when it feels like it's passable. You know,
if you have six inches of snow, you're going slow anyway.
But sometimes it's those tiny little dustings that can cause
the biggest problem. So just be aware of that for
U of l fans headed home from the games tomorrow.
Speaker 1 (16:21):
So there are thirty three states that could be impacted
by this winter storm that has come in our way.
In your professional experience, sort of not to say does
this compare to a previous storm, but this to me someone,
of course, without your expertise in meteorology, this seems to
be a real rarity to have such a widespread winter storm.
Speaker 5 (16:41):
Yeah, it really is.
Speaker 4 (16:42):
I mean, we have seen other winter storms that you know,
bring us a foot foot plus of snow in our region,
you know, in Louisville. I think for a lot of folks,
ninety eight and ninety four come to mind. I don't
see quite the similarities with this go around. But I
think I think by the time we get into early
next week, it's going to feel a lot like early.
Speaker 5 (17:04):
January last year.
Speaker 4 (17:06):
And maybe for some we had a pretty good snow
back in twenty fifteen, So you know, I think those
are where the similarities lie with this particular round of
winter weather coming our way. And of course, you know
when we also start to speak of sleet and ice, that's.
Speaker 5 (17:24):
Where it can make things really tough.
Speaker 4 (17:26):
So Elizabethtown, Bardstown is going to be on the kind
of northern fringe of that, so they may get a
little light coating of ice, but south.
Speaker 5 (17:34):
Of there it could be a bit heavier.
Speaker 4 (17:37):
And yeah, get the snowshovels ready, because I mean we
still could get roughly a foot of snow in and
around town.
Speaker 5 (17:44):
That's a lot of snow.
Speaker 1 (17:45):
There is a lot of snow. And you referenced nineteen
ninety four nineteen ninety eight. I remember both of those
very young in ninety four, but obviously that's when most
people remember. But those were two different snowstorms that came
at you differently. It was a three day window essentially
in ninety eight, where you had twenty two point four
inches over an extended amount of time. Ninety four was
more of a knockout punch eight hours and you had
(18:08):
about sixteen inches. Obviously, both of those situations present challenges
that you wouldn't want. But of the two, what is
a bigger I guess concern the rapid snowfall, or one
that just not as quick but it lingers.
Speaker 5 (18:20):
Yeah, you know, I believe it was.
Speaker 4 (18:22):
It was ninety four that was the one that not
much was predicted, and then like you said, it was
a quick hitter and just came real heavy, really fast.
This one, at the very least we can see coming
and we've seen it's this has been on the weather
models for days on end. Now the big hesitation with
(18:42):
this storm. If you remember back a few days ago,
earlier in the week, the heaviest snow was down towards
Nashville and into Tennessee, where it was like, oh, you
see social media posts two feet of snow for Nashville,
And you know now that heaviest snowband's lifting, you know,
perhaps even nor of the Louisville area, you know, and
into southern Indiana. So that's one of the big difficulties
(19:05):
with these storms is trying to predict them through the
forecast model data before the actual storm itself has really
taken shape. And so that's why we usually preach a
lot of patients moving forward, because the first thing everyone
wants to know is, well, exactly how much know am
I getting in my neighborhood and usually that doesn't come
into line until really right about now into the run
(19:29):
up to the storms a day or two away. And
so as long as we can be patient watch the data.
One thing that is for sure with this storm system
is everyone's going to see significant impacts over the weekend
across the region. And this is so wide sweeping you
said it earlier. This goes from New York City and
Boston all the way down to the southern mountains of
(19:50):
New Mexico. So this covers a huge piece of real estate.
And for us, it is for everyone across our listening
area that is going to see these big time winter
weather impacts. I do think though, right now, the biggest
question mark, and if anything is gonna change it is
it's where that sleet and freezing rain line shifts.
Speaker 5 (20:12):
Does it Does the colder.
Speaker 4 (20:14):
Air went out a little bit and knock it down
a few miles, or does the warmer air aloft went
out and knock that heavier snowband a little farther to
the north. I know the latest trend in the past
couple of days has been for a little farther north.
But I think this is settling out pretty well that
that heaviest snow, especially that foot plus is going to
be really close to the Louisville area, but just immediately north.
Speaker 1 (20:37):
Last question for you, Matt. You're from Houston, Texas, right,
how much snow did you experience growing up compared to
what we're getting this weekend.
Speaker 4 (20:44):
The most we ever had was in the winter of
eighty three, and it was about three inches of snow.
And I remember because before then my family we moved
from from south of Kansas City, so it's note every
year there, you know, And I remember my mom telling me,
she goes, well, you know, the winner's here, doesn't really
(21:05):
snow that much, and then it's snowed that year, and
I'm like, well, it snows every year, right, And then
we didn't get anything until before the ninety four storm
that hit here. We had huge snowflakes in Houston for
about thirty minutes and then that was it, you know.
I mean it was during the school day. We all
went outside, Holy Cot snowing, and that was the last
(21:26):
time I saw snow in Houston. So twice in you know,
roughly fifteen years or so, so it's not too often.
Speaker 1 (21:34):
Well, you've certainly seen plenty here in Louisville over the years,
and you're expected to see more this weekend, so we'll
we'll have plenty and I'm sure, I'm sure some people
love seeing it until it becomes an inconvenience. So thank
you so much for the great work that you've done
throughout the week. We've really been We've really appreciated having
your coverage with Wolky as part of our show and
appreciate you making time for us this morning. Matt, keep
up the great work you bet.
Speaker 4 (21:55):
Everyone stay safe, and yes, stay updated. We'll keep you
or keep tuned in.
Speaker 5 (22:00):
We'll give you all the latest.
Speaker 1 (22:00):
Thank you so much again. That's Matt Melosa, bitch of WLKY. Yeah,
if you're in Texas, I would imagine snow's a real rarity,
of course, in a big part of that state, and
I can imagine seeing it when it's that rare would
be exciting. You may think, oh, that would be cool
to have a snowstorm, until you end up in a
snowstorm like the one we're getting and you realize, oh,
this could cause some issues. All right, let's get a
quick check of trafficking weather. Shall we stick around. It's
(22:22):
news Radio eight forty whas
It is seven oh five here news rady to eight
forty whas Happy Friday, everybody. We made it not quite
to the weekend just yet, but we made it to
the end of the week, and the weekend is upon us,
and we are expecting some big time snow to come
in tomorrow. We'll get you the latest as far as
what Matt Melosa, bitch of Woky, that's who we've been
leaning on heavily this week. He's going to join us
coming up around seven thirty five to give us the
(00:22):
latest there. But as of right now, you're looking at
about six inches plus in the region. You could see
more north and the sleep, freezing rain, that kind of stuff.
It sounds like the real thread of that is more
so south of Louisville, south of Bargetown, but of course
not that far from us, so obviously that could linger
(00:42):
north up to Louisville. And that's one thing. The way
it was worded for Matt Melosavich in his early update
is just a scary thing to think about. You've got snow,
and then you get you get a bunch of snow
coming down to start, and then you layer in some
some of that sleet and then you get more snow
coming after. It just sounds like a sounds like a mess.
So again, be advised make sure you're getting yourself set
(01:06):
up to where if you were snowed in for a
couple of days, you've got what you need. And also
check on your neighbors. Right there may be people that
you know that you may think, okay, I would assume
they've got somebody looking out for them, maybe the older
couple down the street, something like that. But maybe check
on them because they may, you know, they may not
have somebody that can can easily get them things that
(01:28):
they may need when they're stuck in the house. So
look out for one another and buckle up because it
sounds like if this is what we've been discussing all week,
as far as the projections, even if it's on the
low end, it certainly seems like it's going to be
one of those snowstorms that we remember for a long time.
All right, joining us here in studio L and PD
spokesman mister Dwight Mitchell, LMPD thebo of a fire Department ems.
(01:50):
I mean, it's all hands on deck when you have
these kind of situations, right, Yes, and Nick, good morning,
always happy to have you here.
Speaker 2 (01:57):
Yes, and I'm officially going to say that I am
praying against all of this.
Speaker 3 (02:04):
I am saying that.
Speaker 2 (02:06):
But if it is our Dame by God that it happens,
that I hope it's not as bad as it could be.
Speaker 3 (02:12):
Sure, and that's that's what we're doing.
Speaker 2 (02:14):
But yes, to ask you a question, all hands around deck,
all our emergency management and all of the law enforcement
first responders, Well, I'll be on deck to make sure
that we can.
Speaker 3 (02:29):
Get through this.
Speaker 1 (02:29):
So let's just say there are jobs like the one
you have in law enforcement that you don't have off days.
It's it's there's never hey, the police are shut down
for you know, for for a holiday or something like that.
So when there's a snowstorm that could put a foot
of snow here, you guys still have to be out
there doing your jobs. What what are some things that
may that you may if you're on patrol tomorrow into
(02:53):
the evening and we're getting this serious snowstorm, what are
some things that could be you know, some occurrences that
you you could have to respond to or maybe assist
with that you wouldn't get on a regular day.
Speaker 3 (03:04):
But you're there because of this weather.
Speaker 2 (03:07):
A lot of it is probably getting stranded motors together
and things like that, where roads are being blocked and
things like that. Obviously with regular fender benders will be
on what we call the state forms where you fill
those forms out yourself with the person you've had the
collision with. Now, if there's injuries involved in in our
(03:27):
roads being blocked, we will respond to those as quickly
as we can. But if if what's being anticipated with
the weather, things are probably gonna be a little slower
than what we would normally be able to respond, but
we will be there. But the main thing for offices
is to stay safe themselves so they can be of assistance.
So you know, we're asking people that don't have to
(03:48):
be on the roadways, don't be out there being home
and that makes it better for the workers that are
out trying to clear the roads and things in that nature.
Speaker 3 (03:57):
So that's the main thing is to use that phrase.
Speaker 2 (04:00):
We'd like to use you some common sense to this,
and everybody doesn't have that same level of common sense.
But we're just hoping that people are taking crosses to
stay as close to home as they can.
Speaker 1 (04:11):
Some may expect maybe a reduction in calls just because
people aren't out doing stuff. They're stuck inside at home,
maybe snowed in. But that doesn't mean there couldn't still
be some situations where law enforcements needed in all seriousness,
being stuck inside with sometimes family, maybe sometimes it's roommates
that could lead to people getting you know, a little
stir crazy.
Speaker 3 (04:31):
Oh well, that is correct. You know.
Speaker 2 (04:32):
Sometimes we have seen where we get a few more
domestic violence calls with people or coop them not used
to being around each other as much as they normally are,
and that can call some conflict, but and.
Speaker 1 (04:43):
Just stressful situation for some if they're worried about losing power,
that kind of stuff.
Speaker 2 (04:48):
Oh yes, and it can put it can put a
strain on relationships. It really came to people that you know,
you love, but sometimes you get on each other's nerves.
But what we're hoping is that we can get it
resolved as quickly as we can. But we're dealing with
mother nature here, so we'll have to she's in charge
and she well somebody guys in. Yeah, I know that,
(05:10):
And again I'm praying that it's not to the level
that it could be.
Speaker 1 (05:16):
So we've talked throughout the week really yesterday mostly just
about the previous snowstorms that are Alzheimer's in Louisville. Ninety four,
ninety eight came up, and you remember the snowstorm of
nineteen ninety four. Tell us what it was like for
you on the job at that time where we got
buried with snow, and again it seems to be the
one that everybody remembers more than any other snowstorm around here.
Speaker 2 (05:38):
I think what happened in ninety four is we just
simply weren't equipped, especially because that one had ice to it,
and you had ice on top of the layers of
snow that was on that In fact, I know that
they had to have a National Guard coming in a
humbie and just to pick me up on my home
at that time, just to get us where we could
get out and be available to do things. And so
(06:00):
I think because now we've anticipated these type of things happening,
we have better equipment now and things of this nature,
and we're still going to have some challenges, but maybe
not the challenges of the nineties and the eighties, when
you know, we just didn't really have a clue.
Speaker 1 (06:14):
Yeah, I think with the ninety four situation being first
of all, it was a ton of snow. But the
last thing close to that, I believe was in the
late seventies, and you got to think about how much
everything in society had changed in that amount of time
to where you know, you hadn't been tested to see
if you can handle a big snowstorm in quite some time,
and we were tested, didn't look like we were ready
(06:35):
to handle the test. And then the next snowstorm that
came in ninety eight, it was actually more severe as
far as the accumulation, but we were much better prepared.
It seemed like what.
Speaker 2 (06:42):
Was unique about that late seventies storm you were talking about,
I think was about nineteen seventy seven. I remembered it's
like a month long, right, Well, what happened that whole
year was interesting because the teachers went on strike at
the beginning of that school year, so kids we were
out of school. I think I was like a sophomore
high school and uh, we were already out of school
for a good deal of the year. And then when
(07:03):
the snow came, it came on Super Bowl Sunday. It
was the Raiders in the Minnesota. Because I remember.
Speaker 1 (07:08):
It, this memory from Dway Mitchell.
Speaker 2 (07:10):
Well, you know, I'm getting older, you remember things from
fifty years ago became remember what happened five minutes ago
and getting to that point. But yes, and then we
were out a good deal of time then, and we
just simply didn't even really have any snow quipan. We're
using basically earth movers to move things like that, you know,
that was what we had back then.
Speaker 3 (07:29):
But yes, we have ebobed and that's a.
Speaker 1 (07:31):
Good when I think of that. And I wasn't alive
at that time, but it was this It was the
worst month of weather we've ever had in Louisville, and
it's hard to imagine we'll have one that is worse,
at least I hope not. But my father always reminds
me he was a junior in high school at that time,
and he and I went to the same high school
that he did. Both played basketball, and he only played
(07:52):
I think it was like six games of varsity because
of the weather. And he likes to remind me that
with that and no three point line, he still scored
more points in this career than me, which you know
that if I was him, I'd probably remind me of
that too. But I cannot imagine a month to where
you're just sitting and waiting for things to melt, because
that's what it was, and that's what we are need
(08:13):
to be mindful of that once this snowstorm does come
to an end, we've got cold temperatures that are going
to make this stick around longer than we'd like. But
i'd like to think, and of course hope that the
resources here in Louisville. Sounds like they've ramped up the
Louisville Department of Transportation, that sounds like they're ready to
take this thing head on, and you know, hopefully it
ends up being something that's not so impactful. But you
(08:35):
mentioned getting picked up in a hum V in nineteen
ninety four. I'm just sitting here thinking about all the
tools or maybe some would say toys that you guys
have for situations. And I mean, are there snowplows with
the LMPD logos on them? Can those be utilized.
Speaker 3 (08:51):
If need be? Well, I don't know if they have
LMPD on it, but they certainly have. But you got, yeah,
there you go. That makes sense.
Speaker 2 (08:58):
And of course you know, we we do have different
vehicles that are equipped, uh to get through through this
type of weather. And again, you know, we hope we
don't have to use it a lot, because we're gonna
hope that a whole lot of people use that common
sense theme. And I'm gonna keep repeating that because that's
a whole lot of this and uh, you know, the
more people stay off roads, the less cost for service
(09:19):
we may have to do that. So we really can
handle emergencies because of the weather, you know, in terms
of maybe like you know, people getting stranded and things
and that nature inside their homes something that we really
need to respond to and help.
Speaker 3 (09:32):
So that's where we really want to be.
Speaker 1 (09:34):
I'll tell you what I think that may be the
best advice any of us could could give. And just
keep in mind to ourselves just you know, you should
common sense, be mindful that hey quite literally you hear
it every now and then. But this is this is
the type of situation that if you don't need to
be out, don't try, because you could end up putting
yourself in a situation. And there could be emergency emergency
(09:55):
situations that lead you to have to go somewhere. But
I bet there'll be many that up stranded that ended
up in a situation that really like they should have
known that it wasn't worth wasn't we're taking that risk.
Hopefully that doesn't happen.
Speaker 2 (10:07):
To the law of averages. You know that's going to happen,
that's true, but you know, we just hope that's down
to a minimum mount. And before we go, I want
to say that today at ten thirty, we are having
promotions and to our executive staff and there's two people
getting promoted. That's Major Brian England, he's going to be
(10:28):
promoted to an assistant chief and Lieutenant Justin still Weell
he's going to be promoted to a major spot. And
congratulations spos for those those gentlemen. I know them both personally,
wonderful guys. In fact, Brian again I get to tap.
This was one of my there students many years ago.
Speaker 1 (10:44):
He was that That is awesome.
Speaker 3 (10:46):
Saint rita Catholic school back then.
Speaker 1 (10:48):
Hey, that's where I got baptized in my first comunion, Saint.
Look shout out to mister.
Speaker 2 (10:52):
Yeah, he's doing a fantastic job. He's the command of
the first division now, but he's going to be an
assistant chief.
Speaker 1 (10:58):
That is so awesome. And we've we've mentioned it here
and there during our conversations, but it's like something out
of a movie. You've got Dwight Mitchell, a career law
enforcement professional, and there are now grown up adults that
are in this in that same space, climbing the ladder,
having positions that are very important and clearly speaks a
(11:22):
lot to their character and in the way they handle
themselves to be appointed to these positions, and maybe their
introduction to law enforcement was Dwight Mitchell as their dair officer.
That's so awesome because this isn't the only member of
l MPD that is in that situation. There's many of
them that you could an impact on. So that's just
that's awesome.
Speaker 2 (11:39):
It is, And when I get a chance to tout it,
I'm going to absolutely I would too, because back in
those days when we were doing things like that, that's
what you'd hoped that they would go on to whatever
profession they were going on and reach the heights. But
if they happened to come to the police department and
do it, obviously I'm gonna take great pride in that.
Speaker 3 (11:54):
And that's what you're hearing today, these.
Speaker 1 (11:57):
Two gentle understandable Dwight is always appreciated you time, my friend.
Stay safe this weekend. We'll see you next.
Speaker 3 (12:02):
Week, all right, the Creek Dutton and riding in the Lord.
Don't call me home. I'll be here looking forward to it.
All right.
Speaker 1 (12:07):
That's dwy Mitchell from LMPD. Let's get a quick time out.
We'll check on traffic and weather all right here at
News Radio eight forty whas. Happy Friday, Kentuckyana. We made
it to the end of the week, and the weekend
is upon us, and we've got a snowstorm on the way.
And joining us now to discuss the latest is someone
who doesn't know it. I'm sure, but this show, Kentucky
(12:28):
and this Morning News Coffee and Company has kind of
turned into the Matt Melosovich Show because we've been tracking
every update we can get from Matt throughout this lead up. Matt,
where do we stand this morning as of right now
as far as what you are expecting over these next
thirty six hours roughly?
Speaker 4 (12:43):
Well, first off, I'm glad you're not done with hearing
my voice as much as we've been listening to my.
Speaker 5 (12:49):
Own self speak.
Speaker 4 (12:50):
Guys, thanks for having me on this morning. But I
tell you what, here's what's going to go down with
this system. There's already winter storm warnings in effect, and
it's to cover the storm that's moving in tomorrow. Especially
as we get toward midday and through Saturday afternoon, it's
going to be bitterly cold, so as the snow starts
to fly, and this will start as all snow across
(13:12):
our listening area, So get ready because that's going to
start accumulating pretty quickly. We're going to get several inches
of snow through the day and early evening tomorrow, and
then as we get late Saturday night into Sunday. The
big question mark with this storm system over the past
couple of days is where does the freezing rain and
(13:34):
sleep line that I think will be going on into
southern Kentucky. How far north can that get during the
morning and afternoon on Sunday. Because the further north that
that goes, one, the more of an icing concern that
builds into the area, and two that'll chop down on
snow totals. Two and where we obviously stay all snow,
and I think that'll occur near and immediately north of.
Speaker 5 (13:57):
The Louisville area.
Speaker 4 (13:58):
That's where we're going to have some of our high
as snow tallies right now, the WLKY forecast in that
highest snow total area, and I'm talking through the majority
of southern Indiana and the Ice seventy.
Speaker 5 (14:10):
One corridor through northern Kentucky.
Speaker 4 (14:12):
I think a solid twelve to fifteen inches of snow
is going to be expected in the Louisville area down
towards the western Kentucky and Bluegrass Parkways eight to twelve
and even south of there.
Speaker 5 (14:23):
So as we start to.
Speaker 4 (14:24):
Get into the southern and central portions of Kentucky, four
to eight inches of snow before it starts to change
over to some sleet and freezing rain. So everyone gets
into a big time coating of snow, and we watch
for some of that ice, especially south of the parkways,
maybe a quarter and a half an inch of ice.
That pulls in more power concerns when you start to
(14:45):
get that ice accumulating onto trees and the power lines there.
And I think we heard it in the news update
right before this that you know, with mainly just snow,
a lot of the power companies less concern with any
power grid problems.
Speaker 5 (15:00):
And I would agree with.
Speaker 4 (15:02):
That, and hopefully that's the way this all shakes out
because it's going to be brutally cold, not only through
the weekend, but especially in the next week.
Speaker 1 (15:10):
So as the UFL basketball games wrap up and folks
are heading home, it sounds like around that time you
could already see some snow when you walk out of
the ump center that has hit the ground and is
sticking around.
Speaker 5 (15:21):
Yeah, and I do think that's going to be a possibility.
Speaker 4 (15:24):
It's gonna start out light though, But having said that,
the roads are going to be print plenty cold, and
I know there's been a lot of treatment and everything
on them, but usually as it starts snowing, we can
at least tend to get some slick and icy spots.
So I think the biggest thing is I believe one
hundred percent the roads are going to be passable, but
you're gonna have to go very slowly. And we saw
(15:46):
this earlier in the week a couple of days ago,
when we had a very light coating on very cold
roads and it caused big time concerns. I believe that
was Wednesday morning this week across the roadways for.
Speaker 5 (16:00):
The morning rush.
Speaker 4 (16:01):
So if you encounter those tough roads, sometimes it's hardest
to go slow when it feels like it's passable. You know,
if you have six inches of snow, you're going slow anyway.
But sometimes it's those tiny little dustings that can cause
the biggest problem. So just be aware of that for
U of l fans headed home from the games tomorrow.
Speaker 1 (16:21):
So there are thirty three states that could be impacted
by this winter storm that has come in our way.
In your professional experience, sort of not to say does
this compare to a previous storm, but this to me someone,
of course, without your expertise in meteorology, this seems to
be a real rarity to have such a widespread winter storm.
Speaker 5 (16:41):
Yeah, it really is.
Speaker 4 (16:42):
I mean, we have seen other winter storms that you know,
bring us a foot foot plus of snow in our region,
you know, in Louisville. I think for a lot of folks,
ninety eight and ninety four come to mind. I don't
see quite the similarities with this go around. But I
think I think by the time we get into early
next week, it's going to feel a lot like early.
Speaker 5 (17:04):
January last year.
Speaker 4 (17:06):
And maybe for some we had a pretty good snow
back in twenty fifteen, So you know, I think those
are where the similarities lie with this particular round of
winter weather coming our way. And of course, you know
when we also start to speak of sleet and ice, that's.
Speaker 5 (17:24):
Where it can make things really tough.
Speaker 4 (17:26):
So Elizabethtown, Bardstown is going to be on the kind
of northern fringe of that, so they may get a
little light coating of ice, but south.
Speaker 5 (17:34):
Of there it could be a bit heavier.
Speaker 4 (17:37):
And yeah, get the snowshovels ready, because I mean we
still could get roughly a foot of snow in and
around town.
Speaker 5 (17:44):
That's a lot of snow.
Speaker 1 (17:45):
There is a lot of snow. And you referenced nineteen
ninety four nineteen ninety eight. I remember both of those
very young in ninety four, but obviously that's when most
people remember. But those were two different snowstorms that came
at you differently. It was a three day window essentially
in ninety eight, where you had twenty two point four
inches over an extended amount of time. Ninety four was
more of a knockout punch eight hours and you had
(18:08):
about sixteen inches. Obviously, both of those situations present challenges
that you wouldn't want. But of the two, what is
a bigger I guess concern the rapid snowfall, or one
that just not as quick but it lingers.
Speaker 5 (18:20):
Yeah, you know, I believe it was.
Speaker 4 (18:22):
It was ninety four that was the one that not
much was predicted, and then like you said, it was
a quick hitter and just came real heavy, really fast.
This one, at the very least we can see coming
and we've seen it's this has been on the weather
models for days on end. Now the big hesitation with
(18:42):
this storm. If you remember back a few days ago,
earlier in the week, the heaviest snow was down towards
Nashville and into Tennessee, where it was like, oh, you
see social media posts two feet of snow for Nashville,
And you know now that heaviest snowband's lifting, you know,
perhaps even nor of the Louisville area, you know, and
into southern Indiana. So that's one of the big difficulties
(19:05):
with these storms is trying to predict them through the
forecast model data before the actual storm itself has really
taken shape. And so that's why we usually preach a
lot of patients moving forward, because the first thing everyone
wants to know is, well, exactly how much know am
I getting in my neighborhood and usually that doesn't come
into line until really right about now into the run
(19:29):
up to the storms a day or two away. And
so as long as we can be patient watch the data.
One thing that is for sure with this storm system
is everyone's going to see significant impacts over the weekend
across the region. And this is so wide sweeping you
said it earlier. This goes from New York City and
Boston all the way down to the southern mountains of
(19:50):
New Mexico. So this covers a huge piece of real estate.
And for us, it is for everyone across our listening
area that is going to see these big time winter
weather impacts. I do think though, right now, the biggest
question mark, and if anything is gonna change it is
it's where that sleet and freezing rain line shifts.
Speaker 5 (20:12):
Does it Does the colder.
Speaker 4 (20:14):
Air went out a little bit and knock it down
a few miles, or does the warmer air aloft went
out and knock that heavier snowband a little farther to
the north. I know the latest trend in the past
couple of days has been for a little farther north.
But I think this is settling out pretty well that
that heaviest snow, especially that foot plus is going to
be really close to the Louisville area, but just immediately north.
Speaker 1 (20:37):
Last question for you, Matt. You're from Houston, Texas, right,
how much snow did you experience growing up compared to
what we're getting this weekend.
Speaker 4 (20:44):
The most we ever had was in the winter of
eighty three, and it was about three inches of snow.
And I remember because before then my family we moved
from from south of Kansas City, so it's note every
year there, you know, And I remember my mom telling me,
she goes, well, you know, the winner's here, doesn't really
(21:05):
snow that much, and then it's snowed that year, and
I'm like, well, it snows every year, right, And then
we didn't get anything until before the ninety four storm
that hit here. We had huge snowflakes in Houston for
about thirty minutes and then that was it, you know.
I mean it was during the school day. We all
went outside, Holy Cot snowing, and that was the last
(21:26):
time I saw snow in Houston. So twice in you know,
roughly fifteen years or so, so it's not too often.
Speaker 1 (21:34):
Well, you've certainly seen plenty here in Louisville over the years,
and you're expected to see more this weekend, so we'll
we'll have plenty and I'm sure, I'm sure some people
love seeing it until it becomes an inconvenience. So thank
you so much for the great work that you've done
throughout the week. We've really been We've really appreciated having
your coverage with Wolky as part of our show and
appreciate you making time for us this morning. Matt, keep
up the great work you bet.
Speaker 4 (21:55):
Everyone stay safe, and yes, stay updated. We'll keep you
or keep tuned in.
Speaker 5 (22:00):
We'll give you all the latest.
Speaker 1 (22:00):
Thank you so much again. That's Matt Melosa, bitch of WLKY. Yeah,
if you're in Texas, I would imagine snow's a real rarity,
of course, in a big part of that state, and
I can imagine seeing it when it's that rare would
be exciting. You may think, oh, that would be cool
to have a snowstorm, until you end up in a
snowstorm like the one we're getting and you realize, oh,
this could cause some issues. All right, let's get a
quick check of trafficking weather. Shall we stick around. It's
(22:22):
news Radio eight forty whas
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