LOUISVILLE, KY — With heavy rainfall pounding the region for days, Louisville city officials are sounding the alarm: the city’s stormwater and sewer systems are maxed out, and residents are being asked to temporarily cut back on water use.
Mayor Craig Greenberg issued an urgent message Friday, asking households to avoid using washing machines, dishwashers, and any other appliances that send large volumes of water into the system.
“Our sewer system is currently at full capacity, and the Louisville Metropolitan Sewer District (MSD) is overwhelmed with reports of sanitary backups,” Greenberg said on social media. “Please hold off on doing laundry or dishes until further notice.”
In response to rising water levels, MSD has also closed five floodwall roads along the swelling Ohio River. All 16 of the city’s pump stations are expected to be up and running by Sunday to help manage the overflow.
The sanitary sewer system is expected to return to normal operations by Sunday, but until then, residents are being asked to conserve water and avoid reporting backups until floodwaters recede.
Even more concerning, the Ohio River continues to rise and isn’t expected to crest until Wednesday—potentially reaching 23 feet above normal levels. Greenberg cautioned that this could become one of the most severe flooding events in Louisville’s history.
“This is incredibly serious,” the mayor emphasized. “We expect this to be one of the 10 largest flood events Louisville has ever experienced.”
Residents are urged to stay informed through official city channels and take precautions as the extreme weather persists.
