LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Severe winds and storms Wednesday night did a number on areas in the far eastern outskirts of the Louisville Metro.
In one neighborhood, southeast of Jeffersontown, along Routt and Old Heady Roads, more than 130 homes remain without electricity after storms knocked power lines over and snapped dozens of large trees in half.
LG&E crews were seen Thursday doing repairs.
Neighbors said thankfully the majority of them sustained little to no damage to their actual homes, despite some fallen trees missing rooves by just feet. They tell us they're thankful no one they know of is hurt.
"We're lucky no one was injured," said Juanita Cashen. She and her husband took shelter in their basement as they heard the storm quickly pass through.
For many homeowners, they didn't see the extent of the damage until they woke up Thursday morning, in some cases with trees fallen on cars, fences and roads.
“It was very quick, started around 8:30, and by 9:00, it was gone," neighbor Tracey Keel said. "You couldn’t even see 10 feet in front of you."
Fire & EMS crews assessed damage in the area Thursday while helping to remove debris from roads. Jefferson County Fire officials said they’ve been doing welfare checks through the area, checking for injuries, but to this point, no major medical needs have been reported.
Meanwhile, Keel, a former U.S. Army Corps engineer, opened up his home as shelter for people who needed help.
"We got all the folks who were trapped out here in their cars into the house," said Keel, who helped in relief efforts in western Kentucky just months ago.
Fast forward to Wednesday night, after storms came through, he got to work -- also using a chain saw to help get debris off the roads so people could get through.
A spokesperson for LG&E called this a more complicated area for power restoration, saying efforts will stretch into Friday and possibly Saturday.
Regardless, even without power, neighbors told WHAS11 they're blessed to be alive and have their homes intact.
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