The Louisville Metro Council's Ad Hoc Committee on the Flash Flood of 2009 held its final meeting Monday.The panel was formed to hear input from residents, Metropolitan Sewer District officials and others about the cause of the August 4 disaster, the city's response to it, and possible flood-prevention steps.Co-chair Judy Green says the panel has come up with a partial list of recommendations based on the information.Among them:"We would like to implement and endorse the plan MSD has been advocating of buyouts of properties in Metro Louisville in areas that are prone to flooding and sewage backflow problems," Green said.The buyouts would be voluntary and contingent on the availability of federal funds.The panel is also recommending the creation of more greenspace, especially in flood prone areas of south and west Louisville, and more frequent clearing of drainage ditches.Any future flood-related issues will be addressed by the council's Transportation and Public Works Committee.
Rick Howlett was midday host and the host of LPM's weekly talk show, "In Conversation." He was with LPM from 2001-2023 and held many different titles, including Morning Edition host, Assignment Editor and Interim News Director. He died in August 2023. Read a remembrance of Rick here.