LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — Flooding along the Ohio River forced the cancellation of Thunder Over Louisville, one of the city’s most anticipated and economically significant events, causing widespread disappointment and major financial losses.
The annual air show and fireworks display, which serves as the kickoff to the Kentucky Derby Festival, typically draws hundreds of thousands of visitors and generates an estimated $128 million in economic impact. This year, however, rising floodwaters have put much of the downtown waterfront — including key viewing locations — underwater.
“Right now, the basement of the Galt House is 5 feet under water,” said Josh Zik, president and CEO of Al J. Schneider Company, which owns the hotel.
The Galt House traditionally serves as a hub for Thunder weekend and its already lost hundreds of thousands of dollars in room reservations, according to hotel representatives.
“We are working with guests to either rebook for future dates or issue refunds, depending on what is appropriate,” Zik said. “We’re trying to do what’s best for both our company and our clients.”
Local businesses that planned Thunder viewing parties are also taking a hit, with the tourism sector bracing for millions in losses.
“I think not having Thunder is kind of a devastating blow to the downtown area, especially the tourism infrastructure — the restaurants, the hotels,” said Zack Davis with Louisville Tourism.
The agency estimates nearly $10 million in losses due to the cancellation. Despite the setback, city officials remain hopeful. A major national volleyball tournament, expected to draw 25,000 attendees, will continue as scheduled this weekend, helping to soften the economic blow. Davis said hotels near the airport, downtown and in the city’s east end are still expecting a strong weekend.
The Galt House has lowered its rates for guests impacted by the flooding and is working to recover lost revenue.
“It’s a blow,” Zik said. “But we’ll move forward. We’ve been through COVID — that’s what the bottom looks like. This is just what it is.”
Officials from the Kentucky Derby Festival say more than 70 events are still planned in the coming weeks, with expectations for a strong Derby season ahead.
