HENDERSON, KY — In response to the recent ice storm that has impacted Western Kentucky, the Crisis Cleanup Hotline has been activated to connect those in need with volunteer groups providing free debris cleanup services. The hotline will begin accepting calls at 9 a.m. Friday, January 17.
Residents needing assistance with ice storm damage can call 270-887-4657 to request help.
Volunteers will assist with making debris manageable, including cutting fallen trees and limbs. While all services are free, availability is limited, and assistance cannot be guaranteed due to overwhelming demand. All requests must be submitted before 8 p.m. on January 24, 2025.
Services Offered
The Crisis Cleanup Hotline connects residents with volunteer organizations and community groups who
provide assistance with:
• Tree and branch cutting
• Tarping to cover damaged roofs
• Hauling debris to the curb for disposal (City residents)
• Consolidating debris into manageable piles for disposal (County residents)
Volunteers cannot assist with tasks that require special training, equipment, or expenses. This
includes:
• Large tree removal or the removal of trees leaning on homes
• Activities requiring permits, such as plumbing, electrical work, or rebuilding
Volunteers cannot remove debris from properties.
This hotline does not provide food, clothing, shelter, financial assistance, or insurance support. For these
resources, residents should call 211.
Volunteers Needed
United Way of Henderson County is seeking phone volunteers to help answer the hotline. Phone services
can be done from home. Training is quick and can be completed at your convenience. To sign up, contact
Kelsi Dunham at United Way via email at kdunham@uwofhc.org or by phone at 270-826-2107.
Volunteer Groups
Community groups and organizations interested in assisting with debris cleanup must register and
complete a vetting process through Crisis Cleanup. Volunteers provide their own tools and equipment
and assume liability for their work. To register, visit crisiscleanup.org/about and begin the
registration process.
If you cannot reach someone immediately at the hotline, leave a message, and a volunteer will return
your call within 48 hours.
Debris Disposal and Removal
This effort is entirely volunteer-led. For official disposal and removal processes, please refer to
guidance from Henderson County Government and the City of Henderson via their website and social
media. Volunteer groups will be informed of city and county efforts to effectively manage debris.
Volunteer-Led Effort, Independent of Local Government
This initiative operates independently of the official cleanup efforts by Henderson County or the City of
Henderson. United Way of Henderson County is not facilitating cleanup efforts but is instead serving
as a connector and convener for those who wish to volunteer and assist their neighbors. All coordination
is based on the Crisis Cleanup platform, which streamlines volunteer efforts by matching them with
requests for assistance.
United Way emphasizes that liability, tools, and equipment for cleanup are the responsibility of the
volunteers. The platform provides a means to organize and communicate needs, but services are not
guaranteed due to the high volume of requests.
About the Crisis Cleanup Platform
Crisis Cleanup is a trusted disaster response coordination tool that connects relief organizations,
volunteers, and community groups with individuals and families in need. By centralizing requests for
assistance, the platform prevents duplication of efforts and ensures a more efficient recovery process.
Key Features Include:
• Centralized work orders for volunteers to access and respond to
• Improved resource allocation for disaster response
• Collaboration among reputable organizations like United Way, AmeriCorps, and local nonprofits
Comments