With flood waters beginning to recede and local residents regaining access to their homes, Henderson County Emergency Management, Henderson County Government and other partner agencies have organized events and resources to both aid those with damaged property and offer ways Henderson Countians can help their family, friends, neighbors and fellow citizens in their time of need.
FOR FLOOD VICTIMS
CLEAN-UP:
- At 8 a.m. on Thursday, April 17, and Monday, April 21, the Henderson County Road Department will have dumpsters available at the Cagey’s Store in Beals and the Reed Community Church. Area residents with flood damage are welcome to bring appliances, TVs, computers, rugs, carpets, furniture, drywall, garbage and other waterlogged debris to the dumpsites for disposal. Please no vegetative debris. The sump sites will close at 3 p.m. both days. Used car and truck tires can be brought to the Henderson County Recycling Center, 398 Sam Ball Way, from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. No tractor tires, please. Additional dates are being planned. Appliances, carpets, rugs, furniture, TVs, computers and up to four used tires per person will be accepted during the Spring Clean-Up event at Zion Baptist Church, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., April 25-26. No demolition debris such as drywall and insulation will be accepted at the Zion Clean-Up.
- Buckets of free cleaning supplies will be available at two locations: The Henderson Emergency Management Command Post at the intersection of U.S. 60 and Kentucky 811 at Beals will hand out cleaning supplies to local residents from 3 to 6 each evening starting Thursday, April 16. Supplies will also be available during 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to noon Saturday at the 4 Good Community Store in Old Orchard Shopping Center of the U.S. 41 Strip. At each location there will be a limit of two buckets per person. Those requesting more buckets for neighbors or friends in the flood zones can leave the addresses of those homes with the staff or volunteers. Those requesting supplies may be asked for a photo ID and other information to help prevent fraud.
- Volunteers are being recruited to help residents with basic clean-up needs at their houses until the homes are judged to be safe. The volunteers will be wearing gear identifying them as part of the crews.
- The Red Cross and the Salvation Army will continue to make food available to flood victims until demand for that service ends.
- Due to the nature of flood water and dangerous debris, flood survivors and volunteers should consider getting a tetanus vaccine shot, which are available for little or no charge at local pharmacies, the Henderson County Health Department or personal physician’s offices.
- Teams from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will soon be in the flood zones assessing damage. Those assessments may help local residents get financial assistance for restoring their homes. Flood survivors are urged to take as many photos of their damaged property as possible and write down both the estimated value of items destroyed or of costs they’ve incurred during clean-up.
- Plans are being made to open a Henderson Help Center next week at the Salvation Army with more information about resources available for flood victims, including new household items, toiletries, kids clothes, monetary aid and more.
- To sign up for help from home clean-up volunteers or other assistance, call the United Way of Henderson County at (270) 826-2107 during business hours, or 2-1-1 after business hours. Operators will take your information and arrange a return contact when help is available. An email with a clean-up help request can also be sent to kdunham@uwofhc.org.
FOR DONATIONS AND VOLUNTEERS
- There are many opportunities for volunteers to help, from the clean-up crews, to data entry, materials management, warehouse workers and more. To offer your assistance or to get more information, contact Kelsi Dunham at the United Way of Henderson County at (270) 826-2107 or kdunham@uwofhc.org.
- No donations of used clothing, furniture, blankets or other household items are needed. The following items are needed for volunteers and can be brought to 4 Good Community during their business hours: Tools, facemasks, respirator masks, gloves, rubber boots, safety vests, safety glasses, wheelbarrows, dollies, ratchet straps, mold prevention chemicals, tire repair kits and garden sprayers.
- Monetary donations can be made in three ways: Any number of $25 gift cards can be given to the United Way of Henderson County, 428 Second Street, which will them relay them to flood survivors in need. Please be certain the cards are valued at $25. Money can also be donated to the Salvation Army of Henderson, 1213 Washington Street, for its ongoing work helping with flood response. Please put “flooding” in the memo line if you donate by check. Donations can also be made to the Red Cross by calling (800) 733-2767, hitting option 2 and then telling the operator you’d like to make a donation directed toward the flood disaster in Henderson County, Ky.
SAFETY AND SECURITY
- Local law enforcement agencies are increasing day and night patrols in areas affected by the floods. Anyone suspecting criminal activity at houses in the flood zones is urged to call 911 and report the incident. The added patrols will last until further notice.
More details about flood relief, donations, volunteer opportunities and safety efforts will be made public soon. Please call Henderson County Emergency Management at (270) 831-1235 with any questions not covered by what is listed above.
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