Mayor Fischer announces assistance for those needing help with flood cleanup, as well as ways to help

Mayor Greg Fischer announced today that Louisville residents who need assistance cleaning up from the past week’s flooding can call Metro Government’s MetroCall 311 to get connected with volunteers who are helping with recovery efforts.

Louisville Metro Emergency Services and the Office of Resiliency and Community Services are working with Kentucky Emergency Management, the Salvation Army, the American Red Cross and Metro United Way to identify flood victims and organize volunteer cleanup teams.

Residents who would like to volunteer to aid stricken residents and help with general community cleanup can contact Metro United Way 2-1-1. Callers can leave their information and will be contacted within 72 hours for a volunteer assignment. The city’s MetroCall 311 is available Monday to Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Mayor Fischer added that the city is developing a plan to disperse a $100,000 donation to help flood victims that University of Louisville head football coach Bobby Petrino and the Petrino Family Foundation made this week. Football team members are slated to be among the cleanup volunteers in the coming days.

“We’re grateful for Coach Petrino’s generous gift and the work of volunteers from across the city who are pitching in to help Louisville bounce back from the flooding,” Mayor Fischer said.

The Mayor also announced today that the city’s flood response and recovery costs had surpassed the $2.8 million threshold required to qualify for assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA. The assistance helps local government agencies recoup costs, which are expected to continue to rise.

As the waters recede, allowing access to previously flooded areas, recovery and cleanup efforts are expected to increase across the city in the coming days.

Louisville Metro Public Works has opened seven flood debris drop-off sites throughout the county. The locations and hours of operations are found on the Louisvilleky.gov website:https://louisvilleky.gov/government/flood-drop-locations

In addition, Waterfront Development Corporation staff and many volunteers will begin cleaning up Waterfront Park as the waters return to normal levels. Louisville Metro Parks is assessing affected locations and will be hosting community cleanups at a future date.

The Salvation Army is accepting donations of cleaning supplies at its 911 South Brook Street campus. Items most needed at this time include the following:

Bottles of Water

Disposable Latex Gloves

Heavy Duty Work Gloves

Bleach (82 Ounces)

Household Cleaners (Windex, 409, etc.)

Disinfectant Dish Soap

Scrub Brushes/Pads

Sponges

Towels

Paper Towels

Dust Masks

Mops

Brooms

5-Gallon Buckets

Storage Totes

Heavy Duty Garbage Bags

*Note*- For those able to donate large scale donations (Pallets), please call (502) 671-4900 to arrange pick-up and/ or delivery of those items. Clothing and household goods are not needed.

As with all disasters, financial donations are most effective because they offer flexibility in supporting relief operations and those immediately affected by disaster. To make a financial donation by phone, please contact the Salvation Army’s Donor Relations Manager, Rennay Cooke at (502) 671-4926. By mail, please make checks payable to The Salvation Army of Louisville and note in the memo line “Disaster Relief.” Mail checks to The Salvation Army, 911 S. Brook St., Louisville, KY 40203.