LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Nearly a month after the deadly explosion at the Givaudan Flavors plant on Payne Street, a Clifton resident is being forced to leave her home.
Eunice Stone, 68, says she's still struggling to pick up the pieces of her life after the blast killed two workers, injured 11 others, and left nearby homes uninhabitable.
Stone, who lives just 50 feet from the explosion site, received notice from her property management company, Schempp Realty & Management, that she and her neighbors must vacate their homes by Dec. 4.
The company offered a $500 incentive to residents who move out within the week, but Stone says the short notice has made the process overwhelming.
"I’ve been up every day in my car, moving," Stone said. "When I come out of that car, it’s 10, 11 o’clock at night."
With no electricity or heat in the home, Stone relied on her church family to help her pack and move her belongings. Her car, parked outside the home, has become her moving truck.
Adding to her challenges, Stone’s husband recently fell in their hotel bathroom, breaking three ribs. He had just started a new job with TARC 3 and remains on probation, leaving his employment status uncertain. Her son, a truck driver, also faced complications after a tooth extraction led to internal bleeding, landing him in the hospital.
Stone said the weekly meetings hosted by Givaudan have provided some financial assistance, including gift cards and reimbursements for out-of-pocket expenses, but it’s not enough.
"Keep your petty damn check," Stone said. "I want my life back — I want my home back."
As the holidays approach, Stone says she only has one wish: a stable place to call home.
Givaudan has said it is working to address the needs of residents impacted by the explosion, but for Stone, the emotional and physical toll has been immeasurable.
"Ain’t nobody concerned with you living next door to a plant that exploded," she said. "Ain’t nobody concerned with you not having a home."
Stone and others displaced by the explosion continue to navigate an uncertain future as the cleanup and recovery process unfolds.
Previous Coverage:
- Neighbors of Givaudan plant in Louisville file lawsuit over explosion that damaged homes
- Confusion and fear after Givaudan plant explosion disrupts lives of Louisville residents
- Louisville man seeks class action status in lawsuit over Givaudan plant explosion
- Cold weather brings new obstacles for Clifton residents cleaning up from Givaudan explosion
- Neighbors navigate uncertain future in wake of deadly Givaudan plant explosion in Louisville
- Cooking vessel failure cited as cause of Louisville plant explosion
- Givaudan employee describes 'lots of leaks' at Louisville plant that exploded
- After deadly blast, Louisville leader says Clifton residents 'want the company gone'
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