Louisville launches $5 million citywide flood cleanup plan ahead of Kentucky Derby

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- With flood waters receding, Louisville is ready to start the cleanup along the Ohio River.

"We as a city have been through so much in the last nine days," said Mayor Craig Greenberg. "Multiple tornadoes, historic flooding, biblical weather that really hit us hard."

Greenberg announced an action plan on Friday to remove debris and restore flood-damaged roads, parks and other areas of the city. Work is expected to begin this weekend in east, west and southwest Louisville.

"We have 22 days until the Kentucky Derby, when the eyes of the world will be on Louisville," Greenberg said. "I am confident our plan will ensure the flood-damaged areas of our city are restored and beautiful again by the first Saturday in May."

The mayor and the city has hired AshBritt, a national disaster response service provider. The company will work with Public Works, Parks & Recreation, and Emergency Services to help get the cleanup done as quickly as possible.

"This is not going to be an easy process but our expectation is that our parks, roadways and Waterfront Park are going to be restored in their original condition in time for the Kentucky Derby."

The first phase of a three-part plan calls for debris to be cleared from roadways to ensure emergency access. Phase two focuses clearing mud and debris from parks, parking lots and public areas along roadways including sidewalks.

Phase three includes curbside pickup of debris along with items damaged or destroyed by severe weather. That pickup will only be available to residents whose homes or businesses were impacted by this month’s storms. More information on will be released soon.

Mayor Greenberg said the cleanup will cost an estimated $5 million. He said the city is expected to be refunded 87 percent of the total cost from FEMA.

Waterfront Park cleanup

Waterfront Park is calling on volunteers to participate in a community cleanup effort to remove trash and litter left behind from the flooding. The event is Saturday, April 12 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the TurfMutt Great Lawn, located near the intersection of Witherspoon and Floyd streets.

"As we have been flooded by the Ohio River at Waterfront Park, we have simultaneously been flooded with messages of support and people asking how they can help restore the space," said Debra Bilitski, the Executive Director of Waterfront Park.

Park staff will assist with cleanup and also provide supplies such as trash bags, gloves and pinchers for trash pickup. Volunteers are encouraged to wear long pants and sturdy closed-toe shoes. Masks and waterproof gloves are optional.

Anyone interested in volunteering can register here.

Due to extreme rainfall throughout the region over a four-day period last week, the Ohio River in Downtown Louisville rose to more than 36.5 feet, the highest recorded level since 1997 and the eighth highest in recorded history.

On Thursday, April 3, Greenberg signed a disaster declaration for Jefferson County. On April 4, the Federal Emergency Management Agency announced that federal disaster assistance is now available to all 120 Kentucky Counties.