Storm weather triggers anxiety for residents still awaiting inspections after Givaudan explosion

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) – Following the Givaudan plant explosion, Clifton homeowners anxiously wait home inspections.

Some of the homeowners on Payne Street have had home inspections, but others have not.

The Louisville manufacturing plant exploded in November, just down the road from Cameron Latham's home.

"It felt like an earthquake, but there was a really loud noise at the same time. So, I thought that a big tree had fallen on my house out back," Latham said.

Latham couldn't believe it.

Givaudan 6.jpg — Aftermath of damage caused to Louisville homes after the Givaudan Plant explosion. (WDRB photo)

"After I checked that, I thought someone must have crashed into my house because there was like, I couldn't think of anything else that would explain the noise and the vibrations," Latham said.

Five weeks later, and his 125-year-old home is still standing, but an inspector has not been by yet.

"I was supposed to be receiving a call this week for engineers to come out and inspect it, but I haven't heard anything. And I called and left a voicemail yesterday, no response so far," Latham said.

Givaudan said homeowners and renters have two options:

Go through their own insurance company, or through Crawford, Givaudan's insurance representative.

"I think they really need to get things rolling. I'm tired of waiting," Latham said. "People have already put up with enough in the neighborhood."

Shortly after speaking with Latham, he called WDRB with an update. A Crawford representative scheduled his inspection for the first Monday in the New Year. Then, a few hours later, a Crawford representative called him again and said the company could come on the 19th of December.

"I just know that they're trying to get those of us who have the most damage taken care of first," said Clifton resident Hilary Ford.

Ford lives on the backside of the plant and had extensive damage. Inspectors have already stopped by.

"They're doing a really thorough job. They were here for probably an hour and a half between just creating a floor plan and all of that, they've been very accommodating," Ford said.

But now, she's displaced for Christmas in an apartment.

"It's been crazy to pack up all your house," Ford said. "It just exhausting, like there's really no end in sight yet, but I'm hoping that work starts next week, and I think once that starts, I'll feel a lot better."

A Givaudan spokesperson told WDRB on Wednesday that Crawford is available to all with the understanding that it may take longer.

Residents are now instructed to ditch the previous 800 number and call or text this number: 502-341-2903. Givaudan also says to submit a claim form online.

"The storm last night, I woke up to a loud boom, and I was like, explosion in my neighborhood again," Latham said. "They really need to get on top of it."

Other homeowners on the backside of the plant said the best way to get on Givaudan's radar was to email them at communitysupport@ddwcolor.com.

You can also request a date for property assessments, repair follow up, or insurance related questions Crawford at givaudanclaims@us.crawco.com.

Givaudan has sent emails to WDRB News and nearby residents.

It said in-part:

"Over the coming weeks, there will continue to be clean-up work at the plant site, including the removal of materials and ingredients.

Working in collaboration with the KY EPA and other relevant regulatory authorities, a thorough protocol for material/ingredient removal has been established.

As there will be an increase in truck traffic to and from the site in this first phase, the driveway from Payne Street will be blocked off from Dec 17-20.

As some of the clean-up/removal steps involved are weather sensitive, to ensure safe operations, times and dates may be changed or finalized with short notice.

Please keep an eye on updates from Councilman Owen and the Clifton Community Council for details as they become available."

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