HENDERSON, Ky. — Henderson County residents are getting much-needed support after recent flooding left dozens of homes severely damaged. 

The American Red Cross has opened a disaster resource center to help survivors navigate recovery at 1213 Washington St., operating Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

“We wanted to be able to provide a resource center for those families who have major damage or destroyed homes,” said Beth Sweeney, executive director of the American Red Cross Southwest chapter.

The center offers in-person support for survivors with representatives explaining assistance programs, helping to apply for financial aid and connecting people to other resources. Approximately 43 homes in Henderson County have major damage or are destroyed, and that number could grow as assessment continues.

Sweeney said most of those people have been texted or called, letting them know they’re eligible for assistance.

“If it is a need that maybe the Red Cross doesn’t provide, we are working to connect them with other resources in the community," she said. "And there are lots of them." 

Among those seeking help was Tonya Wells, a Hebbardsville resident who lives along the Green River. Floodwaters damaged three structures on her property, including her home.

“It came so quick; we tried to move as much as we could out," Wells said. "We had raised two of the four structures on the property up a couple blocks, but it just wasn’t enough. In our home, it got underneath the bottom of the house and damaged the structure pretty bad. The insulation, now we’ve got a lot that we’re cleaning up.”

Wells visited the center to explore available programs, especially after losing about $800 worth of propane when her tank flipped over. 

She’s registered for assistance and is waiting to see if Henderson County is declared a federal disaster area, which could unlock more aid. 

While the shelter that was initially set up in Henderson during the flooding is no longer open, the Red Cross will continue to provide support with volunteers from across the country ready to lend a helping hand.

For those needing help, the Red Cross encourages visiting the resource center through Thursday or calling 1-800-RED-CROSS. 

Disaster assistance will be a rollout process for other counties. As the Red Cross finishes damage assessments in those counties, information will go out to households that have major damage or destroyed homes