LOUISVILLE, Ky. — As Kentuckians begin clean-up efforts from this weekend’s major rainfall event, flooding damage remains a source of frustration for one cancer support nonprofit.


What You Need To Know

  • Gilda's Club Kentuckiana deas with significant flood damage

  • The organization estimates the damage done to the facility is at least $75,000

  • This is the third time the facility has experienced overflowing water this year

  • They’re now welcoming any financial support to help with the repairs and their clients

In the aftermath of heavy rain that caused flooding across the region, it’s causing a day full of headaches for Gilda’s Club Kentuckiana, which provides support to families dealing with cancer.

Janet Gruenberg, the chief operating officer for Gilda’s Club Kentuckiana says, “We had up to two inches of sewage and storm water in our lower level.”

She adds that the flash flood event caused sewage to back up into the basement that left the organization sponging up a big mess.

“I rolled out of bed Sunday morning and checked the security cameras on my phone, and I could see from the two that are downstairs that there was water down there," she said.

The organization estimates the damage done to the facility is at least $75,000.

This was the third time the facility has experienced overflowing water this year.

“In the past, the other two backups had been somewhat localized in the lower level. This one, it came out of every single drain and effected every single bit of square footage in the lower level. It was devastating,” explained Gruenberg.

The nonprofit says they have been working closely with the Louisville Metropolitan Sewer District (MSD) and other professionals to determine what’s causing the problem. They plan to meet on Tuesday.

“It’s something we’re going to get to the bottom of with the help of the professionals who know to solve this issue so it doesn’t happen again,” added Gruenberg.

In the meantime, crews are working around the clock to clean up the mess caused by mother nature while the staff is trying to salvage what they can from the facility.

“They are taking out all of the hardwood floor, they’re taking out all the carpet, they are demoing that space, the baseboards. Then they can start the cleaning and the sanitation process,” said Gruenberg.

The organization helps people with cancer and several other services located on the first level of the building.

“If we have to use those funds to take care of our clean up and restoration, then it just removes funding from our ability, it takes funding away from the opportunity to provide more programs," she said.

They’re now welcoming any financial support to help with the repairs and their clients.

“We have insurance, but our max is $50,000 of coverage. So any donations that people can make to help defray the costs that will be coming out of pocket will be helpful,” said Gruenberg.

As for their impacted facility, they don’t anticipate it being fully functional for at least a month.

Thankfully, the nonprofit is still operating virtually due to the pandemic, so this damage won’t disrupt any support groups or other services.

Click here to donate to help Gilda’s Club Kentuckiana’s with their clean-up efforts.