LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Insurance adjuster Monica McCormick visited 1907 Payne St., Apt. 1, the home of Randy Crumley, to assess damage to the property after it was severely impacted by the deadly Nov. 12 Givaudan plant explosion


What You Need To Know

  • The Nov. 12 Givaudan plant explosion killed two, injured several others and damaged nearby properties

  • Insurance adjusters, such as Monica McCormick, are visiting homeowners and assessing damage 

  • Several residents were forced to move out because of damage  

  • McCormick said she completed eight inspections Thursday and 10 Friday, with more on the schedule for next week

"You always start from the bottom, and we do an exterior first,” McCormick said. “That means I’m looking at everything from the foundation all the way up to the roofline."

McCormick has been a field adjuster for 10 years. The Nov. 12 explosion and the damage it caused to nearby houses was a "catastrophic event," in McCormick's words. 

“All the way up, I see drywall damage to the walls," McCormick said as she went through each room of the apartment, taking photos and measurements. "I see drywall damage to the ceiling." 

Crumley has called the apartment home for about five years. For the last 10 days, he has stayed in a friend's house, but many of his belongings are still in his Payne Street apartment.

Randy Crumley stands in his mangled kitchen after the Givaudan Sense Colour plant explosion damaged nearby homes on Nov. 12, 2024. (Spectrum News 1/Jonathon Gregg)

“Power’s off,” Crumley said. “I’ve been staying in my friend’s basement since the thing happened ... she’s got to be tired of me by now, you know." 

This visit by McCormick is a crucial step in the process for Crumley to be compensated for any loss caused by explosion. Two people were killed inside the plant while nearby homes were damaged.

“That’s all I’m here to do, is document the damage and what caused the damage," McCormick said. "Obviously, you’re right there; we know what caused the damage."

The damage to Crumley’s apartment is extensive and spans the length of the building. Crumley's kitchen door and window were blown in, and a giant steel beam crashed through his living room window.

McCormick said she completed eight inspections Thursday and 10 Friday, with more on the schedule for next week. Of all the properties she has visited, she said 1907 Payne St. suffered the most damage. 

Crumley said McCormick's visit has been his most positive interaction over the last 10 days.