FEMA Debris Removal Guidelines
The following information was provided by the Laurel-Whitley County Emergency Management office in London and was shared by the Laurel County Fiscal Court. They have issued the following directives and recommendations following the deadly tornado in Laurel County.
The emergency management office is being swamped with offers of assistance from all over the country. To stop the influx of unneeded items, we encourage anyone who wants to help to purchase gift cards for families affected by the tornado at grocery stores, home improvement stores, restaurants, local businesses and other places where gift cards are accepted.
Any calls or requests to inquire about family members or unaccounted individuals should be directed to the Kentucky State Police at 606-878-6622.
Homeowners are encouraged to take a lot of photos of the damage caused by the tornado before beginning cleanup. We also recommend not starting cleanup until FEMA representatives complete their damage assessments, which will start soon. It’s best to allow the agency to visualize the total damage so it can assist in recovery efforts.
When cleanup efforts start, we encourage homeowners to separate debris at the curbside. This will speed up and protect the debris removal process. Please be safety aware when handling dangerous debris. Separate the debris into the following categories:
- Vegetation. This includes trees, tree limbs, leaves, shrubs and other plants.
- Construction. This includes all home construction items including brick, lumber, wallboard, trusses and other materials.
- Large Appliances. This includes refrigerators, washers and dryers, stoves, air conditioners and water heaters.
- Household hazardous waste. This includes paint, paint thinners, pesticides, cleaners and other hazardous waste materials that will have to be handled differently by cleanup crews.
- Electronics. This category includes televisions, computers, stereos and other electronic equipment.
- Household garbage. This includes bagged garbage, discarded food, paper and packaging.
The FEMA debris removal guide is attached below.
- On May 19, 2025