15-04-2025
Big Eddy Road residents working together to help rebuild their community
FRANKFORT, Ky. (FOX 56) — Many in Frankfort are still rebuilding after homes and businesses were destroyed by the most recent flooding.
'This has been the most catastrophic one that I have seen since I lived here,' said Frankfort resident Rigel Ramsey.
Big Eddy Road residents working together to help rebuild their community
Frankfort Independent Schools return after flooding extends spring break
Kentucky's tax deadline extended due to disaster declaration
Homes on Big Eddy Road in Frankfort will never be the same following the most recent flooding.
'It just got to the point where there was no hope,' said resident Heather Mammen. 'It was horrible because we knew that we were going under.'
In just 48 hours, floodwater rose to nearly 10 feet in Mammen's home.
'To see your home just being taken over with water is really tough,' Mammen added.
Study: Kentucky is the toughest state to own an EV in
Study: It costs over $200K to raise a child over 18 years in Kentucky
These Kentucky small towns make USA Today's '10 Best'
While she is working to clean up the damage to her home, her organization's GLOW Project and GlowNGrow Cleaning Services joined together to help those in the community.
'We've helped 4 or 5 homes. We've got two crews out today who are working with our neighbors and friends here in Frankfort,' she said.
Mammen started the GLOW Project after her daughter, Elaina Mammen, was shot and killed in 2022.
'She led her life with love and light, and I think she got that pretty honestly from her mama, but also because of who she is,' said Mammen. 'When you help others, it takes the focus off of your own pain. You can't have darkness and light in the same space. And when you're helping others, you don't have time to think about all your own struggles as much.'
Mammen and other volunteers have been working together to rebuild from the damage. It's something neighbors like Carol Olson-Smith, whose home was also filled with 10 feet of water, are grateful for.
Latest central Kentucky weather forecast
'I think we can just say to each other, 'It's going to be a good day, even though so many people on this road are experiencing much worse than I am. I recognize that immediately, and I can't imagine what some of my neighbors are going through,' said Olson-Smith.
'Other people feed me when I'm weak. Their prayers, text messages, and support when I'm at my lowest—that's what helps bring me up,' Mammen added. 'And that's what encourages me to give to others because I know that I'm going to help them too.'
Mammen's twin sister, Ruthie Clayton, has also been helping Olson-Smith.
'I used to work with her at the hospital here in town, and her house flooded just up to the main level and the whole bottom level, so she's got contractors out here already working,' said Clayton. 'She's packing her things to move to Louisville for about 3 or 4 months.'
Mammen said she expects the recovery process for her community to take 2 to 6 months.
Great Crossing wins Sweet 16 boys state championship
Great Crossing and Montgomery County are final four bound
Great Crossing, Montgomery County, North Laurel all win Sweet 16 first round games
You can donate to the organization's Venmo @GLOW-Project or contact Mammen at (859)-420-5653.
If you'd like to volunteer, you can join the GLOW Project or visit their website.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
