Heavy rain disrupts Lexington recycling and floods cleanup

Heavy rain and Monday-morning flash flooding prompted Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government to issue two separate resident notices: one about a temporary curbside recycling disruption and another about how to report and document flood damage.

Here’s what Lexington residents were told to do next.

No curbside recycling pickup on Tuesday, June 23

In a city alert, Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government said there would be no curbside recycling collection on Tuesday, June 23, 2026. The city linked the change to mechanical issues at the Lexington Recycle Center caused by wet recyclables after the heavy rain.

The city also told residents that if they put out blue-cart recycling for Tuesday, the materials would be landfilled. The city said there is no storage space at the recycle center for recyclables until the mechanical issues are resolved.

Residents with Tuesday curbside waste collection were also urged: if possible, don’t put your blue recycle cart out on Tuesday.

City officials added that the Lexington Recycle Center was not accepting material from other waste haulers, and residents with private waste collection (or curbside collection in a surrounding county) should check with their provider for updates.

City urges residents to report flood damage to 311

Separate guidance from the city urged residents affected by Monday morning’s flash flooding to contact LexCall 311 and report flood damage. In the notice, Mayor Linda Gorton said the National Weather Service reported 2.5 to 3 inches of rain in less than an hour and a half in parts of Lexington-Fayette County.

The city’s guidance for property owners focused on safety and follow-up, including:

• Safety first if flooding is inside a basement.
• Report damage to 311 so city crews can come and evaluate.
• Document losses before cleanup—the city said photos can help support insurance claims.
• Contact an insurance company and, if needed, a plumber or cleanup professional.
• The city noted that in most cases, water entering through basement walls, windows, sump pumps, gutters, or private service lines is a private property issue, not city-maintained infrastructure.
• If the flooding is from sanitary sewers (not floodwater), the city’s contractor can assist with cleanup.

The city also said street flooding should be reported to 311, and residents should provide the precise location so crews can inspect post-flooding problems such as clogged storm drains and debris.

Finally, the city reiterated severe-weather safety messages: residents should not drive through flooded roadways, and should call 911 for life-threatening emergencies.

Sources

• City of Lexington guidance: City urges residents to report flood damage