flood

FLOOD A GOVERNMENT DESIGNED FOR THE PEOPLE, BY THE PEOPLE, FAILED THE PEOPLE. FACES OF DESPERATION A DESOLATE LAND, AND A DESPERATE PEOPLE GONE BUT NEVER FORGOTTEN. FEMA EXPOSED Inside This Edition Special Flood Edition 2022

rain. As the storms stalled out over the mountains, some places would receive as much as a foot ofrain in a matter of hours. Breathitt, Clay, Floyd, Johnson, Knott, Leslie, Letcher, Magoffin, Martin, Owsley, Perry, Pike, counties were declared natural disaster areas by both state and federal government. The summer of 2022 was abnormal as they come forthe Appalachian region. Waves of cool weather broke records, followed by waves ofrecord breaking heat. The constant battle of temperature swings, and a train of moisture from the Gulf of Mexico; combined to create the disaster of July 28th. What started out as a stormy afternoon on the 28th, would have been normal for Eastern Kentucky as, summertime thunderstorms often blow up in the heat ofthe day, and die with the setting sun. However, on this particular day,the storms continued to blossom as the night wore on. Many localresidents wentto bed unaware ofthe disasterthat awaited. Trouble loomed as saturated soil and steep terrain, combined to form the perfect storm, with the torrential Flooding of Biblical Proportions The flood waters began reaching their peak at 4AM, while most people were asleep. Many woke to the raging waters,tearing their homes apart. Some were forced to climb the mountains to escape with theirlives, while others were forced to cling to floating debris and trees for hours in orderto survive. Some lostthe battle alltogether as the swift water swept them away. In the end,thousands were left homeless. Tent cities replaced once vibrant neighborhoods. Many visitors ofthe region often says its a land where the rich and poorlive side by side. Now they are equal, all have nothing. The Government Has Not Come To Save You, Only Jesus Can.

The grief ofthe people is great. The disaster did notrecognize age groups, ethnicity, or social status. It was not a respecter of wealth or poverty. In the end,the swift waters left homes in splinters and piles of debris. Whole towns desolate and desperate marked by several feet of mud. The structures bearthe scars of the flood with mud lines on the walls. The problem is now housing. Many homes were damaged beyond repair and left uninhabitable. The Appalachian mentality has always been to stick with yourland. Where homes once set,tents are placed on bare slabs. The people are prepared to remain at all costto protecttheir little spot on earth. Whole families now fillthe tent dwellings. This desire to ride outthe storm, and stick with theirland comes at huge risks forthe family. The area is debris covered with increased risks of disease, poisonous snakes such as the copperhead and rattlesnake have bitten several during the clean- up of debris. Brown recluse spiders, sweltering heat, and cool nights, all pose serious health risks to those who remain unsheltered . As the rains continue,the threatfor additional flooding always remains atthe front of everyone's minds. Although itis unlikely that water will everreturn to the levels seen on July 28th,those who survived that night will neverforgetthe sights and sounds ofthe unthinkable. Those desperate now look across the desolate land and wonderif life will everreturn to normal. Where willthe funds come from to rebuild homes and to putthings back in order? Many know thatthe meagerfunds of disability of $841 per month will not buy the items needed to rebuild their homes orto pay the skyrocketing rentalrates created by a lack of affordable housing in Eastern Kentucky. Like sands through the hour glass,time marches on. Itis running outforthese homeless. Winter will soon be here, and the forecastis for cold and snow. This stress is taking its toll on the people. A pregnantlady who lost her home, wentinto labor early, and the baby was born weighing a meger 3lb. Though in the NIC unit,the family is making ready to bring the baby home to a converted smokehouse to spend the first part of its life. FEMA has denied the family assistance 5 times. While walking through the storage shed,the child's crib that had been obtained through a baby showerlay in mud, caked on and hardened. The FEMA inspector told her she could wipe that crib down, and thatit would be alrightto allow her baby to sleep in it. The mother simply turned to the lady and looked her eye to eye in disgust. She simply replied, "would you let your child sleep in this?" Housing Crisis

For centuries,the Appalachian people have been known fortheir deep rooted faith in Christianity. Many call Appalachia, "the land of a thousand churches." Religion runs deep in these hills, and God- fearing is one oftheir greatesttraits. On Sunday mornings,the small white country churches are crowded with diverse congregations, each one praying to a God that sends the sunshine and the rain. Lately, it seems thatthere has been more rain than sunshine here in Appalachia. The one thing that many ofthese people have been left without- is places to worship. Many ofthe community churches were destroyed during the flooding. With so many homeless to work with, many ofthe churches remain untouched as people work with families to reestablish homes, while putting churches on the back burner. Itis the faith ofthe Appalachian that is being tested during this time. Some suggestthat God has become angry with the sinful nature of man; others firmly believe thatthe demise ofthe land has been created by the prophecy ofthe scriptures, and that these things must come to pass for the Bible to be fulfilled. Many ofthese Appalachian Christians are missing the strength gathered from the fellowship each Sunday morning. A time when communities come together and prayed for each other's needs. Faith Put To The Test While in the field, groups pouring into Appalachia are being asked the hard questions by the children. One question asked during an interview was, "If God loves us, how can He let this happen to us?" Itis a question thatis expected, butimpossible to answer. Since many homes were completely destroyed, many families were left without Bibles. In fact, itis not uncommon during the humanitarian convoys to see folks scouring the creeks in hopes to recover personal items lostin the historic flooding. One ofthose items recovered was a New Testament caked in mud, but non-the-less The Word of God. purpose forthis,there is a reason, and I will never know thatreason here, but we will come back stronger, and He will bring us back betterthan we were before." Itis the teachings found within the lids ofthis book,that keeps so many going. Itis always amazing to speak to the residents who have lost everything. They always come back with a positive attitude, always proclaiming that God is good allthe time, notjust the good times. One resident who lost everything; including her husband said, "God had a Thatis the prayer of so many,that God will find a way to bring back things betterthan before. The devastation was so great,thatin a 30-mile-span, from Salyersville to Jackson, 7 churches were located along Route 30. All 7 churches had a range of waterinside them from 4 feetto 8 feet, destroying all 7 churches.

The waters rose quickly throughout the night. They were swift and destructive,tearing apart homes and cutting access offto many. It became a necessity to begin rescue efforts immediately. Blackhawk helicopters and swift waterrescue boats began operations throughoutthe event. There were over1,500 waterrescues from throughoutthe areas effected by the flood waters. One such rescue occurred on Route 30 in Breathitt County, as a community of 12 people huddled togetherin an attic of a home. The family became trapped there as the home was inundated with flood water. The family would have to wait two days in the attic before the chopper arrived. The family was freed through a hole torn in the roof, and baskets were dropped from the helicopterto complete the rescue. Some ofthe elderly could not be airlifted due to heart conditions. Fear of inducing a heart attack required swift waterrescue boats to ford the streams in orderto transport people to safety. Many families remain isolated out of their homes due to bridge access being cut off. Blackhawk Helicopters Became Angels to Many Home Where 12 Family Members Huddled in an Attic for 2 Days Children Rescued By Helicopter Roads Turned to Rivers Boat Rescues Angel Wings & Boats Rescuing the Elderly and Sick WaterInto Wine Food Pantry In Action As the clouds parted and the water receded, it became clear that Magoffin County had been spared the disasterforthe most part. Water Into Wine and personnel began to take care ofthe minor needs of its county. It was then thatit was realized how much need the eastern part of Breathitt County was in. With folks living in tents,running low on supplies, and the supply chain clogged up in Jackson, WaterInto Wine began its outreach to various agencies to begin establishing a supply chain to serve the eastern part of Breathitt. Calls began to go outfor help and the newly established relationship with the Rousseau Fire Department was forged. Trucks began to immediately bring food and supplies and unloading atthe commercial docks atthe WaterInto Wine Food Pantry. Trucks pulling flatbed trailers were then dispatched to haulthe 25 miles to the Rousseau Fire Community Building and convoys into the rural areas. The WaterInto Wine Food Pantry office members also met on a Saturday and cooked 50lbs of soup beans, fried 50lbs of potatoes and cooked 50lbs of cabbage, and served several meals from the parking lot at the community building, while several other meals were delivered to those who lacked transportation. The office staff at WaterInto Wine is now working with various groups who are helping with recovery ranging from housing,to contacting donors who are providing campers,, so thatfolks can be moved out of tent housing.

We ask that you pray forthe survivors ofthis catastrophe. For years to come, that horrible night will awaken some with nightmares. Those who survived will forever hearthe rushing water,the sound oftrees and homes reduced to splinters. Some will neverforget looking from their window into the storm where lightening,thunder, and the torrentialrains mixed with the sound of car alarms and headlights bobbing in the muddy water as it washed cars away. The realterror will be when they have the nightmares with the screams of theirloved ones who perished. The struggles ofthe helpless feelings of being unable to save those who meant the world to them. The hollowness of realizing that everything you ever owned in this world is suddenly gone, and the term "homeless" is lived rather than a sight beheld in a large city. Appalachians are no strangerto the rain. For centuries,the people ofthis land have battled the elements of nature. They have endured the third world treatmentfrom the rest oftheir state and country. They have been embattled with theirfellow American and been called lazy and poor. They have been mocked and ridiculed. However, each time they have been knocked down,they have found a way to arise from the ashes like a phoenix from the fire. Could it be jealousy to the resiliency ofthe mountain people? These people who survived are not going anywhere. It does not matter how bad FEMA treats them. It does not matter how many names they are called uneducated and poor. They have mountain pride. Pride in their families, pride in their God. They will prevail when all else fails. The children willtell stories of this time in history for years to come. They will draw pictures and write stories aboutthis night. It will be their memories that keep those who passed away alive. As I watch a little girl age 6, playing with a dollhouse and a Barbie doll, I am suddenly shocked and alarmed as she begins screaming and makes the doll jump up and down on the roof. I ask herif she is okay, and those wide eyes filled with tears, tell me that Barbie is trying to get away from the flood waters. It is then that her mothertells me that she was with herfamily as they set atop oftheirroof waiting forthe helicopters to rescue the family as the flood waters entered their home. Yes, we have scars,those we do not hide. We are tougher and stronger, as Appalachia Rises once again. The following pages display photos and stories ofthose who did not make itthrough the flooding on July 28th. These are the sons, daughters, grandmothers, grandfathers, husbands, and wives, who perished in the darkness ofthe night; as muddy waters made their path of destruction through the Kentucky hills. This is a salute to the men and women who lived in the rural countryside of Appalachia. The people who are justlike us,those who went abouttheir daily lives; following their daily routine, until suddenly they were called from this life unto death. As you read the following stories, we ask that you consider each person shown. I am sure there will be a few who will cry, a few who will feel empty, but no matter how you feel, we ask that you pray forthe comfort forthose who had to bid farewellto theirloved ones. Forthose who remain missing, we pray forrecovery. We seek this so thatloved ones can experience closure in this horrible nightmare. It is with painstaking care thatteams continue their search forthose missing, scouring creek beds, hillsides, sand bars, and underthe debris. The crews work to close this chapterthat does not seem to end. The Appalachians: No Stranger to the Rain Faces of The Flood Those Who Lost the Battle Christine Roberts, 63,

David Campbell, 78, of Rowdy. He was found dead in his home Tommy Lynn Cornett, 61 Ruby Cundiff, 69, of Clayhole. Adam Combs, 75, and his wife Elizabeth Mae Combs, 71 Amy Henson, 40, of Lower River Caney Road. Helen Campbell, 82, of Hardshell died at home.

Joe Engle,the sheriff of Perry County, interrupted his search forflood victims over the weekend to bury a loved one of his own in Chavies, Ky. Sheriff Engle, who is a pastor, said that walking by faith,ratherthan by sight, would be the theme of his sermon because that was how his great-aunt, Nellie Mae Howard, had lived. During the storm, Ms. Howard sheltered at the home of her daughter, Patricia Collins, according to Angel Campbell, Ms. Collins’s daughter. But at around 1 a.m. on Thursday, Ms. Campbell saw a Facebook postfrom a cousin saying thatthe flood had submerged the enclave of homes where her mother lived. As the hours passed, she learned that her mother had been found and was alive. Her grandmother’s body was discovered Friday morning. Ms. Campbell said her mothertold herthat water had rushed into the living room, setting furniture and appliances afloat and eventually washing Ms. Collins and Ms. Howard out ofthe home. Ms. Collins became wedged up against a neighbor’s home, with loose lumber piled on top of her. Ittook nearly two hours for neighbors to dig her out, Ms. Campbell said. When a search party located Ms. Howard’s body, her grandson, Chris Collins, lifted her up, Ms. Campbell said. He checked for a pulse, knowing he would find none, and cleaned the mud from herface. Then, he waited with her for hours until a rescue boat arrived. Among Ms. Howard’s journals,the family said, were lyrics to a song by the Gaither Vocal Band carefully written in her handwriting: “When my eyes are closed in death with my Jesus I’ll be atrest. Then you’ll know I’m satisfied.” Nellie Mae Howard, 82 Carol Sue Miller, 71 James Miller, 73 The day before the flood hit, Ashley Collins turned 22 years old and had a video call with her adoptive parents, James and Carol Miller. Mr. Miller asked how his grandson was doing, baby-talking to Ms. Collins’s 4-month-old. Ms. Miller, 72, sang him “You Are My Sunshine,” a reference to new pajamas covered in suns she had bought him. The next day, as the skies opened, Ms. Collins learned that her mother had tried to carry her father outto their SUV in an attemptto escape the flooding butthat waterflooded the vehicle and carried it away. Bed-bound forthe past year after a botched back surgery, Mr. Miller could not move on his own, his daughter said. As of Sunday afternoon,the vehicle had not yet been found, nor had Ms. Miller. But Mr. Miller’s body had been found. “He was the best dad anyone could ask for,” Ms. Collins said. “He was constantly giving and had the biggest heart.” Both bodies has since been recovered. Gilla Ann Miller, 83, of Hardshell was found in her flooded home.

Rita Hall’s body was found inside the one-story house where she had lived for decades in Hindman, Ky., according to Curtis Hall, her son. Tiny and sociable, with a weakness for estate auctions and yard sales, Ms. Hall, who had epilepsy, often relied on a walker and a cane to get around, buttook pride in fending for herself after her grown children moved to Michigan, her son said. She was unmarried and lived alone. “She was such a loving person,” Mr. Hall said. “If you were leaving her house, she would always wantto know where were you going and ‘Can Iride with you?’ When I called, she was all, ‘Tellthe kids I love them.’ She was justthis short little pudgy woman who loved everyone.” All four ofthe Noble children were quiet and shy atfirst, butthe closerthey became to someone,the more they would talk, said Brandi Smith,their aunt, who confirmed their deaths afterthey were swept away from their parents in floodwaters in Knott County. Madison, 8, was the oldest. She loved teddy bears and playing with Barbies, and she had started to love going to school. Riley Jr., 6, could talk about dinosaurs all day and loved playing with cars. “They were the sweetest kids you could ever meet,” Ms. Smith said. Neveah, 4, would sing all day long. When she was not singing, Ms. Smith said, she would “talk your head off.” And Chance, who had justturned 2, was a “mommy’s boy” who loved his playtime. “They loved their mommy and daddy and they always wanted to be right with them,” Ms. Smith said. “I miss my sweetlittle nieces and nephews. I pray God helps me through this because I love and miss them so bad.” Rosie Vick, 55 Clockwise from top left, Madison, Riley Jr., Chance and Neveah Noble. Rosie Vick and her husband, Randall, were at home in Pine Top, Ky., when the storm hit, in the little creekside house they rented from his cousin on what had been the family homestead. Developmentally disabled, Ms. Vick was known in her husband’s family for herlively sense of humor and herfierce appetite for work. “She’d have a hillside weeded and the grass mowed off it before a man ever could,” said Ms. Gibson, the nurse practitioner whose husband owned the property where the couple lived. Ms. Vick worked occasional odd jobs to supplementtheir disability income. “And she was a little firecracker,” Ms. Gibson said. When the rains came, Ms. Gibson said, Ms. Vick was on the couch with her husband, sitting outthe storm in her shorts and a blue Kentucky Wildcats T-shirt, when she feltthe house move. “He told us he said, ‘Sit still a minute, I think you imagined that,’ and she said, ‘No, I didn’t,’” Ms. Gibson said. As the waterlifted the house from its foundation,the couple tried to hold the sliding glass door shut, butthe water burstin and carried them away. Mr. Vick “told us he went under every culvert and bridge, dog paddling, and could feel himself scraping the blacktop and going overrocks.” She said that he was eventually rescued by neighbors with ropes who waded into chest-high water to retrieve him, butthat his wife’s body was found some five miles away, buried in sand exceptfor one hand. Their wrecked home was found sideways on the other side ofthe creek. Betty Beaver, 76, and her son, Bobby Beaver, 46, of Knott County. Bobby’s son told the Courier Journalthattheir bodies had been recovered. Rita Hall, 78

Jeanette Johnson was days shy of her 66th birthday and farfrom family when her body was found inside herfamily homestead. A nephew, Michael Johnson, said thatrelatives had begged herfor years to leave the house, where she had grown up and which still had outdoor bathrooms. But she had insisted on staying, he said,reminding family that her church community regularly dropped off groceries and checked in on her, and, in any case,that she had a dozen cats to look after. She spoke to her brother each week on Sunday. And, her nephew recalled, she always had peanut butter cookies for him when he visited as a child. Mr. Johnson said the family believed she was asleep when the flood trapped her. To think otherwise, he said, would be “terrifying.” Betty Estep, 67 Diana Amburgey, 65 I don’t know how to even begin to process it. How do other people deal with something like this?” It was nearly 2 a.m. Thursday when Robin Shepherd got a call from her mother, Diana Amburgey, who was 15 miles away in Hindman, Ky. “She said she could hearthe walls popping off but couldn’t see anything because the lights had gone out,” Ms. Shepherd said. Ms. Shepherd called 911, “butthey kept saying they didn’t have any boats and couldn’t getto her.” A half-hourlater, her mother called again. The water was up to window-level now. “Itold her, ‘Hang on to something that can float,’ but she was so scared,” Ms. Shepherd said. Unable to swim, her mother had never before ventured into water that was more than knee-deep. Frantic, Ms. Shepherd drove to Hindman, peering helplessly from an overpass while friends climbed down into the flood zone, looking for her mother’s trailer. It was gone: The water had washed it away, leaving only bits and pieces. Ms. Amburgey’s body was found some five hours later aboutfour miles away. She had been a mother who spoke to her daughter every day, a Baptist, a doting grandmother and greatgrandmother, an inveterate maker of peanut butterfudge and, her daughter said, “the lady who worked atthe gas station.” Three generations of family members had been scheduled to leave on Saturday for a vacation to Clearwater, Fla. “She was so excited,” her daughter said. “Why does someone have to go like that, in a way that was so scary to them? She was begging for help and I couldn’t help her. Jeanette Johnson, 65 Hours before the flood, Misty Baker had video messaged her mother, Betty Jean Estep, sharing images of Ms. Estep’s great-granddaughter. “She said, ‘I love you and I’lltalk to you in the morning — I hope,’” Ms. Baker said. As the waterrose, Ms. Estep tried to run for herlife after a storage shed broke loose from its moorings and slammed hard into the side of her trailer, a giftfrom her boyfriend of 17 years, Ronnie Holcomb. He knew he was going to fall in love with her when she walked into his antique store, he said in an interview. They had grown together overthe years, living togetherfor a while, but Ms. Estep,twice divorced, wanted space; he bought herthe trailerto honor her wishes and moved himself to a place in Tennessee. They talked multiple times a day and visited often. She wore an engagementring he had given her, but she reminded him, in a teasing way,thatthey were not married. Betty Estepp

She let me know,though,thatI wasn’t the kingpin,” Mr. Holcomb said. “But we were there for each other.” At a visitation overthe weekend, her family sat on the porch of Letcher Funeral Home and told stories of her incredible cooking. She didn’tjust make dinners; she made feasts and poured helping upon helping on their plates. Relatives mentioned her delicious soup beans (a mountain dish), apple cake and a host of other dishes. One relative, Michelle Skiles, called her “the most cookingest woman” anyone had ever known. Ms. Estep was afraid oftwo things: spiders and high water. “It’s high waterthat was the culpritin the end,” Mr. Holcomb said. Eva Nicole "Nikki" Slone was "a very well-liked person in Pippa Passes," Jessica Brown,the daughter of her boyfriend, said. Brown told The Courier Journalthat Slone died after venturing outto check on a woman she would take care of. "Her body was found about1.5 miles at Alice Lloyd College from where her car was found," Jessica Brown said. "They believed she had got out of her car and tried to walk home." Eva Nicole "Nikki" Slone, 50 Hensley,the father of five, had just finished his shift at coal mines in Perry County early Thursday morning when he began making his way home. Butthe rising waters quickly made his usualreturn route impassable, his wife said. He instead took an alternative route, which led him to the scene of an accident. The driver of a fourwheeler was injured after floodwaters spun him off his vehicle, Hensley told his wife on the phone. A 17-year-old swam out of her flooded home with her dog and waited for hours on a roofto be rescued "All(Hensley) could say is 'he's bleeding, he's bleeding,'" Macy said. Without second thought, Hensley drove to his brother-in-law's house, which was nearby,to ask for help forthe wounded driver. But when the two went back,they couldn'tfind him despite a lengthy search, Chase Williams, Hensley's brother-in-law said. They decided to help get Hensley home safely, Williams said. Hensley would drive them as far down the road -- and as close to home -- as possible, and then, Hensley would walk to the other side of some hills, where a friend was waiting to take him home to his family. The brother-in-law would take Hensley's truck back to his home for safekeeping. "We got down the road a little bit butin a matter of minutes the waterrose up enough where it picked up the truck and took us both into the creek," Williams said. Williams escaped through the passenger door, using a tree to lift himself and make it up to the creek's bank, where he was able to use his phone's flashlightto begin signaling for help. Hensley disappeared after his red truck was swept away by flood waters. Neighbors who saw the flash responded and the group began searching for Hensley. "We looked for Gabe for a very long time that night but we could neverfind him," Williams said. Hensley's body was discovered Sunday. The children he leaves behind include a 10-week-old son. "He was a family man," his wife said. "No matterthe storm. No matter how bad it got. He just wanted to get home to his home and family." Gabriel Hensley, 30

Aaron Mich Crawford, age 18 Clarence Sturgill, 79, & wife Jewel Sturgill, 65 60 year old Vanessa Baker Nancy Cundiff, 29 Walter Hinkle, 76, Johnathan Larry Hunter age 51 Brenda Webb, 81 Gary Combs, 61,

...America's Biggest Joke... providing no hope for the hopeless America is one ofthe richest countries in the world. Itis capable of passing trillion dollar budgets. It has a strong military; making it one ofthe most powerful countries on the planet. The wealth contained within the country is massive on a global scale. The United States sends trillions of dollars outside of its borders to foreign countries to assistin wars and other humanitarian needs. In fact, some parts ofthe country are spending upwards of $400 nightly to house illegal immigrants. The same day that the President of the United States, visited the flood zone, he dedicated billions of dollars of reliefto Ukrain. ..America: a land by the people, forthe people, failing the people. Often during disasters,the people located within the disaster area somehow feelthat FEMA will come in and save the day. Though many seek those who willride in on white horses with capes on their back to save them, they are often left disappointed as they have been during the historic flooding of Eastern Kentucky. During these times, little regard are given to the people with whom FEMA must work with. In Eastern Kentucky, the people are different. They seldom understand outside dialect. Many others are uneducated, with a high illiteracy rate. As FEMA floods into the area by the hundreds in their mobile stations equipped with the luxuries of home, averaging $40 per hour, as stated by the some ofthe representatives, those residents seeking help often face language and educational barriers that make it hard to communicate with outsiders. In many cases,they are given low ball offers, and in other cases are left denied, which is a vicious cycle of apply, deny,reapply,redeny. During the interview, often at an empty slab where their homes once sat, people are asked for documents such as deeds, licenses, birth certificates, and social security cards. The people are left bewildered, as they know that allthose records washed away with their homes. Mostfolks who apply will be denied and asked to reapply. This reapplication can take place via internet online. A internetis a luxury that many Appalachians do not have access to. This is especially true of the older population who barely carry a cellphone. In many cases,the red tape creates a feeling of despair and the people simply give up. This seems to be the goal. The cycle is apply, deny,reapply, deny itis repeated over and over. During a recent community visit, we spoke with one lady who has applied and been denied 5 times. Her mobile home was washed a mile down the holler, and is now scattered in pieces among trees. Coal companies came and raped the land,took the minerals from the people, so that America could fuel her prosperity, but now thatthe war on coal has been waged,these people and places have been forgotten. The true heroes are the miners who helped build this country with the sweat oftheir brow and coal dustin theirlungs. Itis time America stands up and takes notice. FEMA please stop letting us down as everyone else have done. Itis evident,this woman needs help as she and her children reside in a tent a month afterthe waters have gone. The Appalachians have worked hard and been mistreated.

Meet Brandon Mullins and his Uncle Raymond Holbrook. In the past,they lived on 542 in a single wide trailer. Today,they are squatting on borrowed land, living in a tent. This follows the historic flooding that devastated Eastern Kentucky on July 28th. Brandon is 25 years old. The only work experience he has known all of his life is odd jobs that he picks up for cash pay. These are the hard jobs thatis obtained in the rural areas, and is usually brute force labor. Brandon explains how he once worked sawing wood, his payment was that he gotto keep some ofthe wood to heat his own home. It was during this time,thatlifting the heavy logs caused him to go in for surgery on a hernia that he developed. Brandon never claims to be a scholar, he actually says thatin high school, thatin the four years,that he may have attended only one year all together, but was allowed to graduate. The lack of education and lack of a driver's license limits Brandon's options. A few years ago, Brandon moved in with his Uncle Raymond, who was left physically challenged following an ATV accident. Brandon was living with and caring for Raymond the nightthe rains began. About 4AM, Brandon sensed that something was wrong, and surmised that allthe rain would cause Quicksand Creek to rise. Upon looking out, Brandon realized that he and his uncle were in trouble once he saw the sea ofrushing water that surrounded the trailer. Without hesitation, Brandon grabbed his uncle from the bed, and proceeded to carry him to higher ground. It was just a shorttime later, thatthe water continued to rush into the home. Waterreached levels nearly 7 feetinside the home, destroying every earthly possession thatthe two shared. Brandon and his uncle spenttwo nights sleeping on the wet blacktop on the road in front oftheir house in orderto stay out of harms way from the flood waters thatravaged their holler. Now, Brandon and Raymond live in two tents donated by relief. Convoys of supplies pass them each day, and they take care to gatherthe things they need. Raymond has killed a copperhead snake that was lurking close to his tent one night, and they hearthe packs of coyote barking on the hillsides. Life is uncertain for these men. FEMA has settled with a $6,000 check. That covers their trailer and contents. Winteris coming and they know they mustfind permanent shelter soon. Time is nottheirfriend. Water Reaches 7 Foot in the Trailer Interior Destruction Brandon Mullins & Raymond Holbrook Another FEMA Failure. The home with a copy of the FEMA Payout. FEMA

Meet Rachael Fugate and her son Carl Jr. of 545 in Breathitt County. Their home sat on the banks ofthe Quicksand Creek. Rachael feared during the evening thatthey may have trouble with the waterin the creek out back. She had stayed up late watching the water levels and finally she told Carl Jr.that they had better get some sleep. Carl took respite in his room atthe back ofthe home, while Rachael fell asleep on the couch. Notlong afterfalling asleep, Carl woke Rachael, screaming thatthey had to get out ofthe house,thatthe water was around the house. In fact, the water was already entering the back portion ofthe house. Rachael drug Carlto the porch, as the muddy waters lapped atthe porch boards. Carl, being afraid ofthe water, was reluctantto enterthe muddy water, however, Rachael worked with Carl and got him into the water, pulling him toward higher ground. Rachael, fearing forthe pets that she left behind, grabbed a backpack and reentered the home to bring out her dogs. While placing the puppies in the backpack, he dropped her cane, and proceeded through the dark, waterlogged dwelling, and as she neared the porch, she fell face forward. Fearing that she had drowned her puppies, Rachael began crying and fighting the water. As she made her way to higher ground, Carl assured herthatthe dogs had not drowned as she had fallen forward into the water and not backward. Rachael and Carl both suffer health issues. They have spent nearly three weeks living in a tent, while Carl, slept on a mattress thrown on the front porch and covered with a tarp. On this rainy morning, we find Rachel sitting on the front porch of a friend's home where she and Carl have been invited to stay. She had justfound outthatthe social security ofthe individuals of whom she is staying with have informed the residents that she and Carl can not stay there any longer. She thinks that she and Carl will move back to the tent and the front porch. FEMA has settled with Rachael. She willreceive $14,016.64 in assistance to cover everything that she had in life. The adjuster said she could spend $8,900 to remodelthe house back to a livable state with code roofing, flooring, electrical, and hot water heaters. The contractors say thatit willtake triple thatto repair this home. They have given her $3,900 for her and Carl's personal belongings, and $1,393 fortwo months housing. She has been asked severaltimes to upload documents and to show the pictures that she took during the flood. Those pictures were on a submerged tabletthat no longer works. Rachael & Carl Fugate Black Mold Filling the House Rachael's Tent She has Slept in for the past 3 weeks Inside of the home left destroyed after water from the Quicksand Creek entered the dwelling on July 28th. FEMA

The roar of South Fork in the night awoke the family of 5 from their sleep. Rocks,trees, and debris from upstream rolling down through their camp. Kenneth Hunt and his girlfriend April Prater quickly aroused their 14 year old son, Anthony Prater, and the two grandchildren that were staying with the family, ages 7 and 8. As the family got out ofthe camper,the water was already raging through the campsite. Kenneth and April had ben experiencing a hard time financially long before this night. They had moved a 20ft camperinto this spot of land located on South Fork where they raised their son and often theirtwo grandchildren. As they evacuated, a building located upstream came down and lodged in the trees near their camper. The family being financially strapped had no other option butto move back into the camper with the kids. Soon black mold began to overtake the camper and April knew thatit was time to move the kids out. On a convey through the valley, she acquired tents for them. April's humble spirittouched the hearts ofthose who stopped. When folks asked herif she needed anything, she would look around and then say, "no, I guess we are allright." Those are humble words for someone who is raising her children in tents with no home to speak of. April had fought and fought with FEMA. She had been denied severaltimes, and was about FEMA to give up when she was informed that she had been approved. FEMA had issued her a settlement of $3, 156.56 cents for everything that she had lost. In this case it was everything that she owned. It was during this time that a group of volunteers from the Laurel Bluff Baptist church of Kingston, Tennessee came through speaking with the flood victims. As the group met with Aprilthey feltthe compassion on this small woman in stature that had such a great burden on her shoulders. Afterthe group surveyed the damage,they realized thatthe family needed immediate action. Following the the work project ofthe group thatinvolved the dry wall mudding at one home, and electrical and construction work at Back Memorial Chapel,the group departed for the trip back home. With their hearts burdened for April and herfamily,the men and women brainstormed ideas of how to help the situation. It had notlooked promising for herto receive money enough to rebuild, and winter was coming. Once the group got back to Tennessee,the Lord made a way forthe group to acquire a camperfor April and herfamily. Word was sentto ask ifthe camper gift would be welcomed. It was with tears of joy that Aprilthanked God and the pastor, Cal Adams forthe giftthat would save herfamily. Laurel Bluff Baptist Church Mission Outreach Love Put to Action

Christians and Good Folks Answerthe Call- We Are Not Alone In moments of despair,the feelings of loneliness creeps in. Those left suffering, feel like they have no one to turn to. This myth was dispelled quickly as the news broadcastthe flooding. Soon, folks from all over, poured in- from neighbors to far distant states. Those suffering loss soon found a stranger's shoulderto cy on. Groups from Tennessee, Ohio, North Carolina, Salt Lake City Utah, and Albany Wisconsin have poured in donations to assist with the flood cleanup and to deliver supplies. I am sure we have missed so many in the listing ofthese states, and if we have notrecognized you by name, know that you are considered angels sentto ministerto those who need you. A recent visitfrom a workgroup from Laurel Bluff Baptist church brought supplies, and then amassed a group to visit overthe long Labor Day weekend whereas they completed work on a house and church. Upon arrival back in Tennessee,they purchased a camperfor a woman and herthree children who were living in a tent. They are also looking for other means of housing forthose left homeless by the floods. Fine folks have come to Breathitt and Magoffin County pulling horse and cattle trailers full of supplies to help those flooded. Food has been supplied by God's Food Pantry, and individuals. This is a picture of Ms. Edith Hochstetterfrom Albany Wisconsin. She and her husband Richard Hochstetter had adopted the Appalachian Mountains and its people. They are frequent missionaries to the area. Once they heard of the disaster, both Edith and Richard, in their 80's, loaded theirtruck and U-Haul, and came to Kentucky to render assistance. They traveled in the convoys and spenttime with the people in the communities. Ms. Edith, who is especially compassionate with the children, came bearing toys, and was greeted with smiles from those who had lost sit all in the flood. Mission Opportunity The Lakefront Outreach and WaterInto Wine is offering organizations who come into the area to assistin the rebuilding process, housing and accommodations for upwards of 20 people. Ourfacilities are equipped with bunk beds,rooms are climate controlled. Ourfacilities have shower and laundry available, along with kitchen and dinning rooms facilities. Overnight parking is also available for vehicles. We also offer a couple of locations for those mission groups who may wish to bring campers along. If you are interested in a block oftime to bring a group into the mission fields, please call us at 606-331-9681. All groups are offered this free of charge. Groups will be responsible for providing group meals during their stay. We are located at 5083 Middle Fork Rd, Salyersville, Kentucky. Missions change lives forever. Be part of something life changing for ages to Wilks Ministry of Hope Unloading come. Supplies at Rousseau KY Isaiah 54:11 - O thou afflicted, tossed with tempest, and not comforted, behold, I will lay thy stones with fair colours, and lay thy foundations with sapphires.

Volunteer Fire Departments are Heroes When the rains came in Breathitt County, they came fast and furious. People were left to flee to the the hills to escape the rising waters. Rousseau Fire Chief Greg Wilson knew his community was in trouble as the waters surrounded his home. Word began to trickle in that there were folks trapped. He also was dealing with his grandmother who was trapped across the flood waters. Elderly and ill, she was floated from her home on a deep freezer lid to higher ground. Greg instantly began working rescue avenues to bring help to his remote community of Rousseau. The Fire Department had recently received a grant and had built a community building on the site of their future firehouse. Although the building was only 75% complete, it was spared the flooding, Gregg immediately opened its doors to the community and made a command center. Days passed and the only relief supplies that he was able to gather from Jackson, the county seat, was a couple of cases of drinking water. The problem was that all of the supplies were piling up in the town district for people to come in and get, however the fact that many had lost their vehicles in the disaster and no longer had viable transportation was never considered. Gregg knew that supplies were needed in the remote hollers, with washed out The convoys consisted of a lead rescue vehicle, followed by pick-up trucks and trailers filled with emergency supplies. A makeshift mobile kitchen was placed on a flatbed trailer to serve hot meals in the communities. The convoys traveled each road, flanked with side by sides to transverse the narrow mud filled hollers closed by flooding. Meanwhile, for those who could travel, the fire house community building was open and stocked with supplies that local residents could come and pick up. The map to the left shows the routes convoyed. The communities of Rosseau, 545, South Fork, Caney, Claypool, and Lost Creek were served with the mobile services. To date, Rousseau Fire Department has distributed to 566 families. They have delivered supplies for 27 days and did a 13 truck and U-Haul trailer convoy. The department has distributed 4,000 meals. The community building has been opened 35 days with social media as the main contact outreach. This has been all accomplished on a budget that is funded through fundraisers. The accounts are nearing depletion due to fuel costs, utilities, and etc. created by the flood. If you would like to contribute financially to these relief efforts call Chief Greg Wilson at 606-568-7178 roads and bridges. He immediately began working with Water Into Wine Food Pantry and Middle Fork Fire Department to set up supply lines from Magoffin County to the East Side of Breathitt County. Help began arriving in the form of supplies and food from Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, Ohio, Michigan, and as far away as Utah. With the assistance of Middle Fork Fire Department, they established Humanitarian Relief Convoys.

These old biases have also resulted in concerns thatresidents will not get the aid thatthey deserve. On Aug. 9, Kentucky Gov. Andrew Beshear blasted reports thatthe Federal Emergency Management Agency was denying claims for Eastern Kentucky flood victims. “Let me say to people applying for disaster assistance: No. 1, do not give up,” Beshear says. “No. 2, if you’re denied, go and look these people in the eye. Local politicians have highlighted that some payouts are just a few thousand dollars—fartoo little to rebuild and replace a lifetime worth of belongings. Moving forward Wise, Eckles, Bolen and Stewart were all born and raised in Eastern Kentucky and it’s where they intend to stay. They agree thatit’s going to take creativity to adaptto the evolving environment of 21stcentury Appalachia. “Intuitively, I would say, you’re probably asking fortrouble if you’re gonna stay there ifthese types of storms are going to become more and more frequent, but atthe same time,there’s a real sense of place,” says Barton. “With thatthoughtin mind, you really do wantto look and see what alternatives there are; Differenttypes of housing, can you move them up the side ofthe mountain just a little bit.” Old stereotypes resurface after flooding Many residents ofthe region also said thatthey have had to deal with intensely negative messages across social media criticizing Appalachians following the floods. The commentary is rooted in misconceptions aboutflood patterns in the region, and a lack of understanding thatthe flooding has gotten worse. “For people saying that we need to move out; ‘Why would we live somewhere where this stuff happens?’ We didn’t know this was gonna happen,” says Bolen. “People wentto bed that night not knowing what was going to happen and a lot of people never woke up from their sleep because their houses literally washed down the road.” Political affiliations have prompted similar hate speech. Eckles talks about how internettrolls express a victim-blaming mentality against conservative-voting flood victims. The region voted heavily in favor of President Donald Trump in 2016 and 2020—with up to 90% ofresidents supporting him. “[The flood] didn’t stop at someone’s house and ask who they voted for,” says Eckles. “It didn’tlook attheir ballot before it flooded their home.” Wise mentioned a cartoon depicting the flooding published in the Lexington Herald-Leader, captioned, “When itrains, itrains on the poor,” that people in her community found offensive. Wise pointed outthat even throughout Kentucky, Eastern Kentucky has a distinctreputation plagued with stereotypes. Many Appalachians cherish a "family bible," a book recording details aboutthe family lineage going back generations. Bolen's family dries outtheirs afterit was ruined by the flood, Knott County, Kentucky, July 29, 2022. Shared by Lakyn Bolen The Kentuckians explained that people may disagree with their choice to rebuild and stay somewhere becoming increasingly dangerous, butthat every landscape is changing and they are incredibly capable of adapting to stay in one ofthe most special places in the world. “The people of Appalachia are very resilient and we will overcome it,” says Bolen. “I have no doubtin my mind that we’ll just come back betterthan we were.” 45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. Matthew 5:45

These are the folks that need your help. It is the children of Appalachia. It is the folks who are left homeless and hopeless. It is the elderly who have seen everything gathered in their lifetime float away. We have a place for you in Appalachia to help. Your monetary donations will keep food on the table, and gas in the vehicles and to keep hope on the move. Three organizations can use your assistance. Call today to make your pledge. 100% of your gifts will go towards making the sun rise again. Lakefront Outreach Ministries 606-349-6301 Rousseau VFD 606-606-568-7178 Middle Fork VFD 606-207-6463 All Three Agencies are 501c3 and tax deductible for your contributions