Hope Is Here

BY BRIANNA STEPHENS

Children, their families, and seniors in Eastern Kentucky are facing the impact of another disaster. In February, an unprecedented flash-flooding event put the entire state of Kentucky under a state of emergency. For people in the eastern part of the state who faced the 2022 floods, ongoing recovery efforts were thwarted, forcing them to start over again. When disaster strikes, Christian Appalachian Project (CAP) is there to restore hope.

“We are neighbors helping neighbors,” said Robyn Renner, director of CAP's Disaster Relief program. “We are heartbroken for the devastation we see all around. CAP’s Disaster Relief program will stand alongside people in need in Appalachia in the days and weeks to come.”

Immediately following the flooding, extreme cold set in and up to 6 inches of snow fell in parts of Eastern Kentucky, bringing more challenges to the area. CAP programs persevered and came together to coordinate a response to meet the needs of flood survivors.

In less than a week following the flood, Operation Sharing received and redistributed nearly two dozen tractortrailer loads of essential items to impacted areas and hand delivered 300 generators to communities in Perry and Clay Counties. The Salvation Army of Hazard/Perry County is an Operation Sharing partner that receives the loads and distributes the items to people in need.

When flooding impacts rural communities, roads can become impassible, making navigation difficult. The Salvation Army partnered with Kentucky Fish and Wildlife to deliver hot meals and essential items from Operation Sharing by boat to families living around Buckhorn Lake. After the flood, residents were stranded in their homes — some for up to three weeks — until the lake receded.

“This disaster has been a hard one,” said Melissa Miller, chair of The Salvation Army of Hazard/Perry County. She is a flood survivor herself and had to be picked up at her home by boat to go to the Salvation Army Center to help others. “It happened quick, and most people were not prepared. People desperately need groceries, drinks, and whatever we can get to them. With the help of Christian Appalachian Project, Kentucky Fish and Wildlife, and the Disaster Salvation Army Unit, we’ll get those delivered.”

Many of CAP’s employees and volunteers live in the impacted areas alongside the people we serve. When the Disaster Relief program began home assessments and muck outs, employees and volunteers began work on the Lafferty family home.

The home belongs to the parents of Ed Lafferty, CAP’s IT coordinator. His parents had lived in the home for five years and had never seen water come higher than the bottom step of their porch. When the flash flooding happened, they saw the water rise past the seven steps leading up to their porch and 18 inches into their living space. In the home behind them lived Lafferty’s sister and brother-in-law, who saw 5 feet of water in their home. Members of both households escaped the rising waters in a jon boat.

“I’m thankful they’re safe,” Lafferty said. “My parents worked hard their whole lives. A lot of their livelihood is gone now. I’m thankful CAP has been able to be part of their recovery.”

CAP employees are also thankful to be able to help one of their own. “It’s a blessing to be the hands and feet of Christ,” said Mark Cable, CAP’s Home Repair manager for Rockcastle and McCreary Counties, who helped work on the Lafferty home.

“There's no discrimination between poverty and wealth when it comes to a disaster. Being in Appalachia, there are a lot of impoverished areas, and when one event comes through and takes everything away from someone, they may not have the financial means to start over,” he added. “The support we receive from donors is a huge step in helping people in disasters. There is a sense of pride that a lot of people won’t ask for help. It’s a last resort to ask for it. By CAP being able to provide that help, it gives them hope that there are people who care for them.”

CAP is asking for financial donations and volunteers to help meet the immediate and long-term needs of families recovering from flooding. To volunteer, email volunteermanagement@chrisapp.org. If you wish to support CAP’s efforts to provide flood relief, please visit our website at christianapp.org/reliefnow and follow us on social media for updates about CAP’s response.