The Power of Water

Christian Appalachian Project Responds to Flooding in Johnson County

By Carol Stringer

For weeks we watched the sky each afternoon as the clouds rolled in and dumped unwanted rain on an already saturated earth. Gardeners everywhere gave up on vegetables and flowers; yards were overgrown with a lush but unmanageable carpet of grass; our lakes, rivers, and streams were at record highs, pushing massive volumes of muddy water through their courses.

It was puzzling how common the thunderstorms became and how quickly we got used to them. Flash flood warnings started to feel mundane. Every day we continued to imagine a “normal” July (whatever that is for Kentucky), with clear skies and high heat.

But water will not be ignored, and when it rains, it pours.

It was on a Tuesday when we learned of the incredible flooding that had happened the previous evening in Johnson County, Ky. The destruction left behind in the wake of the torrent was difficult to believe, let alone comprehend. Cars overturned and washed into groves of trees; large houses swept off their foundations; mobile homes perched on top of cars and other debris — and these scenes were just the tip of the iceberg. The destructive hand of the floodwaters had ruined everything it touched, coating it with a reeking film of silt and sand. The filth was incredible; the destruction, intangible. The water had crumpled mobile homes like accordions, toppled trees, and eroded asphalt. The earth itself was the most telling, with entire hillsides washed away and creek beds sculpted into entirely new forms.

The flash flood happened suddenly, with little warning or precedent to suggest the severity of the situation. Many had been caught in the cross-hairs of the sweeping water before they even knew it was there. Later, after analyzing the situation, many suggested that up on the mountain a downed tree or debris had caused a blockage that ultimately gave way under pressure and dowsed the lower valley in one swift moving gush. The wave of water caused lightning-fast and insanely forceful destruction and claimed the lives of four individuals unable to escape.

The very geography of Appalachia lends itself to severe floods. With steep ravines, narrow valleys, abundant waterways, and rugged, mountainous terrain, it is easy to see how a swift storm can quickly cause damage. When water rushes down from the mountains and is funneled into the valleys with nowhere for the torrent to go, the valleys often fill faster than an open flood plain.

Along with others, CAP’s Disaster Relief Program was ready to respond as part of the disaster cleanup almost immediately, but was prevented from entering the area because of dangerous conditions and the ongoing work of first responders. Eventually, they began to allow CAP’s relief crews and other volunteers into Flat Gap. The destruction was evident at every turn. The gullies and creeks remained full of water opaque with mud and choked with debris; although they had receded from their initial heights, their former power was obvious.

One elderly woman whom we helped lost everything in her basement and her entire vegetable garden (any produce touched by the flood water is potentially contaminated by bacteria). In her basement, the floodwaters reached over five feet, causing her to lose a whole shelf of food she had already canned. That may not seem like much, but many people in Appalachia, especially the elderly, depend on gardens and canning for food throughout the year.

For some residents, the water had been little more than a nuisance, trickling into basements or ruining yards. Others lost everything. Closets of clothing ruined; entire pantries of food spoiled; houses and livelihoods washed away. Despite their incredible loss, no one had forgotten how the waters rose around them in their own homes, swirling their possessions and forcing them to flee. No one had forgotten that they were lucky to be alive.

A donation center was established in a local shopping center in order to provide community members access to essential items. Christian Appalachian Project, alongside other local nonprofit agencies, such as “All Hands,” provided critical relief to the victims of the disaster. Everyone was anxious to return to their normal lives and desperate to get the basic supplies they needed to do so. In addition to donating two semi-loads of clean water to the community, CAP and CAP volunteers worked tirelessly to sort and organize food, clothing, linens, cleaning supplies, and other emergency goods. The donation center was a godsend for community members who had been affected by the storms. People were grateful to receive the food, supplies, and bottles of water they so desperately needed.

Some homes had been without running water or electricity since the onset of the flood, nearly a week before. Food stored in refrigerators and freezers had spoiled by the time power came back on. Losing that amount of food would have been a devestating blow at any time, but in light of the situation it only compounded the woes of the people affected by the water.

The community of Flat Gap and nearby Paintsville, Ky. were dispirited by the damage brought by the flash flood and brokenhearted at the loss of four community members. Despite this incredible tragedy, one could witness incredible solidarity among both victims and volunteers as they worked together to reconstruct a sense of normalcy for the community of Flat Gap. As CAP volunteers moved door to door searching for anyone who needed help, there were frequently-heard requests to visit friends, family, and neighbors who had a more dire need. The selfless nature of the people, and the way different charities responding to the disaster wove their services together, united all with a common goal of getting things done for the people.

The community remained strong during these difficult times and was appreciative to have support from nonprofits, churches, and locals who wanted to help expedite the cleanup. As a longtime nonprofit with an established local presence, CAP was poised to be one of the most effective responders to the situation. During that first week, CAP crews were able to complete nearly 10 relief projects, and in the days, weeks, and months that followed, CAP has completed many, many more. Through CAP’s efforts, alongside other local agencies, the clean-up process was swift for many families, and they were able to get back on track with their normal lives.

From those first raindrops falling from the sky to the bottles of clean water placed in the hands of victims, the power of water remains strong. CAP remains present for the residents of Flat Gap for the long term. Once the disaster relief efforts have been completed, other CAP programs, such as Family Life Counseling, will help share the emotional burden of this tragedy until the cycle of healing is complete for the residents of Johnson County.