Overnight rains bring catastrophic flooding to eastern Kentucky
Late into the night on July 27, pouring rains triggered severe flooding across eastern Kentucky. Entire homes were destroyed and multiple people lost their lives. Some families were trapped on their rooftops as washed out or impassable roads and bridges left areas isolated and cut-off from support. Adding to this increasingly difficult situation, lines of communication were down, thousands were without power, and clean water was scarce.
Mobilizing WCK chefs and logistics experts, we arrived shortly after, spreading our team across the impacted areas. Following fresh meal and water distribution, we partnered with the LEE Initiative to establish farmers markets across four hard-hit counties.
Experts believe the climate crisis is supercharging rainfall around the world. As temperatures rise, the atmosphere can hold more moisture that can lead to more rainfall and make record-breaking downpours more common. Many areas in the US like Kentucky were being affected by prolonged monsoonal and Gulf of Mexico moisture.
Chefs For Kentucky
WCK joins the local community working around the clock to cook for Kentuckians in need
WCK chefs quickly ramped up our support, preparing thousands of plates of food like Appalachian soup beans with onions and cornbread. We set up distribution sites in hard-hit communities and delivered door-to-door to people unable to leave their homes.
Kim & Kristi
Kim & Kristi usually use the Rosie the Readiness bus to bring books & supplies to children in the most remote hollers of eastern Kentucky—now, they’re filling it up with hot, fresh WCK meals & water for families impacted by the flood.
Betty
“Jesus! Get me to my grand babies’ house!”Betty was awoken by the floods and as she tried to swim out of her home with her kitten, slipped & fell. She was unable to find her kitten but escaped. When the water receded, Betty’s kitten safely found its way home.
Nancy
Nancy & her family live along a creek. A small bridge connects them to the main road. As flood waters rose, Nancy grabbed her pets and went for higher ground before hearing the crash of her neighbor’s car into the bridge, cutting off the family’s access out.
