East Kentucky Flood | Full Documentary

"East Kentucky Flood" tells the story of the July 2022 flood from the perspectives of some of the people who endured it. The storm killed 45 people and displaced thousands, upending lives in some of the most economically distressed counties in America.
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The stories in “East Kentucky Flood” include the life-saving actions of a firefighter in Whitesburg and the rebuilding of a longstanding grocery store in Letcher County. They reveal not just what happened July 2022, but what lies ahead for communities across East Kentucky.
#appalachia #kentucky #flood

[@rikkipowers3921]

Love the drunk angels. I love the showing of humanity. Wonderful documentary. Thank you.

[@chadharding2338]

Southern Indiana SXS and Great White smoke food truck went to Hindman and cooked over 2000 "free" meals for the workers and people affected by the flood, and a week later we collected a 53' semi of supplies and sent down, churches, and groups from all over started rolling in as we were leaving 2 days later. It was very inspiring and heart breaking to see the love being shown

[@kentuckypride3802]

Thanks for all the help you all gave. I’m from Knott County

[@robertscottplacier4948]

I was deeply moved by the quality of the production, and of the dignity and determination of these people to come back from such devastation.

[@allisonwyatt5508]

I live in Jenkins KY and helped distribute supplies at the high school. The donations and the volunteers were so generous and helpful. The government didn’t/isn’t doing much. But the people coming from all over the USA rly made me believe in humans again. I met a mother from CA that loaded up, with no place to stay, and flew here to help. Gwen is THE BEST. And just FYI, makes the best banana pudding EVER. Angie Hatton was one of the few political leaders that helped day in and day out. Proud to be from eastern KY.

[@heatherfulmore3412]

I hope that they get good drainage in their neighborhoods soon.

[@ihavefallenandicantreachmy2113]

Bananas make my Butt drain good, in case i forget.

[@halbud]

May God bless the great people of Eastern Kentucky,From Carolina ,Welove you !!

[@t.d.coffey6451]

Hearing the voices of the people sharing their own experiences is powerful and moving. These are extraordinary people living in an extraordinary place making this a compelling and important documentary

[@WarriorCall]

I'm so thankful that this video was made. And I'm very very pleased with the editing of it. (I know that takes a lot of time, skill and effort. My home was completely destroyed as well. We purchased a really nice home by the grace of God. And we have tried to help so many at our church, New Freedom Worship Center in Jenkins. But there are still so so many that are in need.

[@deirdrepasko9965]

What do people need? Is there any place folks can send donations to?

[@WarriorCall]

@Deirdre Pasko We have a Food Pantry at our church. We have received donations there. If it is monetary, then we have only received checks through the mail. I'm not sure of who is receiving anything other form. But I could find out.

[@laurasexton7450]

My son just got home from spending a week of rebuilding homes in Hindman.

[@waytoson]

I would love a follow up video.. how are people now? Did IGA open on time? Were people able to get into homes? Prayers for this community as it shows the strength it has to come back.

[@harpintn]

Thank you for putting some human faces to that tragedy.

[@lovegodlovefreedom2535]

A resilient people…survive and rebuild! God bless them!

[@billyboy861]

Yep crack heads won't die they are pretty resilient aren't they but they won't rebuild because you can't have materials for a job without a crack head coming along and stealing them in eastern KY

[@eric09laura]

I live in Harlan Co and we delivered supplies to Whitesburg the following Saturday. I was flooded in 16 and lost just about everything and Bevin denied me help. It will take me another 10 years to recover.

[@lindaregister6555]

We served in Jenkins and Neon with Georgia Baptist Disaster Relief in August following the flood. We were honored and blessed to serve these precious people.

[@markturner2606]

I love Eastern Kentucky

[@OutlawChevy2]

We have lived through two recent tragic floods here in Midland Michigan. Our house was under 6 feet of water in 2017 and then when the dams broke in 2020 during Covid. I feel for the Kentucky people. God Bless!

[@BL-no7jp]

Thank you so much for following up on this disastrous flood. I have kin folk who live in the affected areas of the flood. It truly touched my soul when those who lost everything were out there rescuing others and still had the strength to continue to help others. They also did their part to keep the death toll down. These people should never feel guilt for outside help.. We live in America! Every worker in the disaster zone paid their taxes and that’s where the money came from. It was already paid for. Please let that sink in!

[@kaythegardener]

The Feds are willing to help, but it seems that the State is a major roadblock in making things better...

[@BL-no7jp]

@@kaythegardener we can only hope and pray the roadblocks to recovery will soon be lifted. The last I heard about the conditions before last winter, folks were still living in tents. It’s heartbreaking after everything these people went through.

[@shawnalsip2210]

As an eastern Kentucky resident we help each other I love it even in western Kentucky tornadoes we come together it’s amazing TEAM KENTUCKY

[@merlinemcallister3756]

We,as Americans, have alway come together in times of disasters and needs helping our fellow man regardless,especially,in small communities.Southern hospitality can't be beat.

[@angelacampbell8737]

I am from Tennessee and I have always loved Kentucky and hope to finally get to move there soon. I LOVE Kentucky people. They are the best.

[@mcclaindebra63]

We need to see an up-to-date episode of the towns and a completed ISOM store! The resilience of these people is highly admirable!

[@deirdrepasko9965]

Amen! I second that!

[@pammckinney0009]

People are still displaced and tons of places are still not cleaned up :(

[@mcclaindebra63]

@@pammckinney0009 It will probably take several years, sadly.

[@chrisrose_krii_lun_aus]

Lol, you don't want too see anything from up here because it will never be done. We've been promised so much in my lifetime that never got done. These towns are in worse shape now than in anytime in my life. They need to build some factories, stores besides dollar stores, Anything for entertainment maybe. Infrastructure and Jobs. That's what we need.

[@mcclaindebra63]

@@chrisrose_krii_lun_aus Unfortunately, that's seems to be the norm for several places. Small towns are the forgotten ones and I should know, I lived in a thriving city during the 1960's to 2014. It was a beautiful city (back in the 40's-80's) but now through the 90's-on, mismanagement and greed by our local city officials, has made it pretty much, 3rd world status. (poor road and street conditions, condemned buildings and houses that should be bulldozed, are left standing, etc.) Most all of the major companies have left from there and there aren't too many jobs available, other than fast food or some retail. This is in Mississippi.

[@chrisrose_krii_lun_aus]

Shew, that was a rough night. I live right on the North Fork across from War Creek. It got pretty rough but we were all up on the hill and not the holler. The Hillbilly refugees were a God send. I'm glad my kids got out of here.

[@angieowen1165]

My daughter called Big Laurel and Pine Mountain Settlement School home for 3 years, let tell ya, we were on the road with a UHaul trailer full and my truck bed full of supplies from Western KY, she considers EKY home, and she is their family! We are forever grateful for her EKY family.

[@imnthng]

compelling and warm. pretty pictures!

[@nickjonson6996]

I can't imagine how terrifying for that firefighter in chest-deep water, still rising, and he's unable to swim. Courage.

[@MegaVthompson]

Bless the people who ‘balled up’ to help their neighbors‼️

[@byronarachnicus6596]

I helped my parents clean up recently after hurricane Ean. They dealt with storm surge. It took all week to clear out their garage that had about 4' of water in it. It was exhausting. They were very fortunate and the damage was nothing compared to those that lost their entire homes to the hurricane. It's nice to see that there were so many people in Kentucky willing to help. After the Hurricane it all depends on where you are reference how much help you are going to get. There also scammers everywhere. It's close to impossible to find a contractor to fix damage as well as building materials being in stock when the damage is vast. My heart goes out to anyone who has suffered through horrendous flooding. The amount of stress is extreme. Nothing is getting fixed quickly and the fighting you have to do with the insurance can take years off your life emotionally.

[@kyramullins2186]

I live in whitesburg ky it was diffently devastating, sad alot of ppl dont have flood insurance mostly because this doesnt happen here, we always get flood flash warnings n stuff like that n it never happens so this was a shock to alot of ppl

[@rikkipowers3921]

my whole zip code (15-20k people) all live between 5-50ft of sea level right near the east coast. If your house is more than 7ft up you don't need flood insurance (and it becomes expensive and difficult to get at all). It's really scary.

[@mwebb3014]

This was so well done. Thank you.

[@tcw4731]

To anyone who knew my family the wrights in cornettesville please pray for my papaw for he lost my mamaw last year and my father in 2019 God Bless all the folks in Letcher County

[@michelleshelley995]

I'm from Whitley county Kentucky been here all my life.its awful what family's has to go through.

[@terrylong6457]

Very well done. God Bless all of you.

[@Brando-UK]

I have lived in McRoberts the majority of my life except for a few years in central Ky and a few years in Alabama. The way that people of the community and people outside of the community pulled together to help each other out was the most beautiful, inspiring thing I have ever witnessed. The closest thing I can compare it to is the way all of the United States came together on September 12, 2001.

[@kaicarson2507]

ive jusy found this video. im from breathitt county, ky. we live by a very small creek, but between 12:00 and 12:30am, water went from flooding our yard to completely destroying our family home. the water bust open our doors with the force of a river. my elderly parents and i spent 6 hours in the loft, listening to water over 12ft high pound the side of our brick home with trees, boulders, and people's belongings. the flooring fell out beneath us, all you could see is dark rapids. the house was only kept standing by two supports, it shifted and shook. once the sun was up and the water fell, we found a way to break through the ceiling and fall out onto a muddy mattress still in one of the destroyed rooms. everything was covered in 3 inches of mud. we lost 6 cars in the flood, one stuck in a tree 8 feet off the ground. we lost everything. im 24, my parents are both 69 and my mom has dementia. i have never seen people come together in appalachia like i experienced then. there is a mennonite disaster service rebuilding a home for us. this documentary is beautiful and captures the experience incredibly. ive been impacted by PTSD since then as i assume many have, but ive never been more proud to be an appalachian. thank you for this.

[@debbieprivett1880]

I grew up in West Virginia & northern Kentucky so I've seen some flooding of the Ohio River & it scared me to death. I've never seen anything like this. It's wonderful that so many people came together. I wish it wouldn't take a disaster for it to happen.

[@deirdrepasko9965]

What do folks still need, and where should folks send it to?

[@dorascott8286]

Stopping by to wish you a Blessed Easter. If not so old, would move there in a min:. God Bless.

[@thelegion3682]

Pike county KY for me. I did live on dorton Jenkins hwy about five or six years ago but I've been gone since. This was terrible flooding 😔. I pray for everyone involved.

[@yourdaywillcome5694]

Home is where the brave is everyone sticks together and loves together ❤️

[@misfitfarms]

Down here on the Texas Coast, we survived a CAT 4 hurricane in 2017 that flattened our little town of 8000. It has taken 6 long years, but I am proud to say we have rebuilt better than before. Hang in there, it gets better!

[@ronjefferson4261]

My wife traveled to Kentucky when this happened. She is a social worker and she saw some awful things.

[@jimmymalone3494]

I really enjoyed your video.God Bless you all.

[@THEWORDCHRISTIANMINISTRY]

GOD has a way of pulling HIS children together.

[@yourdaywillcome5694]

May God bless you all and help you get through it and get things back right again

[@belladonna131]

I have not heard of this devastation/natural disaster. It's so nice to hear of the community coming together to help each other even with differences. And the story of THE DRUNKEN ANGELS. That was wonderful. It would be nice to see a follow up. April 2023 is right around the corner. 💝💖❣❤💕👍✌🌸🌹

[@janetsarlo8976]

I'm praying for you all ! GOD BLESS

[@swearenginlawanda]

And unfortunately, they just got hit with more flooding this past few weeks. God bless them all...... including my husband's family.

[@unitedwestanddividedwefall2073]

28:00 mins in this Documentary the 1 guy said their going to need more federal gov't $ & he's right, but the problem with that is our gov't is too busy giving it to Ukraine to support them.

[@deirdrepasko9965]

Exactly. Heck, Joey couldn't even make it to East Palestine, Ohio, because giving our tax dollars away to Ukraine is far more important that taking care of our own! 😡

[@unitedwestanddividedwefall2073]

@@deirdrepasko9965 you right & he's going to be the 1 to put us in a ww3 JUST B-4 the election mark my words.

[@randomvintagefilm273]

How nice for them to send the alerts in Spanish, WTF?

[@timothyforsythe3155]

Your heart has to go out to the people. They have lost so much. God's blessings on them. I hope IGA opens on schedule bigger and better then ever.

[@williamstamper442]

My daddy is buried on the other side of that same mountain behind the Isom IGA. I'm stuck in Michigan but would rather be down there

[@ABunchOfLadiesAndADood]

Flooding is so devastating in that it doesn’t really fully destroy, but it does the overwhelming damage that does destroy in a matter of days the lives that were built and memories that were shared, whereas in a fire it is more likely that the loss is immediate and not something that you have to relive in trying to salvage from! Many prayers for you all 🙏

[@T.Roy1782]

Ryan Hall y'all and the y'all squad...

[@yourdaywillcome5694]

Amen brother 🙏💞

[@yourdaywillcome5694]

God love yas I'm so sorry that happened to you guys

[@yourdaywillcome5694]

Only the strong lives thrue its battles

[@michaelpcooksey5096]

Ideation for people in flood plain: Build concrete flat platform. Acquire used river barge floats [or make your own 1/2 size]. They interconnect like modular construction. Build your home on top of that platform. [not a houseboat, but a real home anchored to I-beams on the floats]. Electricity would need flexible connections. Water lines would need break-away connections. Anchor the floats so they would go up for 40 feet and when water was receding could set down on solid stilts until the concrete platform could be cleaned ... then jacks lower again in place. It would be a great feasibility design as a college engineering class project. Concept wise there could be an entire town with shopping center set up that way. Just saying.

[@deirdrepasko9965]

Interesting thought.

[@michaelpcooksey5096]

@@deirdrepasko9965 I know the general idea is sound, the mechanics need working out ... and Kentucky mini-rivers are likely not the ideal spot to do it ... more like somewhere along the Mississippi flood plains. I researched the existing barge manufacturers and got the spitting drawl response of No, you're talking a simple houseboat. I got it. They are established, no need for R & D expenditure on a scheme that has not proven itself. It would take time for the concept and final designs to be developed, so not good for venture capitalists either; they want fast return on their investments. But, I know the idea is sound. Thank you for the comeback.

[@rubberband1510]

@@michaelpcooksey5096 The problem is flood insurance in Southern states. The insurance companies based in Southern states like Florida, Louisiana, and Texas are predatory and would refuse to insure buildings that have non conventional foundations.

[@michaelpcooksey5096]

@@rubberband1510 Right! This 'building' would not have a foundation. It would rest in a 'dry dock' affair with landscaping to disguise the bones. How about living on a dry-dock?

[@hardcoretj9714]

i lost my home in this flood

[@scottkeeton956]

Is it true Chris Stapleton came to with the flood.

[@MimiPickering]

yes. he came to Jenkins I believe.

[@Patriot-od6xk]

Yes

[@masterspin7796]

It's the same thing as rebuilding in Tornado Alley it's not if it's when...

[@heatherfulmore3412]

If people were able to build walls in Louisiana to prevent flooding, how come they won't help the people in these small towns?

[@michelangeloricci5708]

did the IGA open April 1st?, 2023

[@RuralAssemblyVideo]

Yes it did.

[@michelangeloricci5708]

@@RuralAssemblyVideo thank you

[@heatherfulmore3412]

They don't have drainage?

[@kyramullins2186]

Hey they plan on opening back up on april fools day thats my birthday lol i will be 27

[@deirdrepasko9965]

You should go there and buy something!

[@acundercovershow8523]

Humans Are A Whole As 1 No Matter Your Background God Gave Us This Beautiful Life And He Has Faith In His Creation To Love And Support Everyone As A Family Race Religion Does Not Matter We All Bleed Red We All Cry Clear Tears And We All Work For A Living!! Love One Another ❤

[@karensizemore3199]

This was the worse time in life for the people ..made it around to find family and friends

[@jaymanmemo2742]

Fema knows who's doing it.

[@nomosss]

TIME TO MOVE AWAY FROM THE RIVER.

[@Eugene-eg4ex]

We need another one boys bring in that dope money from FEMA big FEMA money party.

[@billyboy861]

I see you are either part of the problem or know how terrible the dope problem is out here

[@bradchoate6940]

✝️✝️✝️✝️ SALVATION ✝️✝️✝️✝️✝️✝️ ✝️ HOLY BIBLE 🔥 ✝️🔥 JOHN 3:16✝️ For God so loved the World, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever Believeth in him should not PERISH, but have Everlasting LIFE. ✝️✝️✝️✝️✝️ SALVATION ✝️✝️✝️✝️✝️✝️ ✝️✝️GOD, SON, JESUS Christ--YES ✝️✝️✝️

[@raybonecrusher4516]

Sometimes I wonder if our country will survive these trying times. I know what it's like to live in poverty. We have so much in resourse's and our country is one of the richest nations in the world, but the poor seem to be the ones that are willing to help the most, they give everything they have to help others survive. The federal government has grown so big that taxes are the largest single purchase that the working citizens pay. Other nations get help financially and yet disaster areas here get very little in comparison. Our interest on the national debt is getting close to the income from taxes. The times I grew up in the poor could survive, but the poor of today will have a harder time surviving what is ahead of us.

[@fjb3544]

You will never get assistance as long as you vote republican.

[@davestevens4263]

Great people there in Kentucky, been there before & beautiful country!

[@alessandro7372]

In Italy was the same 3 weeks ago ,this sad ,very sad...

[@rosemaryadams1746]

I live in Kentucky,born and raised here.we have had and continue to have republican politicians who has been in control of Kentucky and Kentucky is one of the highest states in poverty-stricken and Mitch McConnell, Rand Paul,comer keeps getting richer but everytime there's a election Kentucky people just keep voting them back in .and then Kentucky people keeps wondering why there's nothing but to hope for better but the more you hope it just stays the same.i was a life long republican for over 40 years and got a college degree,but still had to work 2 jobs and raised my children, didn't have time to worry about politics just voted for Republicians but in 2020 I went and got a freedom of information act and found out that I have been voting against my own interests for over 40 years.if people keeps doing the same thing over and over and get the same results and thinking that it it be different we are only fooling our selves.i give give you example, Obama came here and wanted that bridge fixed that goes to Ohio and Mitch McConnell and the rest of republicans said no, trump said he wanted that bridge fixed and the Republicians said no .so the last 2 years that Mitch McConnell has been minority leader and not majority leader now this time Mitch McConnell and the rest of the Republicians said okay let's fix that bridge ,cause I bet you a dollar to a donut that will be what Mitch McConnell and the rest of the Republicians will run on for the next election to have Mitch McConnell to get back as majority leader,but after he gets back as majority leader there be nothing from Kentucky that will fixed again .but people of Kentucky will still have republicans control of Kentucky.