My Eastern KY family devastated by the flood

As most are aware, Eastern KY was devastated by flash floods that hit in the middle of the night, Thursday, July 28th. Particularly Jackson, KY, my home town. Given little to no warning, families were left to grab what they could and head to safety. There are so many who have lost everything. Some, very close to me. They would never ask for help. I’m here to share their story and ask for them.

My Aunt Barb, Uncle Ossie, and Son Ossie Jr, “Bud” are sadly among the thousands who have lost everything. What many are not aware is this comes at a particularly difficult time.

Aunt Barb is the strongest person on the planet, my hero second only to my Momma. She’s had to be. She’s worked 7 days a week her entire life. Hard, back-breaking (literally) labor. And for the last 7 years continued to do that while battling stage 4 metastatic breast cancer. Recently, she was also diagnosed with stage 4 metaplastic breast cancer. It’s very aggressive and so must be her treatment. And even still, she continues to work every single day, because she must.

Uncle Ossie has suffered with what is now debilitating Multiple Sclerosis for all of his adult life, while working every day, because he must.

Bud had just finally recovered from losing almost everything he owned from the floods 2 years ago. Bud works 2 jobs, sleeping only a couple of hours a day, every single day, because he must.

They all have now lost everything. We are so very thankful they managed to escape with their lives, the answer to many prayers. However like most residents in the is area, they did not have home insurance. So now they have what must seem like an impossible mountain to climb. I’m asking you to help me build them a ladder to climb that mountain.

Not only did they lose their personal belongings, which is difficult enough. They also lost all of the tools and equipment they use to make their living.

What we learned from the floods 2 years ago is that FEMA does not move quickly nor do they replace all that has been lost. My sweet, hard-working family simply cannot wait while the government moves at a snails pace.

So while they will not ask for your help, I will. They need help now. I will be leaving from Florida in the next couple of days, headed for Jackson with as much as I can carry. Every penny that we can raise will go directly to Barb, Ossie and Bud to help them survive the next few months as I help them navigate the FEMA process.

Please, I ask you to give what you can and if you can’t give, share this with as many people as possible. Help me get their story out there. 

 Aunt Barb has the toughest fight imaginable ahead. Help us relieve this tremendous burden from those who have already suffered so much. 

 And please, keep them along with everyone in Eastern KY in your prayers. Thank you and God Bless

Updated with pictures: 

Pictures taken after the water began to recede. The flood went all the way to the ceiling in Bud’s home.