Many families were unable to evacuate as roads and bridges were overrun with water flowing off of the hills and into the narrow valleys. The rivers and creeks swelled to unprecedented levels, sweeping homes off of foundations and killing at least 37 people. Many more homes, businesses and churches were inundated with mud and water.
Pastor Darcy Owens of Clear Creek Evangelical Free Church in Hazard, Kentucky estimates about 75-80% of his church families were affected, with several families losing everything. These families were not covered by flood insurance, so they will all be dependent on FEMA or help from non-profits and churches.
Lotts Creek Evangelical Free Church in Hazard had some water in their fellowship hall and kitchen on the lower level, but they expect to be able to make repairs. Thirty miles north, Lost Creek Evangelical Free Church was flooded to the roofline: Pastor David expects that it will be a total loss as sections of the block foundation cracked and shifted and portions of the brick facade have crumbled. This is the second time the building has flooded in less than a year.
In total, five EFCA church communities were affected. The EFCA has not seen this many churches impacted by a single event since Hurricane Harvey.
Pray
- For good connections and open hearts in the communities where Crisis Response will serve
- For funding, resources and staff needed for a long-term response
- For God to be glorified and His Kingdom advanced by the service and compassion of churches in the wake of this crisis
Serve
Please email respond@efca.org for more information or to schedule a trip to serve in eastern Kentucky.
Give
Funds are already being distributed to help with immediate needs. Our focus is to provide fuel, food and resources for hosting short-term teams.
You can be a part of the response in Kentucky by giving online or mailing a check designated Flood Response - 3990 to:
