To describe the Vietnam rain in the famous movie "Forrest Gump," Tom Hanks said, “One day it started raining, and it didn’t quit for four months. We been through every kind of rain there is: little bitty stinging rain and big ol' fat rain. Rain that flew in sideways, and sometimes rain even seemed to come straight up from underneath.”
While it may not have been raining for four months here in Kentucky, we have faced an enormous amount of rain this summer. There hasn’t been a week go by without a drop of rain. Water levels have risen in lakes, rivers, and ponds, and the state has faced a large degree of water damage.
However, no county has been hit quite as hard as eastern Kentucky’s Johnson County, home of the Paintsville Lake State Park. On July 13, 2015, the county faced flash floods that would destroy over 125 homes. The damage sustained by the community is immense. Entire homes and vehicles have been washed away, leaving many community members homeless.
So far, four drowning victims have been found as a result of the recent flooding in Johnson County: Richard Blair, 22, Herman Eddie May Sr., 56, Willa Mae Pennington, 74, and Scott Johnson, 34.
The fourth victim, Scott Johnson, has been called a true hero of Johnson County, having assisted his father, uncle, nephew, and sister escape the flood waters and saving their lives. After helping those individuals, Johnson headed into the mobile home of his grandmother, victim Willa Mae Pennington, to help her. According to the Johnson County Coroner, J.R. Frisby, the two were swept away.
National Guard troops, police officers, firefighters and volunteers have been working diligently to find and assist flood survivors in the wreckage left by the waters.
If you are interested in honoring the four flood victims and donating to the Johnson County Flood Relief, your donations will be accepted by the following organizations:
- The Highland Church of Christ in Paintsville (monetary and clothing donations)
- The First Christian Church in Paintsville (clothing/toiletries/cleaning supplies/non-perishable food)
- Encounter Missions (clothing and toiletries)
More information on these donation sites can be found here.
Johnson Central High School will also be accepting donations for flood victims and distributing those donations as needed.
Cash donations are also being accepted by the Johnson County Long-Term Recovery Committee. Their address is:
Johnson County Long-Term Recovery Committee
C/O Johnson County Fiscal Court
P.O. Box 868
Paintsville, KY 41240
In response to the recent tragedy, hot band Sundy Best (better known as Prestonburg, Ky.’s, Kris Bentley and Nick Jamerson), recently announced a free benefit concert for Johnson County flood relief starting at 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 22, at the Johnson County High School. They will be joined by Johnson County native Tyler Childers and band. They will be accepting donations of money, clothes, food, etc. All donations will go to Johnson County flood relief.
If you are unable to attend the benefit concert on Wednesday, you can donate online or mail donations to:
Foundation for Appalachian Kentucky
P.O. Box 310
Chavies, KY 41727
