Extension
It Starts With Us
Author: Lindie Huffman
Major Program: Flood Relief & Recovery
On the Sunday evening after historic flooding in Eastern Kentucky, Lindie Huffman sat in her Williamstown, Kentucky home with a heavy heart. She was brainstorming ways to help her counterparts who were going through hell in high water. Watch related video“For anyone who knows the little town of Falmouth, we were hit by a flood in 1997, so this hits close to home,” said Huffman, University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension agent for agriculture and natural resources in
Author: Genaea Sarantakos
Major Program: Flood Relief & Recovery
Kentucky 4-H Project BoxesA Project to Assist Youth Affected by the 2022 Flooding in Southeast KentuckyThere are an estimated 700 youth currently displaced in just three of the five federally designated counties recently impacted by the flooding in Southeastern Kentucky. In response to this, Kentucky 4-H and Family Consumer Sciences offered “4-H Project Boxes” for all youth 3-18 years old. Fayette County proudly reports donating 90 project boxes- 30 to each age group. 3 agents and ou
Author: Christina A. Martin
Major Program: Flood Relief & Recovery
I pledge my hands to larger serve. This statement is part of the 4-H pledge and a cornerstone of the 4-H program. In mid-August, several eastern Kentucky counties were impacted by devastating flood waters during a multi-hour rain event. Several counties were dramatically impacted by the flood waters. School had just begun in Russell County, and this provided an excellent opportunity for youth to give back to young people their own age. Engaging youth in a variety of commu
Author: Keith Hackworth
Major Program: Flood Relief & Recovery
The Floyd County Cooperative Extension Office planned and organized a Community Health and Safety Event with a goal of promoting vaccinations and general health. It was conducted in August 2022 at the Jenny Wiley State Park Convention Center.This event was conducted with the cooperation of Big Sandy Healthcare. It was promoted as a community event and had vendors from several of our community partners and organizations. Those participating were Big Sandy Healthcare, Floyd County Health Departmen
Author: Lorie Adams
Major Program: Flood Relief & Recovery
In July 2022, a historic flash flood hit in Knott County, Kentucky. Twenty-one people lost their lives, and over 100 families were displaced by this disaster. Some left the county and others went into intermediate housing provided by the state and FEMA. This intermediate housing was an RV trailer that was placed at a county campground or an ATV Park. These RV's gave the families limited ways to cook and store food. The refrigerators in the RV's were much smaller than the fami
Author: Kayla Watts
Major Program: Flood Relief & Recovery
Abraham H. Maslow introduced the concept of a hierarchy of needs in 1943. The hierarchy suggests that people are motivated to fulfill their basic physiological and safety & security needs, before proceeding through other rising levels of need. On July 28 and 29, 2022, in Breathitt County Kentucky, several residents suffered physiological losses from a historical flood. Residents waded flood waters and struggled through feet-deep mud to be rescued. Many were left without a home a
Author: Heather Coleman
Major Program: Flood Relief & Recovery
During the end of July 2022 many Eastern Kentucky counties were hit hard with devastating flooding. During this time Kentucky did what we always do. We came together to help one another out during a time of need. But we were not the only one. Volunteers from all over the US came to help when we needed it. One Tennessee Home School Club, having a connection to East Kentucky reached out to Floyd County 4-H. They ask what they could do to help. We put them in contact w
Author: Ryan Spicer
Major Program: Flood Relief & Recovery
Abraham H. Maslow introduced the concept of a hierarchy of needs in 1943. The hierarchy suggests that people are motivated to fulfill their basic physiological and safety & security needs, before proceeding through other rising levels of need. On July 28 and 29, 2022, in Breathitt County Kentucky, several residents suffered physiological losses from a historical flood. Residents waded flood waters and struggled through feet-deep mud to be rescued. Many were left without a home an
Author: Shad Baker
Major Program: Flood Relief & Recovery
When dawn broke on July 28th, 2022, many Kentuckians woke to swirling flood waters and utter devastation. Thousands were left stranded, homeless, without transportation or basic needs. In one instance, an entire community was without water, electricity and basic essentials; cut off by a now missing road. As a gauge of the scale of the disaster, officials determined that 80% of the houses in the county had been impacted.The Letcher Co. Extension Service immediately reached out to county officials
Author: Aaron Redmond
Major Program: Flood Relief & Recovery
According to the National Library of Medicine, flooding is now the most frequent type of major disaster. While most people who are involved in disasters recover with the support of their families, friends and colleagues, the effects on some people’s health, relationships and welfare can be extensive. Flooding can pose substantial social and mental health problems that may continue over extended periods of time. Flooding can challenge the psychosocial resilience of the hardiest of people wh
Author: Crystal Smith
Major Program: Flood Relief & Recovery
July 28, 2022 was a day that changed lives for ever in Letcher County and mush of Eastern Kentucky. The night turned to a devastating day break as many of us woke to complete and utter devastation. I was awakened to the sound of heavy rain and lightning at 2:30 A.M. the electricity had gone off at 12:00 A.M. but I didn't pay much attention as we lost power a lot during heavy storms. I looked out the window to see the water had come up some but not an alarming amount at that time so I went ba
Author: Beau Neal
Major Program: Flood Relief & Recovery
The severe damage caused by the July flooding affected many folks in Eastern Kentucky. Devastating waters destroyed homes, schools, business and scattered debris throughout the affected area and beyond. I traveled to Breathitt County, under the direction of AED Ty Back and coordinated by Breathitt Extension staff, to aid in the beginning stages of the recovery effort. My efforts that day consisted of transporting nurses around to the most severely impacted areas to administer tetanus vacci
Author: Jason Phillips
Major Program: Flood Relief & Recovery
This past year has illustrated how vulnerable and helpless we all can be when natural disasters occur. We mourned for our friends and family in Western and South Central Kentucky when they were devastated by tornadoes at the end of 2021. Fast forward seven months later and our Eastern Kentucky brethren were severely impacted by unprecedented flooding that left many areas under water and in shambles. Any of these disasters could have happened here. I think all our farmer
Author: Kelsey Sebastian
Major Program: Flood Relief & Recovery
July 28th Eastern Kentucky was hit with the most horrible flooding our region has ever seen. As flash flooding hit in the night Perry County was one of the most devasted areas leaving seven residents deceased. There were over eighty bridges that became unusable essentially leaving hundreds of residents stranded. Many of these bridges remain unrepaired even two months later. Thousands of people went without basic needs such as electric, telephone, and water for weeks due to the isolated ter
Author: Vicki Boggs
Major Program: Flood Relief & Recovery
Eastern Kentucky Flooding The night of July 28, 2022, darkness fell with continued rain of two days. Families in Eastern Kentucky awoke to severe flash flooding. Leslie County Cooperative Extension was emergency closed along with numerous other Extension Offices in the East Region. University of Kentucky Regional and Area Extension directors were in immediate contact with counties assessing damage and joining in efforts to help communities. Leslie County Extension was set
Author: Shad Baker
Major Program: Flood Relief & Recovery
The historic flooding in Eastern Kentucky is impacting many small horticultural producers particularly hard because of equipment losses. Most are small operators with tight margins and a very limited ability to pay for replacements. A brainstorming Zoom between University of Kentucky ANR Agents, Specialists and the Kentucky Horticulture Council's Cindy Finneseth led to a collaborative partnership geared towards repairing flooded equipment for free. The Hort Council partnered with the Vo-Ag p
Author: Reed Graham
Major Program: Flood Relief & Recovery
Situation and Target AudienceBreathitt County is located in eastern Kentucky where 28% of the population (13,718 people in 5,506 households) live in poverty (per capita income is $20,654 according to the 2021 US Census estimate). Sixty percent of the 160 farms are family farms. Thirty-six percent of the farms are under 50 acres. Cattle and calves provide the majority of agriculture income. (2017 Census of Agriculture)On July 27th2022, eastern Kentucky was flo
Author: Charles May
Major Program: Flood Relief & Recovery
On the morning of July 28, 2022 eastern Kentucky awoke to find the landscape of this area changed forever from historic flooding. Lives were lost, multiple homes and business were destroyed cars flooded or washed away and many of our farms were damaged or destroyed including livestock losses, structures, and equipment and feed loss. It’s estimated that in the 4 Counties that had the most severe flooding, Breathitt, Knott, Letcher and Perry, that more than 5000 hom
Author: Lorie Adams
Major Program: Flood Relief & Recovery
In July 2022, Knott County was hit by a devastating 1000 year flood. 140 homes were declared a total loss and many others were damaged and needed cleanup. Many residents also lost outside property and many bridges were damaged or destroyed and people were unable to get out to get items they needed to survive. The county had very few stores that were even open to get food or needed supplies. We also had people living in tents in the area who had many unmet needs. The county was also w
Author: Lorie Adams
Major Program: Flood Relief & Recovery
In July 2022, Knott County was hit by a devastating 1000 year flood. 140 homes were declared a total loss and many others were damaged. Many families also lost personal property such as cars and farming equipment. Five months after the flood hit, many families were still living in government provided campers, Others were still recovering from damage to their own homes and loss of property. The holidays were here and that brought new worries for how they would celebrate with limited f
Author: Chadwick Conway
Major Program: Flood Relief & Recovery
On the morning of July 28, 2022 eastern Kentucky awoke to find the landscape of this area changed forever from historic flooding. Lives were lost, multiple homes and business were destroyed cars flooded or washed away and many of our farms were damaged or destroyed including livestock losses, structures, and equipment and feed loss. It’s estimated that in the 4 Counties that had the most severe flooding, Breathitt, Knott, Letcher and Perry, that more than 5000 hom
Author: Rhonda Jewell
Major Program: Flood Relief & Recovery
Caldwell County 4-H was selected by Planters Bank of Princeton to be the beneficiary of their seasonal fundraiser titled “Season of Giving”. Planters Bank chooses a non-profit each fall to be the recipient of the fundraiser. The bank collected donations from the public and then matched the value of those donations; then the bank would donate that amount to the non-profit of their choice.The 4-H Teen Council had the idea to “give back” to others that had
Author: Kayla Watts
Major Program: Flood Relief & Recovery
July 26-30, 2022, were historic flooding days for Eastern Kentucky. Some areas experienced more than 4” of rain an hour which led to 39 deaths and catastrophic damage. The American Psychiatric Association reports that adult common reactions after a disaster include sadness, depression, hyperactivity, irritability, anger, and a whole host of other physical/emotional reactions. The July traumatic event, coupled with Kentucky’s high adult mental health rates l
Author: Kayla Watts
Major Program: Flood Relief & Recovery
According to FEMA.gov there have been at least 12 major disasters declared in the state of Kentucky since the beginning of 2020. Often, County Extension Agents are called upon during such disasters and recovery to help with agriculture, food safety, family, and youth needs. Responding to community needs during a disaster takes coordination and partnerships to be effective. It is important for county agents to know and understand their roles/priorities, as well as the role of g
Author: Lindie Huffman
Major Program: Flood Relief & Recovery
Historic flooding struck Eastern Kentucky in July 2022 and Pendleton County in 1997. In response to the Pendleton County community's desire to help their fellow flood survivors, the Pendleton County Extension Office organized a mission to bring hope and joy to the affected families during the holiday season. This heartwarming story highlights their tireless efforts and the transformative impact they made in the lives of twenty-four families comprising seventy-six individuals.As the floodwate
Author: Paul Sizemore
Major Program: Flood Relief & Recovery
The problemThis spring the ANR Extension Agents in the old Quicksand Area teamed up with Meade Tractor of Hazard, the Mountain Cattlemen Association, Kentucky Cattlemen Association and UK Extension Forage Specialists, to conduct a forage event and equipment demonstration. The event was held at the Perry County Extension Service Annex building. This event was developed as a response to the July 28, 2022, eastern Kentucky flood. It was an educational event that instructed forage
Author: Shawn Wright
Major Program: Flood Relief & Recovery
We survived and have been slowly recovering. We will have new facilities and tools and will be in better shape than we have been since I arrived.
Author: Dora Centers
Major Program: Flood Relief & Recovery
In the early spring of 2023, heavy rain caused schools to close, and once again, roads were being destroyed. Following closely to the traumatic flood event of July 2022, our youth were experiencing post-disaster mental health issues. Since students were having extreme responses to the recurring flood threat classrooms were not prepared to handle, the schools reached out to the 4-H agent asking for a schoolwide program for mental health and coping skills. The schools have mental health prof
Author: Shad Baker
Major Program: Flood Relief & Recovery
When the historic floods of 2022 hit in July, one of the critical issues that quickly came to light was the mental stress being placed on Kentucky families and farmers. Years of job losses and the related financial stress had taxed most families, leading to health impacts and drug use and abuse. The flood injected fuel to the flame. Unfortunately, few leaders and first responders shad received adequate training on how to help individuals displaying mental health symptoms.Partnering with the Univ
