In a significant step towards recovery for flood-affected families, Samaritan’s Purse, a Christian international disaster relief organization, dedicated new homes to 18 families in Knott County, Kentucky, on December 15, 2023. This momentous event comes three years after catastrophic flooding devastated the region, claiming over 40 lives and displacing entire communities.
Homes Built for Hope and Stability
The dedication ceremony took place in the Chestnut Ridge neighborhood, where volunteers handed keys to 13 families impacted by the 2022 Eastern Kentucky floods. Another five families are set to move into their new homes the following week. These homes, which have been constructed on higher ground, are fully furnished and provided at no cost to the families.
Since the floods, Samaritan’s Purse has been actively involved in the recovery efforts, assisting more than 600 families by clearing out their flooded homes. Caseworkers prioritized the most vulnerable residents, focusing on those who were uninsured. Franklin Graham, president of Samaritan’s Purse, expressed the importance of this initiative, stating, “People here are used to being beaten down, they don’t have hope. They don’t think things can get better. This shows it can get better. Right here.”
Personal Stories of Resilience
The emotional impact of receiving a new home is profound for many residents. For example, Paul Johnson, who has faced numerous challenges since the flood, shared his excitement about the new appliances in his home. “This is the laundry room with washer and dryer, I’m so excited about that. No more laundromat,” he said during a tour of his new living space.
Johnson, along with his mother, Joyce Johnson, escaped their previous home during the flooding. However, the journey to recovery has been fraught with difficulties. “It’s been tough; you never know…you have to adjust your life and every day is something different,” he explained. The family has lived in a camper for three years, struggling through harsh winters. Johnson’s health has also suffered due to a lung condition, which led to him being removed from the lung transplant waiting list after losing his permanent housing.
With the new home, Johnson sees a chance for stability and dignity, as well as the opportunity to rejoin the transplant list. “This exceeds anything I expected. It’s really beautiful,” he remarked, highlighting the importance of this new beginning.
The phrase “home for the holidays” resonates deeply with these families, embodying a renewed sense of hope. “I’m blessed, I’m excited, and I hope this will be a new start for me and my momma,” Johnson added, reflecting the profound significance of the day.
This initiative was made possible through the generosity of local donors, including the Craft family. Their support, alongside that of numerous volunteers, has played a crucial role in bringing joy and stability back to this community.
As these families begin to settle into their new homes, the dedication ceremony stands as a testament to resilience and the power of community support in the face of disaster.
