Kentucky Flood Response

Several EFCA churches were impacted by flooding in eastern Kentucky. More than 9.5 inches of rain fell in less than 48 hours.

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 are still missing. 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.

ReachGlobal Crisis Response and EFCA Southeast District staff are on the ground delivering supplies and assessing the situation, and we will be responding with continued resources and future volunteer teams.

Pray for...

• Good connections and open hearts in the communities where Crisis Response will serve
• Funding, resources and staff needed for a long-term response
• God to be glorified and His Kingdom advanced by the service and compassion of churches in the wake of this crisis

Serve

Crisis Response expects to send short-term teams from the end of August into October. 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: