“Reality is now setting in, it’s very devastating.”

Pastor in Perry County details flooding damage to church and food pantry

HAZARD/PERRY COUNTY (ABC 36 NEWS NOW) — Flooding impacting Eastern Kentucky on Saturday into Sunday.

Some counties closing roads due to high levels of water.

City of Hazard Utilities is urging customers with water to conserve it, with a water boil advisory in place.

“Our basement is totally devastated and demolished. So it’s the worst I’ve ever seen it,” says Pastor Mike Smith who reflected on the devastation to Maple Street Church of God, which also serves as a food pantry.

“We probably lost close to $10,000 worth of food. Our food pantry has become very prominent in our community. We service anywhere from 150- 160 families per week,” he says during 2022 they immediately jumped in to help, but this time, they’re the ones in need of help.

“Reality is just now sitting in, and it’s very devastating,” he says multiple appliances are no longer working, which also sets them back in the effort to give back to the community.

Those with the city of Hazard say this is the worst they’ve ever seen, “we had warning on this flood, unlike 2022, which is a flash flood, but I think everybody missed the mark because it’s supposed to crest at 26ft and it gets 30 1/2ft, that’s the largest flood we’ve had since 1984,” said Mayor of Hazard, Happy Mobelini.

Adding that there were over 100 rescues, Mayor Mobelini says this flood encompasses the entire county.
And while it could feel like a set back, “one of the things about Appalachia and Eastern Kentucky and especially Perry County and Hazard, is the people here are amazing.
They help one another. We tell them all the time there’s only so much government can do, but here, neighbors help neighbors, strangers help strangers,” says Scott Alexander, the Perry County Judge/Executive.

Pastor Smith agrees with that sentiment, but says because of the location of the church, they were not eligible for flood insurance.

“But it’s going to be a total rebuild downstairs,” said Smith.

The city says that for now they are still reassessing what is needed.
One of the big necessities will be cleaning supplies.
Adding that patience will also be essential.

If you would like to donate to Maple Street Church of God, contact Pastor Mike Smith, you can call him at (606) 438-1774, or you can mail them:

P.O. 784

Hazard, Ky. 41702

Those with the city have also set up a spreadsheet for those interested in volunteering, you can do so by clicking here.