Mennonite Disaster Service Responding to Kentucky Flooding

Mennonite Disaster Service is responding to May flooding and mudslides in Breathitt County, Kentucky. Local Kentucky Early Response Teams have started mucking out at Bethel Mennonite Camp in Clayhole, and will spread out from there as volunteers are available.

“Pastor Eldon Miller and camp staffers Roger Voth and Justin Kurtz are giving direction to the volunteers, helping them get connected to the needs,” said Jerry Klassen, MDS Disaster Response Coordinator. Work is being done with a skid steer, an excavator and other equipment.

“Harvey Zimmerman came with a van load of volunteers from Hopkinsville, Kentucky,” Klassen added. “At this time we are still working on coordinating additional volunteers to support the efforts.”

Work is expected to include mucking out basements, removal of flooring and wall boards, as well as yard clean up.

Willis Troyer, MDS Region II Director, and Steve Campbell of Highspire, PA have begun investigative work to determine the needs of the community. “MDS is the only, and I mean the only responding agency there in Breathitt County,” Campbell said while giving an update to MDS staff. “Sadly, there is a lot of work to be done—from mucking out to others who have totally lost everything.”

MDS volunteers report that at least four valleys in Breathitt County have been affected, with 600 homes impacted, and 150 completely destroyed. However, longer-term clean up could be delayed as people wait for damage assessment from FEMA and insurance companies, noted one volunteer.

“We are blessed to have folks like Pastor Miller who know the community well and will be able to assist MDS in making connections with the many people that live along the windy roads back in the hills,” Klassen mentioned. “Pastor Miller is willing to help build bridges by helping the people understand MDS and its process of offering services.”

In addition, Campbell said that “our first focus is the elderly, and the church community. But then we will start looking for work outside the immediate community.”