Volunteer Firefighter Carries Elderly Woman Through Flood Waters In Eastern Kentucky

Once again, Appalachia is being hit with absolutely devastating floods.

Last year Hurricane Helene ravaged parts of Western North Carolina, leaving entire communities stranded, huge portions of critical infrastructure inoperable, and over 230 people dead. Recovery efforts are still underway in some of these areas and some of country music’s finest stepped up big time for their home-state.

Eric Church and Luke Combs teamed up for Concert For Carolina at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, raising $24 million for those affected by the storm. More recently, Church, through his Chief Cares foundation, launched “Blueprint for the Blue Ridge” to build 100 homes for 100 families who lost their due to the storm and subsequent flooding.

But now a different part of Appalachia needs a whole lot of help.

Major Flooding In Appalachia

Huge areas of Eastern Kentucky, along with parts of Tennessee, West Virginia, and Virginia are currently underwater due to a severe weather system that hit the area over the weekend. The flooding is immense and already at least 9 people have lost their lives.

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear has established the Team Kentucky Storm Relief Fund to assist those impacted by these storms.

Hug your loved ones and cherish every day you have together, because we're not promised tomorrow.
The floods in KY are affecting people all over the state and my lil heart breaks for everyone in this mess pic.twitter.com/C6ibnfk8fE

— TheRealAC (@TheRealAC49) February 16, 2025

Louisville’s Breckenridge Lane near Six Mile closed due to flooding. Four cars were trapped; here’s two. Lots of areas experiencing floods after Saturday’s rain. Updates:https://t.co/7XuOKw7UHV pic.twitter.com/PFR403Eccr

— Matt Stone (@mattstonephotog) February 16, 2025

The visuals are awful and my prayers go out to every single person affected by the flood waters. It’s often hard to fathom just how powerful water can be until you see it first hand. My grandma had to be rescued by her neighbor in a canoe a few years back when a flash flood hit Scranton, PA and trying to salvage any pieces of her house afterwards leaves a mark that you won’t soon forget.

But for all the bad that comes from an event like this, there’s just as many, if not more, stories of real life heroes doing incredible things with no regard for their own safety, just that of others.

The first heroic story I saw came from Allen, Kentucky.

We don’t know a whole lot on this story but a picture was posted by WMDJ radio station 100.1 showing two volunteer firefighters wading through a flooded road to rescue an elderly woman whose car was swallowed up by the water.

Even with no details, it’s a powerful image that proves the best in humanity comes out in our darkest moments:

Comments have been pouring in under the photos, some from Jordan Chaffins family (he’s the guy carrying the lady) and from a captain of the Allen Volunteer Fire Department:

Chris Goble (Allen Fire Dept Captain) – “This guy right here is one of the hardest workers, a dedicated member of our department. The young lady behind him if our first female officer. Very very proud of these two.”

April Johnson – “That’s my son Jordan Kristopher Chaffins He will do anything he can to help anyone … I’m very proud of him. Everyone please keep all of our first responders in your thoughts and prayers”

And there was another comment that many people (including myself) rallied around:

“This photo should be nominated for TIME magazine”

Couldn’t agree more. This shows the heart of Appalachia better than anything else. Even when the rest of the world seems to ignore them, they step up to protect and save their own time and time again.

If you can, please send some money to the Team Kentucky Storm Relief Fund. I’m on the lookout for other good donation options but right now it seems that’s the best to have money go directly to the victims of this flooding.

Sending prayers and support to the people of Eastern Kentucky and those affected in Tennessee, West Virginia, and Virginia.

A lot of people across our commonwealth are hurting today. We’ve lost at least 9 people and there is a lot of damage. To Kentucky and America, if you can help, please do. Whether it’s donating to https://t.co/t2wYonyTHk or saying a prayer, every bit helps. We’re in this together. pic.twitter.com/VzdJjPohOg

— Andy Beshear (@AndyBeshearKY) February 17, 2025

Barren River flood waters in Bowling Green, Kentucky as seen by drone on February 16, 2025.@NWSLouisville @wxornotBG @WKUweather @joeimel @ryanhallyall @MaxVelocityWX pic.twitter.com/pqhO7xwDRX

— Crispy (@crispytaytortot) February 16, 2025