Response Updates

Convoy Helping Kentucky Residents Experiencing Water Crisis

USA Reported by Convoy of Hope

Photo above: Damian Bermudez braves the bitter wind and cold while making his way with his bicycle to play video games at a local convenience store, Friday, Dec. 23, 2022, in Owensboro, Ky. (Greg Eans/The Messenger-Inquirer via AP)

January 4, 2023 | 12:35 p.m.

Roughly 28,000 people in eastern Kentucky are without water or are under a boil order due to ongoing complications from flooding that occurred there in August 2022. Convoy of Hope sent a tractor-trailer loaded with pallets of bottled water to the area over the holiday weekend. Working alongside local churches and government leadership, this water will be distributed to residents as quickly as possible.

“Convoy will continue to stay in contact with partners in the area to monitor the progress of the repairs and to see if any further resources are needed,” said Eric Gordon, Convoy’s Senior Director of U.S. Disaster Services.

Brutal winter temperatures have caused water lines to burst or have cracked residential water tanks. Authorities are working to repair the damage, but it will take time to get the pressure built back up and lift the boil order.

August 1, 2022 | 4:53 p.m.

Flooding in St. Louis and Kentucky last week caused billions of dollars in damage and changed thousands of lives forever. On July 26, St. Louis faced its largest rainfall event in the area since 1874. More than 12 inches of rain fell across St. Charles county, and two people lost their lives.

Roughly 48 hours later, deadly floods in Eastern Kentucky left tight-knit communities devastated. Rescue crews worked through more rain on Sunday to restore power and water — and recover bodies. The death toll sits at 30 as of Monday afternoon.

President Joe Biden ordered federal aid on July 29 to assist with recovery efforts in Kentucky. This aid comes amid severe flooding, landslides, and mudslides in 13 counties. Convoy of Hope is among those delivering hope and supplies to these Appalachian and Missouri communities.

Teams from Convoy left on Sunday with several loads of supplies for people in affected areas. So far, teams have delivered more than 122,000 pounds of product and served more than 6,000 individuals in Kentucky.

According to the state’s governor, Andy Beshear, the primary need is drinking water. This is something Convoy has prioritized for distribution.

A man helps two people walk through flood water after their car got stuck in St. Louis, Missouri, on Thursday, July 28, 2022. The same stubborn weather system caused intense downpours in St. Louis and Appalachia that led to devastating and in some cases deadly flooding. (Allie Schallert/St. Louis Post-Dispatch via AP)

Convoy also continues to work in St. Louis, having distributed more than 9,000 pounds of supplies. Teams will continue to serve the region through partnership with state emergency management. Convoy will also provide resources for several Multi-Agency Resource Centers (MARCs).

Additionally, Convoy of Hope has identified strategic partners in flood-affected areas. These partners will assist with distribution and keep track of the situation.

Unfortunately, weather patterns predict Kentucky will see more severe weather in the coming days. This is on top of the severe flooding and a continued heat wave.

Your support helps people in desperate situations caused by floods. We thank you for your generosity. To support survivors in Kentucky and St. Louis through the Crisis Relief Fund, click here.

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