Update: Disaster Relief in Kentucky, USA

I’ve been first on the ground at natural disasters before but the devastating floods in Kentucky, USA have left me with my mouth hanging wide open. It’s hard to describe the level of devestation left in the wake of historic record breaking floods and mudslides in the region. Cars and houses are smashed together clogging up the creeks and trailers lay split in two across road ways. Entire towns are just gone.

An MSDN paramedic has been on the ground delivering water, food, first aid, and oxygen tanks to people who’s roads and bridges have been washed away, preventing them from reaching donation centers. People keep asking me how it’s going and all I can say is “it’s bad, it’s really bad, get here and help.” As always neighbors helping neighbors is what saves lives and what keeps communities safe, not the state. With regional EMS completely overwhelmed and many having lost or had substantial damage to their own stations and the general population being without water and power it is critical for community members to perform wellness checks and bring supplies directly to those still trapped in rural areas.

I would be amiss to end this communiqué without stating the fact that this devastation is due greatly in part to climate change, abandoned mines, and the continued destruction of our mountainous landscapes throughout Appalachia for profit at the cost of the lives of Appalachians and their children.