MCDOWELL COUNTY, W.Va. – McDowell County residents are continuing to deal with what is believed to be the worst flood damage the county has ever seen.
Among those dealing with the aftermath is Raysal resident, Jeff Bryant. Bryant says his house was flooded and his property remains caked in mud.
“You really don’t know where to start because everything is just destroyed. I don’t know what we’re going to do. Keep going is all I know,” said Bryant.
Bryant says when the waters started to rise he tried to store belongings on higher surfaces in his home but he was forced to leave after the flooding overtook his property.
“In ’77 I was 13 years old and the water was higher this time than it was then. It was way higher,” said Bryant.
Bryant is just one of many trying to recover. Local churches in Raysal and neighboring Bradshaw have been crucial in recovery efforts. Providing cleaning supplies, food and water to those in dark times.
“All the churches in the area have got together and going to people’s places that can’t get out and taking items to them so all the churches in this area are doing a wonderful job through Jesus Christ to meet the needs of everybody,” said Steven Alley, pastor of Bradshaw Church of God.
Alley as well as leaders at The Refuge in Raysal say the support from the outside has been overwhelming. They’ve received countless donations but add the heart and soul of their work has been volunteers.
Among those are two bus drivers from McDowell County Schools. School remains out while leaders work to establish a return plan.
However, that’s not stopping the bus drivers from contributing to their community’s needs.
“We can’t make it without those ladies. They’ve been here everyday cooking, cleaning, delivering. They bring their kids which is the biggest thing. They’re pretty good help but the kids are the best part,” said Elliott Godfrey, volunteer for The Refuge.
The two groups say they want people affected to know that they’re not alone on their journey to recovery. They encourage people to not be afraid when it comes to reaching out for help.
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