Here’s what we all know to this point about a few of the victims.
Nellie Mae Howard, 82
Joe Engle, the sheriff of Perry County, interrupted his seek for flood victims over the weekend to bury a liked certainly one of his personal in Chavies, Ky. Sheriff Engle, who’s a pastor, mentioned that strolling by religion, somewhat than by sight, could be the theme of his sermon as a result of that was how his great-aunt, Nellie Mae Howard, had lived.
Through the storm, Ms. Howard sheltered on the dwelling of her daughter, Patricia Collins, in line with Angel Campbell, Ms. Collins’s daughter. However at round 1 a.m. on Thursday, Ms. Campbell noticed a Fb publish from a cousin saying that the flood had submerged the enclave of properties the place her mom lived.
Because the hours handed, she discovered that her mom had been discovered and was alive. Her grandmother’s physique was found Friday morning.
Ms. Campbell mentioned her mom advised her that water had rushed into the lounge, setting furnishings and home equipment afloat and finally washing Ms. Collins and Ms. Howard out of the house. Ms. Collins turned wedged up in opposition to a neighbor’s dwelling, with free lumber piled on prime of her. It took practically two hours for neighbors to dig her out, Ms. Campbell mentioned.
When a search celebration positioned Ms. Howard’s physique, her grandson, Chris Collins, lifted her up, Ms. Campbell mentioned. He checked for a pulse, realizing he would discover none, and cleaned the mud from her face. Then, he waited together with her for hours till a rescue boat arrived.
Amongst Ms. Howard’s journals, the household mentioned, had been lyrics to a music by the Gaither Vocal Band fastidiously written in her handwriting: “When my eyes are closed in dying with my Jesus I’ll be at relaxation. You then’ll know I’m glad.”