Paintsville community bands together in storms, floods

PAINTSVILLE, KY (WOWK) – Community members and first responders in Paintsville are making a difference and saving lives amid severe flooding left by this weekend’s storms.

Flood waters are completely covering roadways all across Paintsville, flooding homes and businesses alike. Paintsville Police Chief Danny Smith says this is one of the worst flooding events he’s seen.

“This is the most I’ve ever seen it,” Smith said. “We’re hoping in the next day or so it will start receding down. It may take a couple of days. The cleanup is going to be the big problem.”

Smith says there have been multiple water rescues, and first responders even saved a woman’s life after she was stuck in her flooded home.

“There was an elderly female. She got stranded. They got her out, and she’s in good condition,” Smith said.

With roadways still covered in water, Chief Smith is also reminding folks not to drive in high water.”

“It just takes a little bit of water to just lift your car up and push it over. It’s not worth it. If you see water, just turn around,” Smith said.

It’s been all hands on deck to keep residents safe. That’s something Paintsville resident John Hager says is important when disasters strike.

“When disaster comes about, people come out to help their neighbor, and that’s what it’s all about,” Hager says. “As a community member, it’s really heartwarming to see how this community comes together.”

Chief Smith says it will take help from everyone to move forward from this flooding event.

“Just, we’re praying for everybody in our little county and in our communities from Kentucky,” said Smith.

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear has been frequently updating the public on these storms and floods. He made the trip to hard-hit Pike County Monday afternoon. The governor declared a State of Emergency on Friday in anticipation of the storms.

The governor says 11 people have died as a result of the catastrophic floods. He says the Kentuckians who lost their lives were from Pike, Floyd, Hart, Nelson, Clay and Washington counties. West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey also confirmed one person is dead in McDowell County, West Virginia.