Hazard flood victims get hit hard with snow, delaying clean-up efforts

HAZARD, Ky. (FOX 56) — Many communities that flooded over the weekend are now covered in a blanket of snow. The cold weather conditions in Hazard are delaying clean-up efforts and putting more strain on flood victims.

The floods here in Hazard have impacted several hundred people, many have lost everything. The Perry County Senior Center has been a haven for flood victims and is keeping its doors open after the city was hit hard again, this time with snow.

Over the weekend high flood waters tore through the county.

“It’s heartbreaking for everybody,” said Haley Caswell.

Caswell is now a three-time flood survivor. She said this one destroyed her home.

“Every time we hear the water it’s a constant fear,” said Caswell. It’s a constant worry. Even when it rains, it scares me. Because you never know at this point when it’s going to flood.”

Caswell said most material things can be replaced, it’s the mementos she’ll miss most. But she said she couldn’t stand the thought of leaving behind one thing- her baby’s first ultrasound pictures.

She and her fiancé are expecting a baby girl and are now planning to move away out of fear that more dangerous floods could happen.

“I don’t want to, but at the same time, I have a child that I have to worry about raising.”

County leaders say the 2022 floods were more devastating, but the damage from this one was more widespread.

“You’re looking at the worst flood on the North Fork in over 40 years,” said Jerry Stacy who serves as the Perry County Emergency Management director.

Other community members said they couldn’t believe how quickly water levels rose. Toni Sprouse said it was nothing short of a nightmare.

“All of our furniture was moved,” said Sprouse. “It turned over refrigerators and it knocked our TVs off. It destroyed everything in the trailer.”

But she and her friends are trying to stay positive.

“Rebuild, Repair. That’s all we can do.”

Stacy said snow has setback clean-up efforts and noted that a full recovery could take years.

“There’s going to be a lot of help,” said Stacy. “It’s just going to take a little while and a little cooperation with the weather in order for us to really get wound up.”

Stacy said there is a long-term recovery group that will work hard to help people impacted by the floods get back on their feet.