Manchester community looks back on flood challenges

MANCHESTER, Ky. (FOX 56) — After several days that can only be described as wet, cold, and devastating, people in Manchester looked back at last weekend’s floods, looking forward to getting back on their feet.

Among the first responders helping to get people to safety was Assistant Chief for the City of Manchester and Lockard Creek Fire Department, Brandon Adams.

“The flooding here was catastrophic to what we had seen in past years,” he said.

Adams said it all started Saturday morning around 10 a.m.

“We received our first call service, which was a vehicle in the ditch line next to some very swift-moving water. That kind of sets a precedence for Saturday. After that, for about the next 12 hours, our guys absolutely got hammered.”

He said there were 14 human rescues and 8 animal rescues, all done by a swift water recovery team made up of only Adams and three other men.

Standing in front of a small bridge that is now visible but was buried under the flood waters at their peak, Adams explained why he believes swift water rescues are the “most dangerous” type of rescue first responders can do.

“Coming downstream of this river, and this bridge catches us and we get pushed against it, that’s called a strainer. And what it does is it pins you against the current of the water, and you can’t escape from it,” he said.

As Adams, his crew, and other first responders were pulling people out of the water, many places continued to fill with water, like the Horse Creek Baptist Church.

“We’re just thankful that, you know, things weren’t worse. And we had many church members come and help clean up,” said a deacon at the church, Arvil Swafford.

Although the damage there was minimal, just down the road on KY Route 80, conditions were much worse.

The flood waters became fatal and claimed the life of 73-year-old Donald Keith Nicholson on Saturday evening.

Swafford says the community is looking toward a brighter tomorrow.

“We just look to the Lord, and he’ll help us get through it,” said Swafford.