Hope on the Hill: Eastern Kentucky Rebuilds and Remembers After Devastating Floods

Eastern Kentucky is still finding its footing after a series of catastrophic floods in recent years. From rebuilding homes on higher ground to honoring the memory of those lost, communities across the region are turning tragedy into hope. In 2025, two inspiring efforts – one in Perry County and one in Breathitt County – have showcased the resilience, generosity, and unity of Appalachia in the face of disaster.

Rebuilding Lives on Higher Ground

In February 2025, torrential rains unleashed deadly flash floods on mountain towns in Eastern Kentucky, compounding the devastation from a historic flood in July 2022. In places like Perry County, volunteers braved freezing winter conditions to clean out homes swamped by mud – as much as 6 to 12 inches of sludge had filled some houses when the waters receded. Local trail builder Ben Braman led crews of neighbors and out-of-state Good Samaritans in shoveling debris and muck, noting that “all that water left… anywhere from two inches to six inches to 12 inches of mud” that had to be cleared out even in the bitter cold. This immediate, gritty cleanup was only the first step. Nearly three years after the 2022 flood, many families were still displaced, and the February 2025 flood created even more need for safe housing on higher ground.

Rather than simply rebuild in the same vulnerable valleys, communities and aid groups are seizing an opportunity to build back smarter and safer. In hard-hit Perry County, a new high-ground development called Skyview has become a beacon of hope for flood survivors. The Housing Development Alliance (HDA) acquired a 50-acre hillside property to create a neighborhood out of reach of floodwaters. Volunteers from across the country have not forgotten the people of Appalachia – teams have been traveling to Hazard, KY to raise walls, hammer nails, and literally help neighbors start over on higher ground. “Hope on the Hill” is how many are describing the atmosphere, as former strangers work side by side with locals to construct sturdy, flood-proof homes that promise a fresh start.

The Skyview high-ground housing project aims to build 64 new homes for families displaced by flooding. As of mid-2025, roughly 10 houses have been completed, with more under construction each week. These aren’t just quick temporary shelters – they are well-built, permanent homes with modern insulation and utilities, designed to be low-maintenance and resilient. “They’re just going to be maintenance-free homes, which… is a gift,” said one volunteer of the quality construction being done. For families who lost everything, moving into a brand-new home on a hilltop is truly a life-changing gift. One volunteer noted how survivors’ faces light up upon seeing their new homes taking shape, calling it “really beautiful” to witness the impact of rebuilding someone’s home and life. Community members have dubbed the effort “Hope on the Hill” because it turns disaster into opportunity – literally building hope into the hillsides of Eastern Kentucky.

Crucially, this higher-ground rebuild is as much about people as it is about houses. The construction site has become a place of healing and solidarity. Volunteers like Beka Shea, who came from out of state, say the local people are “amazing” and that there’s no shame in asking for help – in fact, providing an opportunity for others to give is part of the community’s strength. Church groups, nonprofits, and ordinary citizens have poured in to help, remembering how Eastern Kentucky supported its own in past disasters. One Perry County resident reflected that after enduring back-to-back floods, “mother nature’s gotta give us a break here… we need all the help we can get,” yet noted how much faster neighbors mobilized to help this time around. That spirit of “neighbors helping neighbors” has been the silver lining amid the hardship. With each home that rises on higher ground, families not only gain safety and peace of mind, but also a reaffirmation that they are not alone – their community, and compassionate people from afar, are quite literally helping rebuild their lives.

On July 28, 2025, residents of Breathitt County gathered for a different kind of rebuilding – one of memory and spirit. That day marked three years since the catastrophic July 2022 flood, a disaster that claimed 11 lives in Breathitt County alone. In the county seat of Jackson, KY, a crowd assembled at Main Street Park for the unveiling of a permanent memorial to their lost neighbors. Organized by members of the Jackson Woman’s Club alongside local relief groups, the monument was installed in the town park so that every day, people passing by will be reminded of both the tragedy the community endured and the strength with which it persevered. Under somber skies, family members of the victims helped remove a draped cloth to reveal a black granite stone etched with the names of all eleven Breathitt County residents who lost their lives in the 2022 flood. Many in the audience quietly reached out to touch their loved ones’ names on the polished surface, tears in their eyes but pride in their hearts for how far the community has come.

What could have been a purely mournful occasion was also a celebration of resilience. One of the organizers, Dana Fugate of the Jackson Woman’s Club, spoke during the ceremony, emphasizing that the fallen will never be forgotten and that the community “continues to mourn with them and is there to support them”. The memorial, she said, also honors the resilience of the survivors and the heroic efforts of volunteers and first responders who helped save lives during the flood. In other words, the monument isn’t only about remembering the tragedy – it’s about enshrining the courage, love, and solidarity that met that tragedy. “Hopefully this will give people a way to come together and mourn together, and also look forward to the future,” Fugate added, noting that healing is an ongoing journey. The inscription of the names in stone ensures that future generations will know what happened in July 2022, but also how the community responded with heart and hope.

Local officials echoed that sentiment of hope. Jackson’s mayor, Laura Thomas, acknowledged the loss and the slow pace of recovery for some, but she used the moment to remind everyone of “the resilience of our mountain people” and the importance of neighbors continuing to love and support one another. She pointed out that even amid remembrance, progress is underway – projects to get people into safe, affordable housing are in motion, and the community is determined to keep working together to build a safer future. The memorial itself stands as a symbol of this resolve. As one Breathitt County official observed, it’s a “lasting tribute” that not only commemorates those who died, but also represents how the community has united to rebuild, mourn, and heal together. In the words of one club member, “you have a connection to everyone there… not just one or two names,” underscoring that the entire community shares in the loss and in the will to overcome it.

A small Appalachian town has truly turned its pain into purpose. What began as unimaginable heartbreak in 2022 has since inspired unity and action – from volunteer rebuilders raising new homes on a hill in Perry County, to neighbors in Breathitt County raising a monument in honor of those they lost. These efforts, though born from tragedy, are poised to go viral as uplifting examples of humanity at its best. Eastern Kentucky’s journey of recovery shows that hope can indeed spring from the hills. With every new home built on higher ground and every name etched in stone, the message rings clear: Eastern Kentucky is strong, and its people will continue to stand together, come hell or high water.

Sources: Recent news reports from Kentucky Public Radio (LPM), WYMT Mountain News, and local outlets covering Eastern Kentucky’s flood recovery.