Riverside Community Suffers Tragic Flooding
There has been historic flooding again that devastated Southeastern Kentucky. This area of Kentucky is still in the recovery and rebuilding phase from the floods they experienced 18 months ago.
Because the waters reached levels in the region not seen since 1939, Riverside Christian School and Drushal Memorial Church sustained significant damage. The complex assessment is ongoing; however, we have a situational update for you.
Riverside School
- The newly constructed staff housing (2 manufactured homes on raised foundations), cabin, and maintenance buildings were almost completely submerged.
- The primary school building was submerged up to the second floor.
- The cabin, which has stood on the campus for much of the school's existence, was lifted from its historical foundation.
- Both the duplex and the staff apartment buildings, located on the south end of the campus, were deeply submerged.
- First responders in a boat had to break a hole on the second floor of the apartment building to rescue two staff members trapped inside.
- The dining hall/ dormitory, which typically escapes significant damage in floods such as these, was also under enough water to reach just under the second story.
- School Administrator Meg Asher is currently assessing the situation along with their Board Chairman and Grounds Administrator. They hope to assess the situation better as it unfolds in the coming weeks.
Drushal Memorial Brethren Church (on the Riverside School Campus)
- The water level at Drushal Memorial Brethren Church reached about four feet high inside the sanctuary, with the basement wholly submerged.
- Pastor Drewey Jones and his family also lost several pieces of personal real estate property.
- Most significantly, Pastor Drewey reported that a person from the Drushal Memorial congregation lost their life in the flood.
Krypton Brethren Church (Near Krypton, KY, Perry County)
- We have also heard from Pastor Paul Sluss of Krypton Brethren Church. The church seems to be fine at this point. Like most in the area, Pastor Paul and his family are dealing with power outages and drinking water issues.
Many are looking for a more immediate, tangible, physical response. To be clear, the state and local officials are still in the rescue phase of this disaster. School and church officials have requested that churches wait to send teams to the region until a strategy for recovery and restoration can be established.
The denomination is taking the first step with its Brethren Relief Fund. At this time, the resources from this fund are being deployed to help with the immediate needs of people in the affected area, including staff at the school and church. You and your church can help now by giving to Brethren Relief – Kentucky Flooding 2022 response. Click the link below or go to http://brethrenchurch.org/kentucky-flooding.
Finally, continue to pray for those who have lost everything in this disaster, especially those who have lost loved ones. Thank you all for your continued love and support for those in the most profound need. As we learn more, we will keep you all informed.
Sincerely,
Steven Cole
Executive Director







