‘Not even the Mighty Tug River can divide a community that borders Kentucky and West Virginia after the February 16, 2025 historical flood.’—BarbiAnn Maynard, Belfry, Kentucky
Editor’s Note: This story is written by Barbi-Ann Maynard of Belfry, Kentucky, a long time activist for the environment and water rights in Martin County, Kentucky, about her political evolution, political activities and the recent flooding that devastated West Virginia and Kentucky.
I can’t sleep. I have something weighing heavy on my mind and on my heart and I have to use my voice.
The picture above is of my Dad, Jerry Maynard, who has dementia and an open diabetic foot ulcer escaping as the flood water raised. Thankfully we were able to get him to a neighbor to care for him until I could get out the next day.
I have been known around the world for many years for using my voice to bring attention to the coal slurry impoundment break and subsequent and ongoing water crisis in Martin County Kentucky and later advocacy work on Infrastructure crisis in the US. I met a lot of wonderful people that had pure hearts and empathy for their fellow man and stood up and used their voices to speak for and give a voice to many that had been suffering in silence.
Over the years I also became involved in politics. That is when I really began to see the ugliness, greed, selfishness, jealousy and more. I had to take a step back because I didn’t want to get sucked into that side of what was supposed to be a way to unite us. I began to lose hope and faith in humanity after seeing how no matter what you accomplished or the fact that you were putting yourself on the line selflessly to help the helpless, someone always put obstacles in your way, tried to discredit you, and flat out, went out of their way to make life more difficult.
With the state of America in 2025 I had become one of those that was hopeless. Then on Sunday February 16, 2025 the area of Appalachia that I call home, the Easternmost point in Kentucky and the South Easternmost point in West Virginia was hit with a historical Flood.
On Friday February 14th, I had to have a lumpectomy on both breasts removed. I am the sole caregiver for my aging father with dementia and a diabetic ulcer on his foot that he has been battling with for the past 2 years, and a myriad of other health issues. The past few months I had become so mentally, physically, and emotionally drained that I would break out in tears at any given point and I couldn’t even explain why. When asked I would reply it’s nothing and it is everything all at once.
The flood came so hard and so fast that at one point the water was rising over 3 feet per hour. I was able to get my Dad out of the house and to safety of a neighbor’s home on the hillside across the road from my home but due to my very recent surgery I was trapped. The water continued to rise and rise until I was stuck in a bedroom on the second floor with 10 foot deep water swiftly rushing all around my home. It began to snow and I had no power and no heat. I was in this predicament for 24 hours. My hope was so low that I had a loaded gun by my side and I had made my mind up that if my house began to float down the river I was going to take my own life to keep myself from dying a slow, cold, wet death. My phone was dead, I was cold and scared. I was totally alone. I was in pain from my surgery. At that moment I was done. I was at the mercy of mother nature and at the mercy of fate.
At 8:30 am on Monday February 17, 2025 I woke in my bed surprisingly warm considering I was only covered by 1 blanket. I looked out my bedroom window and saw that the water had receded and was nearing return to the rivers banks. Our Community looked like a war zone. Mud, debris, and destruction was everywhere.
I am proud of where I am from and the resilience of the people. We are givers and take care of one another but there is a time to acknowledge that there are times when we are in need and swallow our pride and admit even though we are Strong Appalachian people we sometimes need help as well.
On Tuesday, neighbors began helping neighbors. State lines and county lines disappeared. We once again became ONE COMMUNITY. Later in the week strangers began showing up offering their time and manpower in the cleanup, bringing much needed supplies, and food. Restoring our hope and faith in humanity. As things are being piled in mounds of loss and debris we are beginning to see hope. Hope in recovery and survival but also hope in people.
Many will remember this flood for the historical significance, some for the loss, but I see it as a renewed outlook on life. I survived against all odds so now I have the opportunity to share my story.
Please donate to Barbi Ann’s Go Fund Me to help the family recover their family’s losses from the flood.
