KayJay and Warren Camp are in Knox County, KY. These two close knit communities got their start as early coal mine camps. The cluster of homes were devastated on June 19 and 20 when a down-burst of rain dumped several inches of rain in a short period of time which resulted in a wall of water rushing down a narrow valley. The wall pushed homes off their foundations and downstream. Neighbors were horrified to see another neighbor drown when his mobile home was washed into a bridge and submerged by the rushing water. Their very fabric of life has been torn apart, including the one community facility they had...and that is the community park. It was the only community gathering place and it was washed over as well. FEMA assistance was made available to the residents on September 1, but it won't be enough as the 60 households most impacted will have to rebuild their very lives. Knox County officials describe these communities as isolated, and literally at the end of the road. There will be much to do to restore these families, and their isolation is a concern.

To help these impoverished communities, local authorities have established a long-term recovery committee through the Christian Appalachian Project. The area’s emergency management director, says the goals are to repair homes, rebuild a park, replace lost vehicles, and fund counseling for children.

To support these coal communities and CAP’s work in Appalachia, Donate Now.