Images from downtown Neon, Kentucky after the 2022 Flooding. The building in the left pictures had 7 feet of water rush through. Photos courtesy of HOMES, INC.
All volunteers will be expected to observe and adhere to the BDM Health Safety and Illness Policy for serving on a rebuilding site.
During the week of July 25, 2022, a single storm system moved across multiple states causing flash flooding from Missouri to parts of Virginia and West Virginia. The flooding resulted in damaged homes and buildings, loss of life, and whole towns left underwater, especially in the greater St. Louis, Mo. area and a large area of southeastern Kentucky.
In Kentucky, the overwhelming amounts of rain from these thunderstorms and resultant flooding led to 44 deaths and widespread catastrophic damage. Entire homes and parts of some communities were swept away by flood waters, leading to costly damage to infrastructure in the region. Over 600 helicopter rescues and countless swift water rescues by boat were needed to evacuate people who were trapped by the quickly rising flood waters.
In the 13 counties that received a federal disaster declaration, more than 13,000 families applied for Individual Assistance from FEMA. Letcher County was one of the four counties hit hardest by the flooding. Census data from 2022 shows that over 22% of the population lives in poverty and affordable housing was an issue prior to the flooding.
A BDM rebuilding site opened the week of September 8, 2024, to work with a local affordable housing non-profit in southeastern Kentucky. HOMES, Inc’s mission is to provide affordable housing for low to moderate income families in Letcher County and surrounding counties. These affordable housing solutions include energy efficient homebuyer opportunities, quality home repairs and rental opportunities. They have been providing these services to the community since 1984 but their work and the need has been compounded by the 2022 flooding that swept the area.
BDM will serve qualified families identified by HOMES, Inc in Letcher and surrounding counties to build new homes at least through the end of February 2026. The operations of this project were supported with a $5,000 UPS Long Term Recovery Grant in August 2025 through a partnership with the UPS Foundation and National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster.
For more details on what this project is like check out these videos, and please share them with others that are interested in serving.
Letcher County, Ky., Project Overview
Media Coverage and Videos of the Tornado and Aftermath
HOMES, Inc Website and Facebook Page and news:
https://www.homesincorporated.org/
https://www.facebook.com/homeseky
https://www.wymt.com/2023/12/19/new-home-offers-hope-again-organization-begins-build-family-home-lost-flood-fire/
Schedule
Find the most up-to-date schedule here.
Housing
Volunteer housing is located at a HOMES, Inc property that includes three former model homes that have been transformed into two bunk houses and one for dining and a common gathering area. Project leaders will be housed on this property as well as in a home owned by HOMES, Inc. Job sites will be a 10–20-minute drive.
Volunteer Housing: 180 Ball Park Road, Fleming-Neon, KY
Mailing Address
Brethren Disaster Ministries
ATTN: (recipient’s name)
191 Rozeboom Rd
Fleming-Neon, KY 41840
Contact
Email: BDMletchercountyky@gmail.com
Meals
Meals are prepared in the kitchen at the housing site. Volunteer groups are asked to include an assistant household leader/cook. Volunteers will be asked to help with kitchen cleanup.
Work
The type of work in Letcher County, Kentucky will include building new homes to replace previous homes and residences that were destroyed by flooding. This will include all phases of new builds from framing to finishing and your work will depend on the current stage of the homes we are working on. There will also likely be repair work on homes impacted by the flooding. Tools, vehicles, and leadership are provided.
Travel
Groups must send registration forms and mode of travel plans to BDMletchercountyky@gmail.com at least 2 weeks prior to your scheduled trip.
Upon arrival, BDM Project Leaders will welcome you and collect any incomplete paperwork. They will orient you to the project, covering such topics as house rules, work schedule, safety, tools, daily devotions, expectations, etc. Orientation does not begin until all participants arrive.
Driving
Arrival time for volunteers on Sunday evening will be between 6:00 pm and 6:30 pm with volunteer groups having eaten supper BEFORE arrival at the housing facility. We recommend that you enjoy one of the many dining options along your route before arriving at the housing facility.
Driving Directions
Driving directions can be obtained by reaching out to the BDM office.
Flying
There are no airports close to our housing site. Because of this we strongly recommend that you do not plan to fly. If you or your group choose to fly, you will be responsible for your transportation from the airport to the project housing and back to the airport when you leave. Please contact project leadership to discuss this before making any flight arrangements.
