Flooded, But Not Broken: Help This Tennessee Family Rebuild

Help the Humphrey Family and Their Neighbors Rebuild After the Tennessee Flood

An aerial view of the Humphrey family home in Bogota, TN, shows it encircled by a homemade levee amidst overwhelming floodwaters. Their farmhouse now sits like a tiny island in what was once their front pasture. In early April, a catastrophic flood swept through Bogota, Tennessee, submerging entire neighborhoods. Amy Humphrey’s home was miraculously protected by a homemade dirt levee built by her sons, Justin and Tucker. These brothers worked in shifts for days, piling earth and sandbags to keep the rising waters at bay. Thanks to their grit, quick thinking, and the support of neighbors, the Humphreys’ home still stands. It’s an incredible testament to their late father’s lessons and the resilience of both their family and community.

The Flood and the Homemade Levee: A Father’s Legacy

Justin and Tucker, known locally as the “Humphrey Boys,” learned how to defend their home from floods from their late father, Mike Humphrey. Every time a major storm was forecast when he was alive, their dad, an experienced farmer and handyman, would rally the family to build makeshift dikes around the house. He taught his sons how to dig trenches, pile sandbags, and create earthen dams to redirect water. Sadly, he passed away a few years ago, but his spirit lived on this past week as his sons took up his mantle. When the warnings of flash floods came, the Humphrey Boys honored their father’s memory in the most practical way imaginable. They grabbed shovels, fired up the old tractor, and started building a protective wall of earth just as he had taught them.

For days, Justin and Tucker worked in shifts, leading the charge to build and maintain the levee as the floodwaters rose. But they weren’t alone. Friends, family, and neighbors came together to help however they could, bringing supplies, lending equipment, and offering extra hands to reinforce the levee before it was too late. It was a true community effort, driven by the boys' determination and the lessons their father had passed down. The work was grueling, the rain relentless, and the emotional toll heavy, but no one gave up. In the end, their teamwork paid off. The floodwaters never breached the final wall of defense. The Humphreys’ home remained dry, a beacon of resilience and community spirit surrounded by a muddy sea.

House Saved, But the Farm and Community Were Hit Hard

While the Humphreys are deeply grateful that their home is safe, the floodwaters still caused significant damage to their family’s farm.

The incredible levee that saved their home also came at a cost. It was built with borrowed equipment, long hours of labor, and out-of-pocket materials. Unfortunately, it won’t be covered by insurance.

They are not alone in their loss. Amy’s mother lost her home and is now displaced for quite a while, and many neighbors in Bogota were hit even harder. The Humphreys are committed not just to rebuilding their own farm but to helping others in their town who are trying to recover from the same storm. This fundraiser will also allow them to give back to the community that came together to help them.

Who I Am and Why I’m Organizing This Fundraiser

Hello, my name is Mayra, and I’m a friend of the Humphrey family. When I saw what this flood did to their farm and community, I knew I had to do something. Amy is the kind of person who would give you the shirt off her back and never ask for anything in return. Now she and her boys want to help their neighbors rebuild, and I’m doing what I can to help make that possible.

I’ve been in close contact with the family throughout this disaster. I’m organizing this GoFundMe on their behalf, with Amy’s permission. Every dollar raised will go directly to the Humphrey family to aid in their recovery and to support others in their community who were also impacted by the flood.

Once the fundraiser is complete, I’ll ensure the funds are transferred safely and directly to them. Whether that’s through GoFundMe’s direct beneficiary system or another secure method, I’ll be fully transparent and accountable. You can trust that your generosity will reach them quickly and in full.

How Your Donations Will Be Used

The money raised through this fundraiser will help the Humphrey family replace what the flood took and support their neighbors in Bogota who were affected just as and even more severely.

Cleanup and Rebuilding Costs: Covering the cost of debris removal, soil restoration, and renting specialized equipment like water pumps or excavators to speed up recovery.

Helping Others in Bogota: Providing support to neighbors in need, including Amy’s displaced mother. The family plans to share resources, offer financial help, and contribute directly to local recovery efforts.

Every contribution will directly support these priorities and help this tight-knit community recover together. If we surpass the fundraising goal, any extra funds will go toward ongoing recovery efforts or be saved as a future emergency fund for the family and their neighbors.

A Family’s Resilience and a Town Worth Rallying Around

Throughout this entire ordeal, the Humphreys have shown strength, courage, and humility. They didn’t wait for help. They worked, they led, and they inspired. With the support of their community, they built a levee that protected their home when floodwaters rose. Now, as they face the aftermath and try to rebuild, they are thinking not only of themselves but of those around them.

This GoFundMe is a way to keep that spirit going. Whether you can give five dollars or five hundred, you’re not just helping one family. You’re helping a community that came together in the face of disaster and refused to give up.

If you’re not in a position to donate, please consider sharing this story with others. Every bit of support makes a difference. On behalf of the Humphreys and their neighbors, thank you for your time, your generosity, and your belief in the power of community.