Help Uncle John After the Kentucky River Flooded His House

On April 5th, the Kentucky River flooded and took nearly everything my Uncle John had. He’s a lifelong Kentuckian with a kind soul who’s always been there for others—and now he’s facing the aftermath of something no one should have to go through.

John lives in Versailles, KY, in a house right along the river—a home he’s lived in for decades, ever since I was a child.

He had no warning and no time to prepare—he was away, pet-sitting for a friend, when the flood came. By the time he returned, the water had already taken over. His beloved cat, his companion, was nowhere to be found.

He kayaked into his flooded home in search of that cat and managed to save the only things he could: a few of his late father’s paintings and his dad’s old six-shooter revolver. In one photo, as he paddles through what used to be his living room, you can see a picture of his three nieces—me included—still hanging on the fridge. That’s who he is. Family is everything to him.

Out where he lives, country dogs and cats make their rounds—and they always stop at Uncle John’s. He’s known for sharing his lunch and his time with any animal who wanders his way. They seem to sense he’s one of the good ones.

He’s been a constant source of love and steadiness for all of us—his nieces, nephews, and now even our kids. I’m one of those lucky nieces, and I couldn’t imagine being in his shoes. I just wanted to find a small way to ease the weight of his world being turned upside down.

If you feel inclined to help, your support—of any kind—means more than you know. And if you’re not in a place to give, sharing his story can make a world of difference.

He would never ask for help himself—but I know there are people out there who’d want to show up for someone like him. Let’s show Uncle John that he’s not alone—and that kindness always comes back around. A country boy can survive!!