Kislyak Home Flood 2019

It is more blessed to give then to receive, states the Bible.  We would rather be on the giving end of the equation, however the horrific flash flood that tore through my parents home on the night of October 31, 2019  has totally devastated our life. 

The flood waters rose so fast, there was no time to save anything.  My dad and brother Danny tried to hold the back door to keep the waters out but it was busted open, throwing them ten feet away, hurting my dad in the process.  It rose to over five feet in matter of minutes.  We thank God that they were able to escape to the second floor.  The flood waters carried in a lot of mud inside the home and on the whole property that will have to be excavated out.

My parents have lost everything on their property except for the second floor of the home that has their clothing and beds.  Everything else is gone: winter clothes and shoes, kitchen, all appliances, washer/drier, boiler, heating system, my brothers room, beloved honeybees and chickens, garage and everything in it, all their cars and machinery, root cellar with stockpile of homegrown potatoes that were supposed to last us through the next planting season, along with all of mom’s homemade preserves.

My dad started building of this property back in 1999 One brick at a time, working a minimum wage job while raising seven of us.  His teenage sons were his helping hands. And daughters were interior designers, picking out tiles and moldings.

For those who know my mom, know that she is a behind the scenes worker of kindness.  She’s always in the church kitchen peeling potatoes to every church event, helping her church family, as well as her 7 kids and 14 grand kids.  Always supporting with donations those that are in need.

Unfortunately, they will not be receiving any financial assistance from insurance for various reasons.  Parents are near retirement age and it is impossible for them to recover and rebuild on their own.

It is now time for all of us to rally around my parents and support them in this difficult trial.  If you have it in your heart to help in any way, it would go a long way. Every gesture of support is appreciated.  And may God bless you a thousand times for your support and kindness.


(Dad and Mom)

(Our family at our first Thanksgiving at the house 2001)