Ron and Pam Hendrix Flood Relief Fund
My name is Hannah, and I am one of the extremely proud daughters of Ron and Pam Hendrix. My parents are two of the most compassionate, kind, and selfless people I have ever met, and according to the 'strangers' that have come up to me in our grocery store to tell me they love them, I am not the only one who thinks so.
On Wednesday, August 18th, only one year after purchasing and renovating their dream home, and moving close to their grandchildren, two flash floods destroyed their property, belongings, all equipment for my father's business, and their forever home. Over the last year, my parents poured everything they had into this home. This was their life savings and their future.
Just before 4am Wednesday morning my dad was woken up by the sound of water coming through their bedroom door. He was shocked to step into thick mud when going to investigate. They entered the main part of the house and water had been pouring in through the dog door. It was ankle deep inside and at least a foot high against the glass backdoor by the time they were able to stop it from coming further into the house. Nearly immediately family members and neighbors started coming to help using shovels, tractors, anything they could, to start to help clear the house and prepare channels in the yard to help in the case of another flood.
Just after 9am I was standing in their kitchen covered in mud while most of the helpers and my dad worked diligently on the back yard. I heard my dad yell, “Get the tractors out of here! Run! The flood is coming!” I looked up to see a rush of mud and logs barreling down the bank and quickly starting to pour into the backyard. People inside the house made sure every door and window was locked and ultimately my sister, grandma, and mom were evacuated in the bucket of a loader.
Upon returning to the house we found a much more devastating scene than earlier that morning, and that was already heartbreaking to say the least. The front doors to the house couldn’t hold out the mud and water. Each room in the house flooded. The garage door was forced open and flooded multiple feet high. My dad’s shop doors also burst open. Inside the shop was, classic cars, multiple pieces of heavy equipment, a car lift, forklifts, near countless tools and more that was multiple feet deep in thick mud.
My parents are not the kind to ask for help, so at this time my sisters and I would like to on their behalf. They have lost so much more than they could even dream to rebuild on their own. We are so beyond grateful for the incredible service we have already received. People have dropped everything to remove mud, clean what we can, bring food for those working, and so much more.
Unfortunately, moving forward there will still be so much more to do to rebuild. If you are in a place where you can help and you feel moved to do so, please consider donating towards clean up and construction. Anything and everything is greatly appreciated. If you cannot donate or even if you can, please share this out and say a prayer for Ron and Pam. We love you friends, and we appreciate you so much.
