CARLISLE, Ky. — A Yellowstone camper is what Carlisle resident Sherry Uptegraft lives in now. It has a temporary fix to the flood that condemned the home she lived in for 30 years. The camper is her son’s, something he bought prior to the flood to have an extra vehicle. The same vehicle that has been the saving grace for Uptegraft after the historic flooding that happened July 29-30.
What You Need To Know
- Kentucky's March 1997 flood ranks as record rainfall (NWS)
- Jerry Johnson serves on the Carlisle Chamber of Commerce
- Sherry Uptegraft’s home was condemned in the Carlisle flood
- Uptegraft lives in her son’s camper next to his home
“This is just my kitchen sink. It has kind of piled up. It is just what I have. I do not use the oven or the stove because we only have a small propane tank. I do have some closets for what things I was able to save,” said Uptegraft.
Uptegraft lost almost everything in the flood. In the camper, she gets ready in a micro bathroom, but she doesn't know what she would do without her son's camper. When she thinks back on the night of the flood, she is grateful to be alive.
“Oh, it was one of the most scary things I have ever lived through. It was raining so hard, I thought it would never stop. You could not see where you were walking because you were in water. I thought I was going to slip, fall, die or lightning was going to hit me,” said Uptegraft.
The University of Kentucky Climate Consortium tackles and studies floods like this. They use tools like the National Weather Service to track flooding in Kentucky. The flood of March 1997 hit neighboring towns Paris and Cynthiana with 18 and 20 feet flood stages, some of the highest in the state, but Uptegraft feels it does not even compare to this summer’s flood.
“It [July 2021 Carlisle flood] washed everything away. I had a building in the back. The one in 1997, I had a swimming pool in the back and it did not budge. It did not do anything besides get water in my yard,” said Uptegraft.
Uptegraft lost clothes, shoes, important documents and furniture which is why the Carlisle Chamber of Commerce has created a fund to help rebuild the community.
“We are by no means fully recovered. A lot of people are trying to decide what are going to be their future plans. As the Chamber, we are trying to assist them any way we can. Emotionally it has been a very difficult for everyone," said Johnson.
It is going to take time for residents like Uptegraft to get on their feet and that is why she is so heartbroken. She has lived in Carlisle all of her life and this is all she has ever known.
“I have a place to stay but it is not my home. I lost my home. 33 years,” said Uptegraft.
The University of Kentucky Climate Consortium said flooding like this would not have been as intense without the effects of global warming. The Carlisle Chamber of Commerce said it will be distributing funds from their relief fund in the next few weeks.