CARLISLE, Ky. — The Carlisle Chamber of Commerce has begun handing out flood relief assistance to residents affected from July's flood. The Chamber says they raised nearly 121,000 dollars and plan to disburse money to 104 residents.
Sherry Uptegraft has been through the unthinkable but she tries to make the best of each day. Uptegraft remembers July’s flood like it was yesterday. She saw her most prized possessions floating in the floodwater, being swept away and never to be seen again. Her home was one of the first to be condemned with a big red ‘X’ on it. Uptegraft thankfully had a backup plan in place which was to live in her mother’s old home who passed away in December 2016. Even that home still needs repairs which is why it is so important for Uptegraft to receive money from the Carlisle Chamber of Commerce ‘Flood Relief Fund’.
“Good morning, good morning, I am better today probably than I have been for a long time. I am in my house, my mother’s house and it is pretty much remodeled and I have a lot of my furniture in. So basically right now I feel like I have a home again,” said Uptegraft.
Just a month ago Uptegraft was living in a camper owned by her son because July’s flood condemned her home, displaced her. She made the best of her situation but has been itching to get back into her home ever since the flood. Uptegraft had things pretty tough in the trailer, but was thankful to at least have a roof over her head.
“This is just my kitchen sink, it has kind of piled up. This is just what I have. I do not use the oven or the stove because we only have a small propane tank,” said Uptegraft.
Uptegraft’s home was condemned after being badly damaged by the flood, which left her to rethink her living situation like dozens of other Carlisle residents.
“It has been a tough road at my age. It is a tough road. It is awful when you are older it is really tough trying to start back over again and start your home and everything. Anything I have will help, let me tell you all. I appreciate all of you, thank all of you from the bottom of my heart,” said Uptegraft.
Uptegraft knows this money will bring her closer to the home she knew before the flood. Which is something the Carlisle Chamber of Commerce is working hard to do. Rhonda Curran Koth, serves on the Carlisle Chamber, has been in charge of managing applications and creating a formula to make sure as many residents as possible get the help they need.
“When the flood occurred at the end of July, FEMA actually did come in and assess all the houses and businesses that were impacted by the flood, they ranked them according to destroyed all the way down to just affected,” said Koth.
The flood damage is apparent even 6 months later in Carlisle but Uptegraft is optimistic she and her town will get back on their feet.
“Alright, I apologize for this but this is going to be my new kitchen, my kitchen has got to have a lot of remodeling. I have new cabinets coming, I do have my new fridge,” said Uptegraft.
Uptegraft has had the help of her son and friends, meaning she was able to clean some of her furniture and now with money from the chamber she can even buy some new items. Uptegraft’s dog Kita is still by her side, the duo has proved anything is possible. The Carlisle Chamber of Commerce says there will be another round of funds to disburse for flood survivors nearing Christmas. The additional relief will be for residents that did not get any funds this round. Applications can be submitted to the Carlisle Chamber of Commerce at the Neal welcome center on Main Street at the Neal Building.