LEXINGTON, Ky. — Community members in Central Kentucky are working to raise donations for those affected by the flooding in southeastern Kentucky. 

Brooke Otis said the devastation from the flood waters was a sight that broke her heart. 

“These shelters you’re talking about, there was one child that I saw that still had mud all over it because they don’t have running water,” Otis recalled.

Otis went down to southeastern Kentucky this weekend after hearing from friends and family who lost everything. And that’s when she knew she had to do something. 

“The goal was initially $2,400 and then fast forward to Saturday morning, I was able to get two people to drive two semi trucks from Mount Sterling. That’s where I’m originally from and [we] had [the trucks] full of water,” Otis said.

That goal of $2,400 turned into raising over $24,000 in 48 hours. 

“It’s one of those things that I was just like, I’m gonna do this and I know that money will come and it has, so that’s just been like the biggest blessing,” Otis said.

Monday morning Otis set up outside of the parking lot of Costco in Hamburg and collected donations, like nonperishable food items, hygiene products and cleaning supplies. 

“I think that hopefully as more people nationally get involved and more people you know that have more access to these things that’s getting better, but the situation right now is not good,” Otis said.

Otis is asking for people to help where they can, and to keep the people of southeastern Kentucky in their prayers. 

They plan to make a few trips to Perry county this week, and will plan to make this a weekly set up in the Costco parking lot if need be. Otis is also collecting donations through her Venmo: @elizabeth-otis.