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KENTUCKY WEATHER

Flood Relief Teams Rely on Horeses to Reach Stranded Eastern Kentuckians



It's a phrase made famous by beloved TV host Fred Rogers: "Look for the helpers."

For many people stranded in their homes tucked in the hills of Eastern Kentucky following July's catastrophic flooding, some of "the helpers" arrived on four legs.

"(These people) had not seen another human in a couple of days," said local horse trainer Hunter Stidham.

Stidham is one of several members of the Breathitt Horseman's Association who knew they could help as they watched their community grapple with the aftermath of the flood.

"They actually told us they didn't think we would make it to some of these places on horses," said Stidham. "We made it."

One of the homes that had been cut off from everything else --? due to washed out culverts and roads in addition to the mud slides happening all around --? was home to a newborn baby.

"The baby was just a few weeks old," said Stidham "We were able to get baby supplies and bottled water to them."

SUVs, side-by-sides and ATVs could only get so far in many areas, leaving dozens of Eastern Kentuckians --? many who were without power and running water --? without any outside access to necessities or refuge.

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Categories: Kentucky, Livestock

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