In 2022, grant support from the ENCORE Ministry Foundation helped fund rebuilding four destroyed or flood-damaged homes owned by senior adults in Waverly, Tennessee. Appalachia Service Project, a Christian ministry that provides critical home repair and replacement in central Appalachia, oversaw the work.
Between midnight and 10 a.m. on Saturday, August 21, 2021, heavy rainfall resulted in widespread flash flooding across western Middle Tennessee, including Waverly. Tragically, the flood caused 20 fatalities and wiped-out hundreds of homes in the rural community. One home destroyed by the flooding was owned by Eileen Puckett.
“I was home that morning relaxing and enjoying a cup of coffee,” said Puckett, “when all of a sudden someone pounded on my door yelling, ‘Evacuation order, get out!’ I went into the bedroom, put on a pair of shorts and a T-shirt, and went to my front door to see what it looked like outside.
“My car was already going across the road — the water was carrying it away. It was too late. I was trapped and there wasn’t a whole lot I could do. My house ended up going off of the foundation with me still in it. By the time rescue workers came in a boat, the water was receding. But there had been about five feet of water inside my house — I know because the water mark was by the light switches.”
Puckett and her cats were rescued through a window from the home. Her only other possessions were a few items in a tote bag.
“The rescue workers took us up the street – maybe four or five houses – and dropped us off. I’m thinking, ‘Okay, what do I do now?’”
Post flood, Puckett discovered her home was not covered by flood insurance. FEMA was unable to help because the home was in a floodplain — it cut through the corner of her front porch.
Puckett was connected with a staff member from Appalacian Service Project (ASP) who shared that they would be able to help rebuild her home. Through generous support of donors, part of the funding to help rebuild Puckett’s home came from an ENCORE Ministry Foundation grant. Construction began in early April 2022.
“ASP staff handed me the keys on May 19, 2022. They built the house that fast!”
Over the course of eight months, Eileen went from owning a home, to renting an efficiency apartment, to moving back into a paid-for home.
“Being over 65 and on a fixed income — Social Security and small pension — and thinking about starting a new 30-year mortgage scared the heck out of me. Before the flood, my home was paid for and was my retirement. After the flood, I was wondering if I would have to go back to work. I had nightmares, anxiety, and stress.”
However, that fear was eliminated thanks in part to ENCORE Ministry Foundation and ASP. Puckett and other senior adults in Waverly received support to rebuild not only their homes but their lives. To learn more about how ENCORE Ministry Foundation is making a difference in the lives of older adults such as Eileen Puckett, click here.
