The July 19th, 2023 flood was challenging for Sally Isbell, but thankfully, her damage was less severe than that of many other affected homes, with most of the damage confined to her laundry room. Living close to the creek, Sally watched as the water overflowed, flooding her neighborhood. Sheetrock and flooring were damaged and some of her clothes had to be thrown away. Her washer and dryer no longer worked, and her stove faced issues. “I counted my blessings because many people were far worse off than I was.” Although numerous homes near the creek were flooded, having survived a tornado, Sally felt confident she could get through this as well.

The most immediate challenge Sally faced in the weeks that followed was the lack of accessible ways to do laundry. She thought to herself, “Here we go with another crisis.” Thankfully, local churches stepped in, providing free washing and drying services at the laundromat.

Long-term challenges included finding repair workers, the threat of mold setting in, and the financial strain of purchasing a new washer, dryer, and stove. Praying and watching the news helped her cope, reminding her that her situation was minor compared to others. Her mother always said, “There’s always someone worse off than you,” and Sally found herself counting her blessings time and time again.

​

Sally connected with the Mayfield Graves Long-Term Recovery Group (MGC LTRG) through friends who had experienced the 2021 tornado. They advised her to contact Diane, who proved to be very helpful. Diane kept her informed and assisted her in obtaining a new washer, dryer, and stove, all donated by a local church. Volunteer groups from MGC LTRG did a fabulous job repairing her laundry room, according to Sally.

​

The flood changed Sally's perspective on life, reinforcing the idea that “things can happen so quickly.” She always turned to God, with her church being the first place she sought solace in times of distress. What got her through the toughest moments were her health, strength, church community, prayers, and Diane from MGC LTRG. She felt immense gratitude for their support.

Her advice to others facing similar challenges in the aftermath of a natural disaster was to avoid getting caught up in negativity, focus on the positives, do what is necessary to get through it, and always count their blessings.