THE FLOWERS
Rebuilding with Gratitude
Darrell and Jaunita live near a creek that has flooded in the past, so they always pay close attention when heavy rain is forecasted. “The day of the flood, the rain came so hard and so fast that there was no time to prepare.” The entire street flooded, and their backyard was completely underwater. Water inside the shed rose to thigh level and lingered well into the night.
The next morning they woke up to 1-2 inches of water covering the kitchen floor. They mopped as much as they could, but the back porch had nearly 18 inches of standing water. The damage to the house was so extensive that, a few months later, part of the floor gave way beneath them.
In the immediate aftermath of the flood, cleaning up was their biggest challenge. The washer and dryer, with electrical lines running under the floor, were unsafe to use. For weeks, they relied on the laundromat until it was safe to inspect the home wiring. A fan and dehumidifier, provided by the Mayfield Graves Long Term Recovery Group (MGC LTRG), ran continuously to help dry out the waterlogged porch.
One of the hardest parts of recovery was the constant fear of their home’s instability. They avoided inviting family over for the holidays, worried that parts of the floor might collapse. Their connection with the MGC LTRG, which had previously helped repair their home after the 2021 tornado, proved to be a lifeline. After seeing a post on Facebook about the MGC LTRG’s support with fans, dehumidifiers, and cleaning supplies, they decided to reach out.
The help they received was transformative, according to Darrel and Jaunita. The MGC LTRG and World Renew volunteer team worked tirelessly to repair the damage. “They went above and beyond to make sure everything was properly repaired,” they said. The team replaced the flooring, installed new cabinets, fixed the electrical system, replaced damaged plumbing, painted the kitchen, and even added an extra outlet. As a touching gesture, the World Renew volunteers gifted Darrel and Jaunita with a handmade quilt, which now hangs proudly on their wall.
.jpg)
The World Renew volunteers, described as “the kindest people,” came from all over the world—Texas, Canada, Wisconsin, and Minnesota. “Their support was a blessing,” they said.
Resilience has become a way of life for this family. They’ve endured a tornado and have dealt with flooding multiple times. They constantly monitor the news for weather updates and stay in touch with city officials about the ongoing problems with the nearby creek that continues to flood. Unfortunately, until those issues are addressed, Darrell, Jaunita, and their neighbors will continue to face the risk of flooding when heavy rainfall totals are forecast.
“We cannot thank the LTRG and World Renew enough for everything they did to help us recover,” they said. “They got us through some of the toughest moments of this journey. What they did for us, there are no words.”
For anyone facing similar challenges in the aftermath of a natural disaster, Darrel and Jaunita emphasize the importance of reaching out for help. “Check resources and ask questions. Talk to friends and neighbors,” they advised. This year, they are hosting Thanksgiving at their home, grateful for the support that helped them rebuild their lives.