Flooding at the Kell's home
Kell's home destroyed by flooding
Inside the Kell home
Damage from Hurricane Helene flooding
Two weeks ago, Patty Kell and her husband of 60 years were living in a beautiful home along a river in an area called Rainbow Bridge, in Greeneville, Tennessee. The couple lived in their home with their daughter and son-in-law, two grandchildren and several pets. The two-story house with a third-story loft was perfect for the family. Life was good, and normal until Hurricane Helene dumped several inches of water causing the river below their home to continue to rise.
The Kell’s son-in-law watched the water rise and told his wife, “We gotta go. We gotta get your parents out of here.” He got the grandkids and their cars to the higher road above their house and went back to take care of the rest of the family. By that time, the water was above their waists.
The family was forced to go to the top floor of the home as the water rose to their chins. They managed to hold on to their two dogs and keep them from being washed away but lost four cats and a pet rabbit to the raging water before it was all said and done.
Just when the family thought there was no way to escape, other members of the community came by with a boat. As they loaded in, they soon realized that the engine wouldn’t start, prompting them to hold on to trees to keep the boat from being swept away by the massive current. Eventually, they were able to guide it to a place where they could pull themselves to what would be considered a shore.
Patty, and her husband Jack, went on to stay at an American Red Cross shelter that had opened at the Asbury United Methodist Church in downtown Greeneville. This became their new home for weeks following the storm.
Patty Kell (with her dog) speaks with a Red Cross volunteer in the Greeneville shelter.
“Every need we have had has been taken care of by the Red Cross and the church. I have no complaints, and I’ll give them the shirt off my back when I get my shirts back,” says Patty with a smile.
On October 9th, Kell went back to her home to see what she could salvage. It wasn’t much as the water caused massive damage to the family’s property. The house was still standing but it would take a lot to repair it.
“90 percent is not salvageable. Not because of the water, but because of the mud that washed into our home,” Patty expressed.
Remnants of mud up the side of her house, almost to the roof are now visible. Patty shared that she didn’t have flood insurance because she was told she wasn’t in a flood zone. Hurricane Helene would quickly change that.
On the day she was inspecting the damage, Patty got a surprise visit from some local leaders and none other than country superstar Morgan Waller, who is also from East Tennessee.
Patty shared, “I was very impressed that he [Wallen] was taking time out of his career to help people who don’t have anything. He told me: ‘I’m sorry for what happened but we are going to do what we can to raise money for you.’”
Morgan Waller generously donated $500,000 to the American Red Cross immediately following Hurricane Helene and has received praise and many thanks from his fans and the American Red Cross alike.
As for the Kell family, they are working with the Red Cross shelter transition team to make connections to agencies that can help them get back to a sense of normalcy. Patty shared that she hopes she can renovate or rebuild their home in the same location. One of the leaders at Asbury Church offered to help the family rebuild and Patty says this is a connection she wouldn’t have made if she didn’t come to the church for shelter.
Patty shared, “I just want to say that you’ve done everything for us. I had no idea what all the Red Cross did. Now I’m more educated and can press upon people that information. I also want to stop the rumors about people not being treated right at the Red Cross. You got to use your common sense. It’s not true.”
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