Madison Sheriff's Office delivers truckload of supplies to Kentucky flooding victims

Johnny Casey, Asheville Citizen Times
·4 min read
Sheriff Buddy Harwood delivered a truckload of supplies to flooding victims in Hazard, Ky. on July 31. Yancey County Sheriff Shane Hilliard and Haywood County Sheriff Greg Christopher also assisted with collecting supplies from residents.
Sheriff Buddy Harwood delivered a truckload of supplies to flooding victims in Hazard, Ky. on July 31. Yancey County Sheriff Shane Hilliard and Haywood County Sheriff Greg Christopher also assisted with collecting supplies from residents.
  • Oops!
    Something went wrong.
    Please try again later.

HAZARD, Ky. -- Madison County residents, including Sheriff Buddy Harwood, stepped up to the plate July 31 to assist Kentucky families in need after devastating floods have left 37 people dead and many more homeless.

"We're collecting money, supplies and loading trailers," Harwood said. "All of the proceeds will go to the residents of Hazard, Kentucky."

Harwood was in Perry County, Kentucky, July 31 to deliver the supplies to the residents affected by the floods.

"We took 14 pallets up (July 31), and I discovered it was a whole lot worse than I anticipated," Harwood said.

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear issued an update July 31.

“We are still focused on meeting the immediate needs of providing food, water and shelter for thousands of our fellow Kentuckians who have been displaced by this catastrophic flood,” Beshear said. “At the same time, we have started on the long road to eventual recovery.”

As of Aug. 2, 37 people had died from complications resulting from flooding in eastern Kentucky.
As of Aug. 2, 37 people had died from complications resulting from flooding in eastern Kentucky.

The governor toured the flood-damaged area July 31 with stops in Hazard (Perry County), Leburn (Knott County), Hindman (Knott County) and Whitesburg (Letcher County). He said as of July 31, 359 survivors were being temporarily sheltered at 15 shelters and at two state parks and campgrounds.

According to Harwood, MCSO teamed up with Hearts with Hands, an Asheville-based disaster relief outreach organization to administer the supplies.

MCSO is also accepting donations for Hindman County, Kentucky, and is seeking food, cleaning supplies, household items, children's items, bedding, toiletries, paper supplies, water and pet food/litter.

Harwood said a Madison County resident contacted him Aug. 3 about donating his time to assist the flooding victims, as the resident owns a back hoe and dump truck.

"He called and said he felt like he really needed to help the victims," Harwood said.

Harwood said he put the Madison resident in touch with Perry County (Kentucky) Sheriff Joe Engle.

Haywood County Sheriff Greg Christopher and Yancey County Sheriff Shane Hilliard also assisted with collecting supplies for the victims.

"It makes me feel good that any time we've ever had a need and I've called upon the people of Madison County and Western North Carolina, they have come forth so quick and gave wholeheartedly," Harwood said, adding that his office has assisted families suffering from tragedies as far west as Oklahoma in his time as sheriff.

"It's not about me. I'm just a spoke in that wheel."

Upcoming events

MCSO will also be collecting school supplies from the public on Aug. 10 for Tools For Schools, an annual event the Sheriff's Office does in collaboration with Ingles and the local school system.

Harwood said the event will take place at the Marshall Ingles from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

"All those proceeds go to our kids in Madison County," he said.

On Aug. 13, the Sheriff's Office and Madison County DSS will partner for the Back 2 School Bash at the Madison County Fairgrounds, 330 Carolina Lane in Marshall, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

"We've got a number of vendors involved, and I think it'll be bigger than it's ever been before," Harwood said. "We'll have hot dogs, hamburgers, popcorn and cotton candy," Harwood said of the Back 2 School Bash. "We'll have inflatables, too. It's a three-hour block for our kids to enjoy getting some school supplies and some free stuff, and a time of having some fun before school start."

Madison County Sheriff's Office Back to School Bash will take place Aug. 13 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Madison County Fairgrounds, located at 330 Carolina Lane in Marshall.
Madison County Sheriff's Office Back to School Bash will take place Aug. 13 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Madison County Fairgrounds, located at 330 Carolina Lane in Marshall.

On Aug. 15, Madison County Schools students will be able to get free haircuts at the Sheriff's Office.

"If you're a student from Madison County Schools system and need a free haircut, come by," Harwood said. "It's just so good that people can get together again and make things happen."

Donations to assist Hindman County, Kentucky, flooding victims can be dropped off at Madison County Sheriff's Office, 348 Medical Park Drive in Marshall.

More information on the donations is available at Mars Hill Baptist Church's webiste: www.marshillbc.org/giving/.

Madison County Sheriff's Office Back 2 School Bash will take place Aug. 13 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Madison County Fairgrounds, located at 330 Carolina Lane in Marshall.

This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: MCSO helps deliver supplies to Kentucky flooding victims July 31