Powerful New Documentary Tells the Story of Kentucky’s Historic 2022 Floods

2022 Eastern Kentucky Flooding

It's been four years since heavy rains triggered power outages, mudslides, and historic flooding in eastern Kentucky. Between July 25th and July 30th of 2022, there were times when it was falling at a rate of four inches per hour. Horrifying, untenable.

According to National Weather Service estimates, Kentucky Appalachia recorded up to 16 inches of rain over the five days. Nearby locations that didn't receive as much still dealt with upwards of 10 inches of rainfall. Ultimately, 45 people lost their lives.

RISING

Labeled a "1,000-year rain event," it was the deadliest flood in more than 80 years, and it is now the subject of a new documentary called RISING, which is available to stream on Prime Video.

The devastation also included the destruction of 500 homes out of the nearly 3,300 that sustained damage. More than 11,000 people were directly impacted.

In RISING, you'll see and hear accounts from survivors, other community members, and first responders. You'll also hear from federal, state, and local leaders, as well as non-profit partners.

The film, which was announced last September and premiered at a forum in Prestonsburg that same month, has been reviewed by former Kentucky poet laureate and New York Times best-selling author Silas House, who called it "a film that leaves the viewer feeling hopeful and inspired by what people and government can do when they work together, and when elected officials truly care about – and serve – their constituents."

RISING is free to stream for those with a Prime membership. It is also available to buy or rent.

[SOURCE: WHAS11]