Volunteers help Harlan County families clean up after flash flood

HARLAN CO., Ky. (WYMT) -Harlan County officials are continuing to assess damage from a flash flood, and local volunteers are already helping with cleanup efforts.

Roads are open, but the need for help is growing as more rain falls.

Volunteers dropped off donations at distribution sites Wednesday. For Sean Daniels, the mission is simple: be where the need is.

That need is now in the back of a van filled with bleach, brooms and buckets.

“The whole reason that we exist is to try to reach out into our communities and help anytime there’s a need,” said Sean Daniels of Harlan Mission Outreach.

That need is great in Harlan County. Tuesday’s sudden flooding left homes soaked and families overwhelmed.

Judge-Executive Dan Mosley said all county roads are now back open. The path to recovery inside homes is still blocked by mud and debris.

“The main need that they had was mainly cleaning supplies, things like Clorox, mops, brooms... garbage bags, things like that,” Daniels said.

Subway provided sandwiches for those who have spent the day scrubbing floors.

Daniels said while the physical work is tough, the emotional toll is heavi...