‘Looks like a bomb exploded’: Middleburg woman gives firsthand account of eastern Kentucky flooding damage

Angel Shepherd made it to her aunt’s home

BREATHITT COUNTY, Ky. – News4JAX has been following a Middleburg woman whose family is in Kentucky.

Angel Shepherd packed up her car to the brim on Tuesday with water bottles, cups, snacks, blankets, clothing and more to make a 12-hour drive to her the home of her aunt, Barb Turner, and her aunt’s husband, Ossie Turner, in Jackson, Kentucky.

When she arrived, Shepherd got a firsthand look at the destruction.

“It looks like a bomb exploded,” Shepherd told News4JAX. “I’ve seen hurricane coverage — this doesn’t touch it.”

She told News4JAX that she also had a chance to see her family.

We have heard so much about Shepherd’s beloved “Aunt Barb.” When she arrived, Shepherd found that her 73-year-old aunt’s home suffered significant water damage on the inside. The outside area was destroyed and was still flooded.

“I was sitting in the house when it come up. It come so fast, it just shocked me,” Turner said. “It waded out up to my knees.”

Thankfully, she is safe, and even as she grapples through this, she’s keeping her spirits high and is still smiling.

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We asked Turner what she thought about all of these people coming together to support her.

“I just didn’t know there were people like this in the world. But the good Lord says they are,” Turner said.

VIDEO: Click the play button below to watch the full interview with Angel Shepherd and her aunt.

Angel Shepherd shared damage photos from her family's home in Breathitt County, Kentucky.

It’s still hard to believe, but their perseverance and gratitude are unmatched.

“That’s a miracle to me, that there are people out there that care about me. I’m a nobody,” Turner said, laughing.

Shepherd responded, “No, you’re somebody. You’re somebody special, and we love you.”

Shepherd launched a GoFundMe page to help her family — and the community at large — rebuild. It’s a process that will not be easy.


About the Author:

Ashley Harding joined the Channel 4 news team in March 2013. She reports for and anchors The Morning Show.