Franklin Graham Dedicates New Homes for Flood Survivors in Kentucky

On Friday, in snowy conditions atop a mountain in eastern Kentucky, Rev. Franklin Graham dedicated 18 newly built homes in honor of families who lost everything during the devastating floods in 2022. For many survivors, this marked the first true relief they’ve felt in years.

“This is Franklin Graham,” he said in a video message. “A few years back, this area experienced a severe flood that wiped out hundreds of homes. Today, we’re dedicating 18 homes that are finished and ready for families to move into.”

The homes are part of a new subdivision, the Chestnut Ridge, which consists of 57 lots developed from scratch by Samaritan’s Purse and a group of volunteers.

“We thank God,” Graham expressed. “We couldn’t accomplish this without our partners who offer land, funding, and volunteers. These families will have a place to call home for Christmas.”

Flood survivor Laura Honycutt captured her emotions in an unfiltered video as she entered her new home for the first time. “I walk through this house, and the floors don’t sink,” she remarked, tears in her eyes. “The smell is different… It’s an indescribable feeling.” She added, “These are happy tears… really happy tears.”

For Paul Johnson, the dedication was transformative. After losing his home, he had lost his permanent address and the ability to stay on the lung transplant list. “Moving into an RV meant I was taken off that list. Now, with this home, I can get back on it,” Johnson said. “This house went beyond what I expected. It’s beautiful. I feel so blessed. It’s a wonderful day.”

The homes at Chestnut Ridge come in various sizes—two, three, or even four bedrooms. One family, with ten children, received the only five-bedroom home after spending over three years in two camper trailers since the floods. “He was just so grateful to have a place to lay his head,” shared the mother, who seemed astonished by the space. “I didn’t expect this. I can breathe!”

Among the contributors to this project were former U.S. Ambassador Kelly Craft and her husband Joe, who generously donated the land for this new division. Graham also acknowledged the efforts of local volunteers and employees from Lowe’s who came out to help with the construction.

Samaritan’s Purse is currently working to build around 100 homes throughout Kentucky, including areas hit hard by tornadoes and communities in eastern regions. They are also active in North Carolina, where recovery from Hurricane Helen is ongoing.

As the snow continued to fall, Graham prayed for the families now moving into their new homes, freed from the memories of the flooding. “We give God the glory and praise, and of course, these families will be home for Christmas,” he said, surveying the row of completed homes.