In a tragic tale from Kentucky, four young children were swept from their parents’ grasp. After being washed away in the floods, which have so far claimed the lives of at least 28 people, Amber Smith and Riley Noble’s children, ages 1 to 8, were later found dead.
At 2 a.m., the couple received a flash flood warning. The family quickly climbed to the top of their trailer on Thursday to wait out the flood. The parents held on to their kids tightly as they watched their house get swept away, and they were able to float to a nearby tree where they yelled for help.
The children were eventually pulled away by the current despite Smith and Noble’s best efforts to keep hold of them. They were thrown into the water as the roof’s underside washed away while they were standing on it.
They managed to get to a tree and … held the children a few hours before a big tide came and washed them all away at the same time,” said Brittany Trejo, a close family member. The parents were stranded on the tree for eight hours, grieving the loss of their four children all at the same time.
Trejo put up a GoFundMe campaign to help with the funeral services and in support of the family. Towards the end of the campaign, they raised $73,108 total for the family. As the tragedy was declared by FEMA to be a natural disaster, the funeral services will be paid for. The money they raised will now be used to rebuild the small family’s home.
The bodies of Riley Jr. (6), and Nevaeh Noble (4), were recovered the same day, while the bodies of Maddison Noble (8), and Chance Noble (1 ½), were found the next morning in the Knott County community of Montgomery.
Family members remembered the young family as being very close-knit. Riley and Chance were frequently playing together, and even after they passed away, their bodies were discovered the closest to one another, according to the kids’ uncle Steven Smith.
Governor Andy Beshear said that there are people still missing as a result of the floods. “We do know of additional bodies that have been recovered but we cannot confirm those deaths at this time,” said Beshear.
Along with significant property and infrastructure damage, thousands of people have been forced to relocate. Beshear confirmed that efforts were being made by government officials to create additional shelter options. He also gave the populace a heads-up to expect more rain in the days ahead.
We’ve got rain and maybe even a lot of rain that’s going to hit the same areas. Please pray for the people in these areas. And if you are in the areas that are going to get hit by rain, make sure you stay safe. Make sure you have a place that is on higher ground. Go to a shelter. Just please, please be safe,” the governor added.
In tragic times, it can be hard to trust God. But nevertheless, He is still in control, and we can always rely on His plans and ways. Let us continually pray for comfort for the grieving family.