“Troublesome Rising: A Thousand-Year Flood in Eastern Kentucky,” edited by Melissa Helton, is a powerful anthology that captures the profound impact of a catastrophic flash flood that struck Central Appalachia in late July 2022. This devastating event claimed the lives of over forty individuals and left countless homes and communities in ruins. The anthology serves as both a historical document and an exploration of the emotional and cultural ramifications of such disasters.

The flood occurred during the forty-fifth annual Appalachian Writers’ Workshop at Hindman Settlement School, where participants were forced to seek higher ground as waters surged. The school itself suffered significant losses, including classrooms, housing, and valuable artifacts from its archives. As the floodwaters receded, it became clear that many lives had been irrevocably altered.