In late July 2022, a catastrophic flash flood claimed the lives of more than forty people and devastated homes and communities in Central Appalachia. The flood also impacted attendees at the forty-fifth annual Appalachian Writers' Workshop at Hindman Settlement School in eastern Kentucky. This book includes essays and poems by folks who were affected.
I liked the photos. They added dimension and humanity to the stories.
So many of the essays also brought to mind a recent flood. History does indeed repeat itself.

Throughout the stories, poetry, nonfiction narrative, and photography presented in this volume, the heartbreaking tragedy of the Eastern Kentucky flooding of July 2022 is unforgettably vivified and made indelible in memory. The members of the Appalachian Writers Workshop contributed their memories and experiences, and there also exists a website to collect additional input.

“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 The anthology serves as both a historical document and an exploration of the emotional and cultural ramifications of such disasters.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.