Nathan Day, a homeowner of Hindman, Knott County, received a message from a neighbor requesting him to save her grandsons from the flooding early Thursday morning.
Day stated that he was unaware of the serious flooding in the neighborhood until his neighbor informed him. He had no idea what they were talking about, so he stepped outside, Day explained. One could hear a lot of individuals shouting and pleading for rescue.
Without a boat, Day and his wife Krystal went through the floodwaters to save the 5 kids and two mothers stranded on the top of their home.
He was in that water with his wife around three o’clock in the morning. He carried a youngster under each arm and one over his neck back to his house. The oldest kid held a little puppy, Day explained about the scenario.
Gov. Andy Beshear said Monday afternoon that the death toll from one of the deadliest floods in Kentucky history had grown to 37, with many more still missing. The death toll might grow higher, as per officials, with “hundreds of unaccounted for persons,” the governor stated earlier during a press conference.
After saving the kids and the two ladies, Day was reminded of two of his former high school teachers, Ella Prater and Irma Gayheart, who lived nearby, and he couldn’t go without saving them. He described the incident as “heart wrenching,” saying he “understood his two former schools would have been stranded in their homes” and “kept traveling back and forth” as the water levels rose.
As per to Day, he then contacted three other neighbors to check on his professors, who both lived alone. He stated that they seized Prater by both of her arms and never looked back. They indicated that they needed to go. Gayheart took a time to answer the door, but once she did, she told him she was OK and had been watching the water rise on her kitchen countertop.
Day expressed that he wasn’t about to abandon her since she’s a precious lady to her. One could tell she was tired just by glancing at her face. She slept on the kitchen counter top, and the water was up near the counter.
When queried why he chose to put his life in danger for these two ladies, Day replied, these are two of the most amazing people one will ever meet, and when they show love, it’s pure love. They actually care about all those around them, and it has stayed with him his entire life.
Day was capable of connecting both professors with their family, who had been eagerly awaiting any word about their predicament, thanks to the help of his neighbors. Day remarked that, while the ordeal has been emotionally draining, he is pleased that the children and former professors are safe.
