'Way to go!': Chris Stapleton praised after he is spotted buying supplies for Kentucky flood victims
Country music sensation Chris Stapleton was spotted helping out local families at a local store in Kentucky after historic flood waters ravaged the Bluegrass State.
Stapleton, 44, a native of Staffordsville, Eastern Kentucky was reportedly at the Walmart in Prestonburg purchasing supplies to aid the victims of the recent floods. The unprecedented deluge has claimed at least 37 lives and counting, with hundreds of Kentuckians still unaccounted for. Thousands are stranded without shelter, power, and food, including minimal necessities like soap and toothpaste.
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Eastern Kentucky resident Courtney Crider told WYMT how she spotted Stapleton while shopping at the store with her daughter Etta, who has special needs. The country music star reportedly stopped to say hello to the family. Crider said her daughter is a big fan of Stapleton and that his music helped calm her down. That said, Singer Tyler Childers, another Eastern Kentucky native, was also spotted donning rubber boots and helping out with the recovery efforts.
One Kentucky couple thanked Stapleton for his efforts on Facebook. “Chris Stapleton at Walmart buying supplies for flood victims with Elkhorn City’s JT and Bo Cure. Way to go guys. Thanks for all the help for our surrounding areas in need," Craig N Sheila Spartman wrote.
Stapleton's charity, Outlaw State Of Kind, has reportedly also pledged to donate funds to the Kentucky Red Cross and the Appalachia Crisis Fund. The charitable fund, founded by Chris and Morgane Stapleton in 2016, is known to support a variety of social causes. It is administered by the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee.
“Our hearts are with Eastern Kentucky & everyone who has been affected by the devastating floods throughout the region," the organization said in a statement. "The Outlaw State of Kind Hometown Fund is donating funds to the Kentucky Red Cross and Appalachia Crisis Fund to aid those in need. We will be sharing links to additional resources and information, and ask that you please consider a donation to support recovery efforts if you’re able.”
President Joe Biden approved a major disaster declaration to send emergency federal funding to relief efforts in Breathitt, Clay, Floyd, Johnson, Knott, Leslie, Letcher, Magoffin, Martin, Owsley, Perry, Pike, and Wolfe counties, the Courier-Journal reported. Governor Andy Beshear confirmed that the death toll "has now risen to 37, with so many more still missing."
We are ending the day with more heartbreaking news out of Eastern Kentucky. We can confirm the death toll has now risen to 37, with so many more still missing. Let us pray for these families and come together to wrap our arms around our fellow Kentuckians. ^AB
— Governor Andy Beshear (@GovAndyBeshear) August 1, 2022
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As mentioned, the flooding has destroyed several counties and displaced hundreds from their homes since it began last week. The strong currents uprooted houses from their foundations, ravaged farms and local businesses, and caused catastrophic damage to properties, vehicles, and belongings. Meanwhile, rescue efforts have been complicated by inaccessible roads and bridges alongside relentless rainfall in some areas. Officials noted that several areas are without cell service, leaving residents out of reach of loved ones or emergency services.
"It's going to continue to rain overnight," Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman told CNN on Monday, August 1.
"That makes everything more difficult. ... We still have back roads and county roads that are broken off, and that our bridges are out. And so it's really difficult to get to some of the most remote places", Gov. Beshear said during a Monday press conference that the compounded challenges had made it "nearly impossible" to gauge how many people are exactly missing.