4-Year-Old Girls Never Left Each Other after Losing Their Homes in Horrible Kentucky Flood

Two young girls experienced their first flooding last month, but despite the chaos around them, they held on to one another. The flood in Kentucky destroyed many houses and had one of the girls asking if God was crying.

In times of crisis, humans know they must rely on each other to survive. Tressie Whisenant and Ada Miller proved that the sentiment was not a learned one but an instinctive urge last month when they witnessed the Kentucky flooding.

Ada's home was destroyed during the flooding in the Upper Bottom section of Whitesburg. Tressie's home did not fall, but her grandmother and aunt lost their homes. They also had to watch as their neighbors and friends got rescued.

THEY SAW THE FEAR

Ada and Tressie, both 4-year-olds, knew all was not well when they saw people panicking about the flood. However, Tressie's mom, Katrina Shepherd-Whisenant, is unsure if they truly understood what was unfolding before them. Katrina said:

“Both understood and saw the fear in everyone’s eyes, but I am not sure if their little minds could comprehend the devastation that was occurring right in front of them.”

Regardless of whether they did or not, Ada and Tressie never left each other. Instead, as the tragedy played out before their eyes, they held onto one another, and at some point, Tressie asked her mother:

“Why did God let it rain so much? Is he crying?”

On July 29, Katrina took to her Facebook page to share a picture of the girls clinging to one another as they stood on a hill overlooking their flooded community. In her caption, Katrina tagged the day the girls may or may not remember. She wrote:

"Two best friends holding onto one another with clothes that doesn’t match or backward, shoes that are muddy, and hair that is a mess (sic).”

Katrina also mentioned that one of the girls needed to visit the toilet but wouldn't leave, then ended the write-up with a declaration of love for Tressie and Ada.

COMMENTS ON THE POST

Katrina's post on Facebook quickly gained many likes and had comments from users expressing empathy and encouragement. Some of the comments read:

“This photo makes my heart hurt for you and your families.”

— (@Winter Skye Garrett) July 29, 2022

“Aw… bless their hearts. Sending lots of love and prayers your way.”

— (@Gina Wilson Bussell) July 29, 2022

“ Oh, Katrina Shepherd-Whisenant! I am so sorry! This is so devastating!”

— (@Brieann Wolfe) July 29. 2022

ALL HANDS ARE WELCOME

The girls and their families made it through the storm, and the cleanup began in earnest. Tressie's mother, a tutor at West Whitesburg Elementary, has converted her garage into a spot where people can drop off supplies to help other survivors.

She implored anyone headed to the area to join the cleanup as they needed all the help they could get. Her call has been getting answered as many have flocked to Whitesburg to lend their support.

Andrea Hatton, who works as a school nurse at Pikeville Elementary, is among those who have gone down to volunteer at Upper Bottom, and after seeing the damage up close, she said:

“These people in Whitesburg need bodies. If you, your family, your sports teams, and anyone can help just bring yourselves. ...these people just need help. Carrying. Sweeping. Anything.”

Ada and Tressie may not remember the flood later in life, but it is the hope of many that the girls continue to take comfort in one another whenever they need to.