Amy Moore

Location of Interview
Collection Name

Tucker County, West Virginia Flood Audio Recordings

Description

This series consists of interviews recorded by Michael Kline that document the experience of survivors of the 1985 Tucker County, West Virginia flood.  To browse this collection and others, please visit the Berea College Special Collections & Archives: https://bereaarchives.libraryhost.com/

Interviewer
Date of Interview
01-29-1986
Transcribers

National Capital Contracting

Principal Investigator
Audio
Abstract

On January 29, 1986, Michael Kline interviewed Amy Renee Moore for the Tucker County, West Virginia Flood Audio Recordings project. Amy Renee Moore, born on January 5, 1965, in Parsons, West Virginia, is the daughter of Bob and Faith Moore. Her family has deep roots in Tucker County, with her father's parents being from Thomas and her mother's family originally from Michigan before settling in Hendricks. The interview begins with Amy recounting her life in Parsons, moving through various neighborhoods before her family built a new home in Holly Meadows. She describes her childhood and educational journey, starting college in the fall of 1983 and changing her major multiple times before settling on nursery education. Amy recounts her harrowing experience during the flood on November 4, 1985. She describes the initial disbelief at the severity of the flooding, which quickly escalated as water levels rose unexpectedly. After returning home and finding water already ankle-deep on the road, her family attempted to leave, only to have their jeep overturned by the floodwaters. Amy details her struggle in the water, including being swept away, clinging to a briar bush, and ultimately finding temporary safety in a tree. She recounts the terrifying experience of being in the floodwaters for several hours, witnessing debris and hearing stranded animals, before being rescued by local men in a motorboat. The interview also covers the aftermath of the flood, including the extensive damage to her family's new home and the challenges of rebuilding. Amy discusses the community's efforts to recover, the support from various aid organizations, and her own involvement in post-flood relief work at local schools and churches. She expresses her hope for the town's full recovery and her desire to continue living in Tucker County, eventually returning to school and opening a nursery.


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