The Climate Migration Question: Rebuild or Relocate?
Briefly

The article highlights the impact of the 2022 flood in eastern Kentucky, where 45 lives were lost and many homes damaged, including that of Sherry Mullins. She expresses her determination to retain ownership of her family's land, despite not being able to rebuild. The narrative explores the shifts in community dynamics as survivors relocate to new homes on former coal strip mines, raising questions about the future of communities affected by increasingly extreme weather due to climate change. Mullins' story symbolizes both personal loss and resilience amidst environmental challenges.
Sherry Mullins, a flood survivor, reflects on her loss, stating, 'I don't care if there's six inches left, we won't sell it.' This showcases her resilience.
After the devastating flood in 2022, many survivors, including Mullins, relocated to new communities built on former coal strip mines around the mountains.
The article questions the fate of communities when faced with increasingly common extreme weather due to climate change, emphasizing the vulnerability of such areas.
The River Caney, despite its unassuming nature, became the center of a horrific flood that reshaped the lives and land of its surrounding residents.
Read at www.nytimes.com
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