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Loretta Lynn’s Granddaughter Tayla Discusses Tennessee Flood Recovery: ‘It’s Gonna Take More Than Us’

The people of Humphreys County in Middle Tennessee are still trying to recover from devastating floods that recently hit the area. It is an area of the Volunteer State that country music legend Loretta Lynn and her granddaughter, Tayla Lynn, know well.

Sadly, Wayne Spears, the foreman of Loretta Lynn’s ranch in Hurricane Mills died in the flood. According to The Boot, Spears was one of 20 people who passed away in the late August flood. Since that time, the Lynn family and others are trying to recover – both physically and emotionally – from the tragedy.

According to Loretta Lynn’s granddaughter, her Tennessee community needs assistance.

“There is so much happening in the world, and we as a people have a duty to take care of each other. My part of the world happens to be Humphreys County. And our town has come together and helped with what we can, but it’s going to take more than us,” Tayla Lynn shared.

The effort to recover is taking its toll on the people of her community.

“It’s almost like you’re always in fight mode,” Tayla Lynn also shared. “You just keep doing stuff and trying to help. But everyone just looks like zombies, you know?”

Loretta Lynn’s granddaughter also recounted how they spent the day before the floodwaters changed their community. She said they went to town that evening, but went home early. She learned that conditions were getting bad when she heard from a local business owner.

“I was up early (on Saturday morning) because I was going to our little local dress shop to get my stage dresses. But when the store owner called to cancel and told me to stay home and stay safe, I felt as if something bigger was going on,” Tayla Lynn said.

Loretta Lynn’s Granddaughter Says She Witnessed ‘Houses Floating Across the Street’

Even with the warning, Loretta Lynn’s granddaughter decided to see what was going on. And, unsurprisingly, what she witnessed in Humphreys County on Aug. 21 was shocking.

“There were houses floating across the street. So, we flipped around and went back to the ranch. And by the time we got to the ranch, we could no longer back up. We were trapped in a pocket with water coming up and surrounding us,” Tayla recalled.

She acted quickly and got to the safety of higher ground. Sadly, others were not so lucky. “Our ranch foreman, Wayne, had been tragically swept away in the water as the water started receding. We searched for him all day and we couldn’t find him,” Tayla also said.

Loretta Lynn was safe at her home during the flooding.

“The wonderful thing about her being in such a historic home is that the house was built up on a hill, and it would take a lot more than even a massive flood to get up there. We knew that she was okay, but she was, of course, worried about everyone else,” Tayla Lynn shared.

There are two benefit concerts planned to support the flood victims. One will be led by Billy Ray Cyrus on Sept. 7. Loretta Lynn is leading the way in the other. It will take place on Sept. 13. Joining Lynn in this benefit will be Garth Brooks, Trisha Yearwood, Luke Combs, and Luke Bryan.