Gov. Beshear Announces RISING, a Documentary From Team Kentucky on Rebuilding Eastern Kentucky Following 2022 Floods

Film to premiere Sept. 18 at the Mountain Arts Center, with governor, developers, nonprofit partners and survivors set to attend

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Sept. 11, 2025) - Today, Gov. Andy Beshear announced RISING, a documentary from Team Kentucky that tells the story of the strength and resilience of Eastern Kentuckians as they undertake the most ambitious rebuilding effort in the nation following the historic 2022 floods. The documentary will premiere on Sept. 18 at the Mountain Arts Center in Prestonsburg, with a roundtable discussion to follow the screening.

"RISING is a story that shows what's possible when you put your people first, work together and demand a solution that will bring meaningful change," said Gov. Beshear. "The people of Eastern Kentucky are some of the strongest, most resilient people I've ever met, and they deserve a future where their homes and loved ones are safe from floods - and that is what we're creating together. The floods brought devastation, but, as this film shows, Eastern Kentucky is now full of hope."

The 60-minute film chronicles the joint commitment of Gov. Beshear, state and local leaders to rebuild homes for survivors on abandoned coal mine sites out of the floodplains. Now, eight high-ground communities are either completed or in progress, with new homes on higher ground, protected from future flooding.

"Whitesburg saw historic flooding in 2022 that left so many without homes, and forced us to think about long-term rebuilding plans," said Whitesburg Mayor Tiffany Craft. "The new high-ground sites in Letcher County, and across Eastern Kentucky, are providing our people with safe housing options. People from Whitesburg are proud to be from here, and these new neighborhoods are making sure our people can stay home, in their new, high-ground homes."

RISING features stories and voices from state, federal and local leaders, as well as flood survivors, first responders and nonprofit partners. The film seeks to show the world what is possible and proves that, by working together, we can rise above any challenge.

The film was reviewed by Silas House, New York Times bestselling author and former Poet Laureate of Kentucky, who shared: "This deeply moving documentary combines archival footage and retrospective interviews to illuminate the heroic efforts of rescue and recovery performed by grassroots efforts and the phenomenal response of the team headed by beloved Gov. Andy Beshear during a devastating Kentucky flood. A film that leaves the viewer feeling hopeful and inspired by what people and government can do when they work together, and when elected officials truly care about - and serve - their constituents."

On Thursday, Sept. 18, the Governor and Team Kentucky will host the premiere of RISING at the Mountain Arts Center in Prestonsburg. Doors open at 5 p.m. EDT for a red-carpet walk and reception, followed by the 6 p.m. premiere. Following the screening of the film, the Governor and other leaders will take part in a 30-minute roundtable discussion at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets for the event are limited, and guests are encouraged to RSVP here.

It is free to screen the film, but if able, viewers are encouraged to donate an amount of their choice to the Team Kentucky Storm Relief Fund at teamkystormrelieffund.ky.gov, where all proceeds go to rebuilding efforts for storm survivors.

RISING was produced and edited by Team Kentucky with support from the Tourism Arts and Heritage Cabinet and the Cabinet for Economic Development.