Flash Flood Disaster in Summerfield Leaves Family Without a Home
I can’t fathom how terrified you would be if your daughter called to tell you that she was stuck inside the house because water was pouring in. Jennifer Goldsmith experienced precisely that.
A sudden flash flood struck Summerfield, Illinois, at approximately 3 p.m. Water flooded the Goldsmith family’s house in a matter of minutes. Their cars, clothes, and even their mattresses were engulfed by waist-deep floodwater. Slithering through the rising water were snakes. While her daughter Alyssa was crying on the phone, Jennifer, who was out running errands, attempted to hurry back.
Four months prior, they had relocated from Georgia to this house. It’s all gone now.
What’s even more difficult to accept? They have no family in the area. no system of support. While the Red Cross helps them recover what’s left, it’s only three people, three children, and three dogs attempting to stay together.
They could have their house condemned. Their possessions are destroyed. However, they survived. That is significant.
For those who are unsure of how to assist, their Cash App is $gabe0170. When someone has lost everything, even a simple gesture can make a big difference.
How It Unfolded The Day the Water Didn t Stop
This wasn’t just a lot of rain; I’ve seen storms before. On fast-forward, it was devastation.
The sky over Summerfield darkened at about 3 p.m., and the streets were soon engulfed by water. There was no chance for the Goldsmiths’ house. The water flowed into the living room, kitchen, and bedrooms as it rushed in, not stopping at the door. water waist-high in a matter of minutes.
It wasn’t just the water, either. When it struck, Alyssa, Jennifer’s kid, claimed that snakes were swimming through the house. I get chills just thinking about that detail.
Ruth Michaels and Krystal Hopper, two neighbors, described how their entire neighborhood was under water. According to one, her van was nearly full and the water reached her porch steps. The nearby roadways gave way. The sidewalks vanished. You have to be there to truly understand how quickly it happened.
Take a moment to visualize that: one second it’s your house, and the next it’s a swamp with water, snakes, and fear.
Here are seven critical things to do following a flood in case you ever find yourself in a similar circumstance.because how you react during those initial hours will determine your safety.
Who Are the Goldsmiths And Why This Hits So Hard?
Knowing that the Goldsmith family had recently moved here makes this story much more poignant.
Just four months ago, they departed Georgia. A new town, a new house, a new beginning. And now? They have no family nearby, no safety net, and everything they own has been saturated or washed away, leaving them destitute.
Three people, three children, and three dogs make up the six of them. It’s simple to glance at these headlines and move on, but it becomes personal when you consider how quickly your own life could change.
As the water poured in, Jennifer Goldsmith told Fox 2 Now that her daughter was panicking out. Snakes were entering and leaving the house, and the water level was around waist high. Imagine being helpless and miles away when you hear that over the phone.
Nevertheless, none of them suffered any injuries. It seems miraculous in and of itself. The more difficult element, however, is weathering the fallout.
Consider how confusing it is to move to a new location if you have ever done so. Imagine starting again and starting over without even your bed or clothes.
Has something similar ever happened to you or someone you know? Someone reading this might need to hear your experience, so share it in the comments section.
Why Was This Flood So Severe?
You may be curious as to how this occurred so quickly. And should we anticipate it more frequently?
This kind of flash flood doesn’t give you time. Your house is submerged one minute, and then it’s dry again. Although severe weather patterns in the Midwest are becoming more frequent, Summerfield isn’t typically in the news for this kind of incident. Rainfall is increasing in volume and speed, and drains are unable to keep up.
Even though they don’t always make the news, Summerfield is located in a region where extreme weather events have been increasing, according to my further research. This is the type of town that never anticipated such a thing. It is even more heartbreaking because of this.
Additionally, there is the issue of readiness. Was a flood zone designated for this area? Were notifications issued on time? Homeowners throughout Illinois and beyond should begin considering it.
Because if it can occur here so abruptly, it can occur anywhere.
I ve been tracking more stories like this not just big headlines, but smaller alerts people often miss. Local news outlets and WhatsApp safety provide some of the fastest information I’ve seen recently. It’s surprisingly useful when you’re short on time.
How the Community Is Coping and Who s Stepping Up
You learn a lot about a place by how it responds in crisis.
In Summerfield, neighbors like Ruth Michaels are trying to dry out and assess the damage. Her house? totally submerged. Her vehicle? Nearly filled to the seats. Others had similar stories some lost power, others still can t return home safely.
It s not just the Goldsmiths. This flood hit dozens of families.
Thankfully, the American Red Cross stepped in quickly. They re helping families sort through wreckage, find shelter, and get essentials. But let s be honest even with help, recovery is slow. You don t just clean this up with a mop and a box fan.
If you re in Summerfield or nearby, now s the time to look out for your neighbors. Maybe someone just needs a warm meal or a spare charger. Small gestures mean more than you think.
In some areas, the aftermath of flooding turns even more dangerous like inNorth Plainfield where a home explodedafter water mixed with a gas leak. It s a reminder that damage doesn t stop once the water drains.
Could This Happen to You? Flash Flood Safety Isn t Optional Anymore
Let s be honest most of us think a flood will never reach our home. I used to feel that way too.
But flash floods don t care where you live. They happen fast, often with little warning, and in places that never expected it. That s exactly what happened in Summerfield.
If this story made you stop and think, here s what you can do right now to stay safer:
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Sign up for local weather alerts.
Most cities use services like Code RED or NWS alerts to notify you when flooding is possible. -
Don t underestimate water.
Six inches can knock you over. A foot can sweep away your car. That s why the National Weather Service always says: Turn Around, Don t Drown. -
Build a basic emergency kit.
Include flashlights, water, non-perishable food, phone chargers, batteries, pet food, and copies of ID. -
Know your flood risk.
Use sites likeFlood Factor
to check if your area is in a flood zone even if your mortgage didn t require flood insurance.
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Have an evacuation plan.
Where would you go if you had 15 minutes to leave? Do your kids know the drill?
You don t need to panic, but you do need to prepare. Summerfield wasn t ready now families like the Goldsmiths are paying the price.
Similar storms recently damaged over ten homes inWinston-Salem, where uprooted trees added to the chaos. These local disasters are stacking up and families need long-term support, not just emergency aid.
Final Thoughts
It s easy to scroll past disaster stories. But when you hear the fear in a daughter s voice, or see a family s entire life floating in floodwater it sticks.
The Goldsmiths didn t expect this. Neither did their neighbors. And neither would you.
If nothing else, let this be a reminder: check on your home s flood risk, check on your emergency plan, and most importantly check on each other.
Because when disaster hits, the only thing stronger than the water should be the community standing behind you.
Want more real stories that impact how we live and protect our homes? Visit ourDisaster & Recovery sectionfor the latest.
Disclaimer:This article is based on publicly available reports, verified sources, and direct quotes from news coverage as of July 2025. Information may evolve as the situation develops. Please verify donation links and emergency resources before contributing.
Table of Contents
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How It Unfolded The Day the Water Didn t Stop
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Who Are the Goldsmiths And Why This Hits So Hard?
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Why Was This Flood So Severe?
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How the Community Is Coping and Who s Stepping Up
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Could This Happen to You? Flash Flood Safety Isn t Optional Anymore
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Final Thoughts
