Though we’re well and truly into spring now, the memories of the terrible storm that spread damage across the Kentucky area this past January is still fresh in the minds of many houseboaters and marinas alike. But despite the havoc wreaked by such rapid snow and ice accumulation, many of us also remember the stories that deserve to be shared of people who come forward to help and fight the storm as the snow kept falling. We spoke with those in the Lake Cumberland area to find out more about these heroic actions that, without a doubt, helped soften the damage. The full feature will appear in Houseboat magazine's May/June issue, but here's a sneak peak at what we discuss: 

“We were astounded by the outpouring of support from not only our marina members and crews, but our neighbors on the lake,” says Bob Faflik, Northeast Regional Manager for Safe Harbor Marinas. 

“All of our crew came out from their warm homes, braved the weather and the dangerous atmosphere to help push snow and keep it from causing slips to collapse," chimes in Michelle Henderson, Secretary at Conley Bottom Resort.

Tim and Nadine Fogt, a couple who unfortunately lost their houseboat, worked with California Houseboat Services to recover the Crabby Shack. They shared that despite the personal tragedy, they made unforgettable friendships through the experience--and they're not ready to give up on houseboating yet.

"I’d been going to that dock since I was a little girl back in the sixties when my parents started boating. Lake Cumberland and Grider Hill dock have been a special part of my life,” Nadine says. “We’ve been to the lake almost every weekend houseboat-hunting, looking for a place to call our home.”

Top photo courtesy of Conley Bottom Resort & Marina

Bottom photo courtesy of Tyler Lee