Flash Flood Disaster in Summerfield Leaves Family Without a Home

I can’t imagine the fear of getting a call from your daughter saying water is rushing into the house — and she’s trapped inside. That’s exactly what happened to Jennifer Goldsmith.

Around 3 p.m. in Summerfield, Illinois, a flash flood hit without warning. Within minutes, water poured into the Goldsmith family’s home. Waist-deep floodwater swallowed their beds, clothes, and even their cars. Snakes slithered through the rising water. Jennifer, who was out running errands, tried to rush back as her daughter Alyssa cried on the phone.

They had just moved to this home from Georgia four months ago. Now, everything is gone.

What’s even harder to swallow? They don’t have any family nearby. No support system. Just three adults, three kids, and three dogs trying to hold it together while the Red Cross helps them salvage what’s left.

Their home might be condemned. Their belongings are destroyed. But they made it out alive. That counts for something.

If you’re wondering how to help — their Cash App is $gabe0170. Even a small gesture goes a long way when someone’s lost everything.

How It Unfolded — The Day the Water Didn’t Stop

I’ve seen storms before, but this wasn’t just a heavy rain. It was destruction on fast-forward.

Around 3 p.m., the sky turned dark over Summerfield, and within moments, water began swallowing the streets. The Goldsmiths’ home didn’t stand a chance. As the water surged in, it didn’t stop at the door — it rushed straight through bedrooms, the kitchen, the living room. Waist-high water in minutes.

And it wasn’t just the water. There were snakes swimming through the house, according to Jennifer’s daughter Alyssa, who was inside when it hit. That detail alone gives me chills.

Neighbors like Krystal Hopper and Ruth Michaels shared how their entire streets were underwater. One said the water reached her porch steps, and her van was almost filled. Nearby roads buckled. Sidewalks disappeared. You can’t really grasp how fast it happened unless you were there.

I want you to picture that for a second: one moment it’s your home, the next it’s a swamp filled with snakes, water, and panic.

If you ever find yourself in a similar situation, here are 7 urgent things to do after a flood — because your safety depends on how you respond in those first few hours

Who Are the Goldsmiths — And Why This Hits So Hard?

What makes this story hit even harder is knowing the Goldsmith family had just moved here.

They left Georgia only four months ago. New town, new home, fresh start. And now? They’re homeless — with no relatives nearby, no safety net, and everything they owned either soaked or swept away.

There are six of them — three adults, three kids — plus three dogs. It’s easy to see these headlines and scroll past, but when you think about how fast your own life could flip, this gets personal.

Jennifer Goldsmith told Fox 2 Now that her daughter was “freaking out” as water gushed in. “The water was about waist-high and there were snakes coming in and out of the home.” Imagine hearing that over the phone while you’re miles away, helpless.

And yet, they all made it out without injury. That alone feels like a miracle. But now comes the harder part: surviving the aftermath.

If you’ve ever moved to a new place, think about how disorienting it is. Now imagine rebuilding everything from scratch — without even your clothes or bed.

Have you or someone you know ever faced something like this? Share your story in the comments — someone reading might need to hear it.

Why Was This Flood So Severe?

You might be wondering — how did this happen so fast? And is it something we should expect more often?

Flash floods like this don’t give you time. One hour it’s dry, the next, your home’s underwater. Summerfield isn’t usually in the spotlight for this kind of disaster, but intense weather patterns across the Midwest are becoming more common. Rainfall is heavier, faster, and drains can’t keep up.

I looked into this more, and Summerfield sits in an area where extreme weather events have been growing, even if they’re not always headline-making. It’s the kind of town that never expected something like this. That’s what makes it even more devastating.

There’s also the question of preparation. Was this area marked as a flood zone? Were alerts sent out in time? It’s something that homeowners across Illinois and beyond need to start thinking about.

Because if it can happen this suddenly here, it can happen anywhere.

I’ve been tracking more stories like this — not just big headlines, but smaller alerts people often miss. Some of the fastest updates I’ve seen lately come through WhatsApp safety and local news channels. It’s surprisingly helpful when time matters.

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? Completely underwater. Her car? 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 in North Plainfield where a home exploded after 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:

• 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 like Flood Factor to check if your area is in a flood zone—even if your mortgage didn’t require flood insurance.
• 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 in Winston-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 our Disaster & Recovery section for 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.