A bridge collapse in Letcher County has left dozens of people stranded in their community.

The bridge crossing Rockhouse Creek at Perkins Branch in Jeremiah community partially collapsed at some point late Tuesday evening or early Wednesday morning. The bridge had been damaged in last month’s flooding, and Letcher County officials were working to get the Perkins Branch bridge, and three others like it, repaired or replaced.

The collapse has now stranded more than two dozen families. Letcher Judge Executive Jim Ward said 25 to 30 homes are located in Perkins Branch.

Missy Eldridge, a resident of Perkins Branch, said her husband found the collapsed bridge when he nearly drove off of it on his way to work just before 4 a.m. Wednesday. She said her teenage son crossed the bridge the night before at about 10:30 p.m. and no new damage was evident.

Both Eldridge and Zennith Ison, another Perkins Branch resident, said they are concerned for the welfare of elderly residents of the community who are unable to leave Perkins Branch or be reached by emergency services in the event of an emergency.

Now, residents of Perkins Branch are waiting for a temporary low-water crossing to be constructed so they can get in and out of their hollow. Ward said it will take at least two days to get the new, temporary crossing constructed.

[su_youtube url=”https://youtu.be/bQu8N5cCqgk” height=”340″ responsive=”no”]SOT[/su_youtube]