Residents across Mississippi and beyond are stepping up to help the family of a 36-year-old woman killed by flash flooding in Petal earlier this week.
Rachael Floyd was in her car near the Petal Walmart on Monday when floodwaters swept the vehicle away. A body was discovered shortly afterward, with officials later identifying Floyd as the deceased. Floyd, an Oak Grove resident, was a mother of three and a graduate of Mississippi State University.
Since her passing, Floyd’s friends have been sharing a GoFundMe campaign aimed at helping cover funeral expenses, childcare costs, and ongoing medical costs for her husband, Ben, who has been battling cancer.
“Rachael was a friend of mine in college at Mississippi State. She was one of the most kind humans I’ve ever known. They adopted kids and shortly thereafter found out her husband, Ben, has a high grade brain cancer. This is an unimaginable tragedy. Please consider donating, MSU fam,” one social media user wrote in response to SuperTalk Mississippi News’ Tuesday report on Floyd.
Rachael was a friend of mine in college at Mississippi State. She was one of the most kind humans I’ve ever known. They adopted kids and shortly thereafter found out her husband, Ben, has a high grade brain cancer. This is an unimaginable tragedy. Please consider donating MSU fam https://t.co/XFZw8ltVVU
— mile.high 🏴☠️ (@HailState_CO) May 26, 2026
The GoFundMe was originally created in July 2025 to help the Floyd family cover Ben’s medical expenses but has since been updated following Rachael’s death. Since Monday’s tragedy, the fundraiser has seen a surge in donations and shares across social media as supporters rally around the Floyd family.
“We are mourning the very sudden and tragic loss of Rachael, who was killed in a flash flood incident on May 25. Your donations are going directly to Ben. Thank you for giving to this family that has been struck by tragedy twice now,” wrote Ann Allison, who set up the GoFundMe.
Those interested in donating can do so by clicking here.