The city of Prestonsburg is grieving after the tragic drowning of 22-year-old Damon Adams at Dewey Lake inside Jenny Wiley State Resort Park on Friday evening. What began as a normal evening near the water quickly turned into a devastating emergency that left family members, friends, and neighbors searching for answers and struggling with an unimaginable loss.
According to officials, the incident unfolded at around 7:22 p.m. when a 911 caller reported seeing Adams swimming in the lake. Witnesses said he suddenly went underwater and never resurfaced. The alarming call triggered an immediate response from emergency crews across Floyd County as rescuers rushed to the scene hoping to find him alive.
Several agencies joined the search effort, including the Prestonsburg Fire Department, Prestonsburg Police Department, Floyd County Rescue Squad, Floyd County Emergency Management, the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Emergency personnel quickly launched boats into the water and began searching the area where Adams was last seen.
As the search intensified, authorities temporarily shut down part of Lake Road, also known as Route 302, between the old swimming pool area and Arrowhead Point. The closure allowed rescue teams to move freely and safely as they worked against time in difficult conditions on the water.
Nearly an hour and a half after the initial call, rescuers made the heartbreaking discovery. At approximately 8:48 p.m., emergency crews located Adams in the main channel of Dewey Lake. He was recovered from the bottom of the lake and was pronounced dead at the scene.
The news spread quickly throughout Prestonsburg, leaving many residents stunned. Friends and loved ones have been sharing memories of Adams while trying to process the sudden loss of a young life. For many, the tragedy feels especially painful because it happened so unexpectedly during what appeared to be a routine swim.
The emotional impact has extended beyond family and friends. First responders who spent the evening searching the lake faced a difficult mission and worked with urgency throughout the operation. Their efforts reflected the determination to bring closure to a family facing every parent’s and loved one’s worst fear.
The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the drowning. As that process moves forward, the focus across Prestonsburg remains on supporting the Adams family and honoring the memory of a young man whose life ended far too soon. The loss has left a deep wound in the community, and many say Damon Adams will not be forgotten.
