Loretta Lynn’s Ranch Devastated by Flash Flooding

The AMA and the entire motorcycle community saddened by loss of life and property at Loretta Lynn’s Ranch and surrounding community

August 24, 2021

By Joy Burgess

The Loretta Lynn Ranch, located in Hurricane Mills, Tenn., was devastated this past Saturday by flash flooding, as was much of the surrounding community. Receiving a reported 17 inches of rain in just 24 hours, the community was caught off guard by the massive rainstorm and its aftermath.

Home to the AMA Amateur National Motocross Championships for 40 years — the 2021 championship took place just a couple of weeks ago — the ranch experienced significant damage, although Loretta Lynn and her immediate family have, thankfully, been reported safe.

Tragically, longtime ranch foreman Wayne Spears was swept up in floodwaters and did not survive. Many others also lost their lives as a result of the flooding. Loretta Lynn posted about the tragic loss on her official Facebook page, commenting that the entire Lynn family is heartbroken at the loss.

“After 40 years of holding the AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship at the Loretta Lynn Ranch,” said AMA President and CEO Rob Dingman, “we were deeply saddened to see the devastation at the ranch, but even more heartbroken to hear of the loss of the ranch’s foreman, Wayne Spears, and many others in the area as a result of flash flooding. Our thoughts are with the Lynn family and the entire community during this distressing time.”

“The local community surrounding the Lorretta Lynn Ranch has been helpful and supportive to the motocross racing efforts there in Hurricane Mills, and the motorcycle community will be there for them as they work to rebuild after this tragedy,” Dingman added.

To learn more about how you can help, visit www.road2recovery.com/cause-view/racers-4-waverly/

The AMA will continue to provide updates on the motocross community’s efforts to help the Loretta Lynn Ranch recover.