Tabernacle of Praise begins cleanup after flash floods inundate church
A flash flood early Friday morning sent rain rushing through the doors of Tabernacle of Praise Church on U.S. 50 and inundated two rental properties behind the church.
The occupants of the two homes had to be rescued by first responders.
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Shawswick Volunteer Fire Department firefighter Heath Brown said three people and a dog living in the two homes were assisted by EMS, police officers and the VFD.
"The water was about chest high," he said.
Heavy rain began falling about 2 a.m. The residents called for help around 5:30 a.m. Brown said first responders walked the residents out of their homes to safety. No one was injured.
The American Red Cross sent a disaster response team to assist the occupants, who received assistance and recovery case work.
Brown has been a volunteer firefighter about 35 years and said it had been about 20 years since he'd seen water that high in that area.
According to the National Weather Service in Indianapolis, Bedford received 2.8 inches of rain from Thursday night to Friday morning.
Tabernacle Pastor Gary Thomas, whose home is directly in front of the two rental properties and just west of the church, said flood waters were easily three feet high in and around the two homes, one of them a mobile home. The damage is so extensive, he said, neither home will be habitable.
"The creek came up and spilled over its banks and just ruined those homes," Thomas said.
Leatherwood Creek is a short distance from the two homes. On Monday, the grass around the two homes and behind Thomas' pole barn was still coated with mud.
The tires and grille of the church bus were caked with mud left behind from the flood waters that seeped into the bus. Thomas has no idea if the bus can be salvaged.
Flooding was not as severe inside the church building and adjacent youth center, but will still require extensive cleanup and repair.
During a walk-through of the youth center, where approximately 75 teens gather every week, large commercial fans and dehumidifiers were humming loudly as they dry out the building.
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Trim and molding has been removed to expose the drywall. Because drywall absorbs moisture like a sponge, Thomas said it will be checked for mold growth to see if it has to be replaced. Even though the water is gone, the unmistakable musty odor of water-logged materials lingers in the air.
Next door, Inside the church foyer, where 5 inches of standing water poured in, Thomas points to a spot just inches from the main sanctuary entrance where the water stopped. The east side of the sanctuary, however, was not spared. Thomas said water rushed in from a doorway and flooded a section of the sanctuary that was added to expand the worship area about eight years ago.
As difficult as it is to survey the damage, Thomas isn't discouraged.
"It could've been so much worse," he said.
On Sunday, just two days after the flood, the church held its regular worship services.
He said it was only possible through the efforts of many volunteers pitching in. He thanked Taylor's Cleaning and Restoration for its quick response with water extractors and large fans.
"We've seen wonderful cooperation from our people and from other churches. Pastor Jason Filler from First Baptist and Pastor (Stephen) Carter from Englewood Baptist came to help and our youth have been incredible and were here helping with the cleanup," Thomas said. "It was a joyous service."
The youth returned Monday night to pull up carpet in the youth building and continue the clean up.
Twenty or more years ago, the area was prone to flash flooding, but an upgrade to a culvert improved the drainage.
"I've been here 18 years and we've never had anything like this," Thomas said.
Almost as quickly as the waters inundated the area, Thomas said the water receded.
"Two hours later, the standing water was gone," he said.
"We're so grateful to everyone who came and helped. People we didn't know came to help," he said.
Vehicle rescue
Flash flooding caught at least one motorist off guard. Brown said a motorist became stranded about 2:45 a.m. in three feet of water on Tunnelton Road near South Leatherwood Road. He said a county police officer assisted the motorist and took him home.
Red Cross response
Patricia Colon, Red Cross disaster program manager, said in addition to the two families who were displaced, the Red Cross helped another Lawrence County where water swept through their house and caused foundation damage and a family whose home was damaged by a fallen tree.
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Colon said an emergency shelter was not needed but the Red Cross did set up a reception area for affected people to meet with the Red Cross disaster team.
Contact Times-Mail Staff Writer Carol Johnson at cjohnson@tmnews.com or 812-277-7252.
This article originally appeared on The Times-Mail: Church begins cleanup after flash floods inundate church
