Churches & Church Properties with Flood Damage


The lower level of the Equinunk United Methodist Church sustained heavy damage.

Written: 7/24/2006

The following is a list of churches and church properties in the Wyoming Annual Conference that were affected by the June flood. It is as complete as we have been able to determine.

If you know of other churches or church properties in the conference that have suffered flood damage, or can provide more complete details on any of the churches listed here, and their needs, please contact your district office.

Binghamton District

  • Lounsberry - took on between four and five feet of water in their lower level, housing their fellowship hall, kitchen and a food pantry that serves much of western Tioga County. Everything on that level was lost. This small congregation is now wondering where the funds will come from to effect repairs and to re-equip and restock their food pantry.
  • Nimmonsburg - is struggling with finding a way to recover from the second flood to invade its lower level in a little more than a year. In spite of taking the precaution of raising most items on the ground floor high above the previous watermark, the water level was three times the previous depth.
  • Owego - Lower levels of the church and Wesley House were flooded. Boilers in both buildings will need replacement.
  • Tioga Center - The lower level of the church and the basement and garage of the parsonage filled water.

Oneonta District

  • Sidney - saw its lower level completely submerged, and two inches of

    Water in the basement of the Deposit parsonage nearly reached the first floor.
    water flowed through its sanctuary. Everything in the lower level and carpeting in the sanctuary will need to be replaced. In addition, more than a foot of water invaded the main level of the parsonage. The town food bank, an ecumenical ministry housed at the church was affected.
  • Unadilla - had 4-5 feet of water through the basement. The river water, which had sewage in it has forced the removal of all furniture, carpets, and stripping of the basement to the sub-floor and the removal of all paneling, so the basement is simply open studs. They lost a lot of records and have a damaged furnace and elevator. The parsonage was flooded to a depth of 6 feet and they lost the washer, dryer, freezer and the rest of the items stored there.
  • Deposit - the church and parsonage sustained furnace damage. This will also require replacement of all the ductwork and insulation, which had to be removed. The parsonage needs some minor foundation work. The property, which we purchased next door to the church has sustained significant damage to all the flooring and walls. Black mold has quickly taken hold. Church leaders are discussing whether to gut it or tear it down. Estimates to make repairs are between $50-75,000.
  • Davenport - Sustained significant water damage on the lower level. The church hall and kitchen, as well as an area used by the Headstart Program are all affected.
  • Treadwell - suffered some major damage in the form of a washed out driveway. They also had about a half a foot of water in the lower level of the church.
  • Harpursville, Ouquaga, Mt Upton and Guilford - all had flooding of their lower levels
  • Hancock - has some cracked plaster and loose ceiling tiles.

Scranton District

  • Nicholson - suffers from more than five feet of water in the lower level of the church and six inches on the main floor of the parsonage. Contents of both are heavily damaged and much will need to be replaced.
  • Equinunk - 6 to 7 feet of water.
  • Hop Bottom - 2 1/2 feet of water in basement.
  • Waverly - about a foot of water in basement. They lost their furnace.
  • Calvary in Waymart had about 5 feet of water in the parsonage basement and a lesser amount in the lower level of the church.

Wilkes-Barre District

  • Noxen - suffered flooding in its kitchen and fellowship hall area. Extensive damage was also done to its parking lot and picnic grove. That is significant because the church sponsors work camps each summer, in which groups of volunteers camp out in those areas while helping with repairs to homes of needy families who live in this struggling community.
  • Huntsville - Suffered water damage in its lower level. Water seeped up through the basement floor, but no one noticed it because it was hidden by a raised wooden floor and carpeting. When mold started to grow on the walls, they discovered the problem. The wood and carpet are ruined as are some of the walls and furniture.
  • Calvary in West Nanticoke and Evans Falls - each received some substantial damage.