Episcopal Press and News
BETHLEHEM: Episcopalians step forward to aid others in flooded towns
Episcopal News Service. October 4, 2011 [100411-03]
Janet Kawamoto, Charles Cesaretti and Janine Ungvarsky
In what is becoming a consistent pattern across the nation during times of disaster, Episcopalians in the Diocese of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, are stepping forth to help their neighbors even as flood waters devastate some of their own homes and churches.
A long series of storms and hurricanes, beginning with Hurricane Irene in early September, and continuing during the first weekend in October, has saturated communities along the Susquehanna River in Luzerne County, causing the worst flooding ever recorded in those areas.
Communities and parishes across the diocese were recovering from the effects of Irene -- electricity, telephone and cable service were restored, and basements were pumped out -- when Tropical Storm Lee arrived, pouring more than nine inches of rain on top of the already soaked area. Lesser storms have continued to dump more water on the area.
The levee system protected larger cities, such as Wilkes-Barre and Kingston, although some 100,000 people were ordered to evacuate their homes. Volunteers laid sandbags on both sides of the Susquehanna River to shore up the levees. To the relief of residents the 42-foot high levees held -- but only just. The Susquehanna River crested at 41.6 feet and was held back by the concrete ornamentation on the levee top.
Smaller towns, such as West Pittston, Duryea, Athens, Exeter Township and Plains, suffered significant damage. According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), more than 2,000 homes and 100 businesses throughout the county were destroyed, including food stores on which many residents depend.
Churches also suffered damage ranging from moderate to momentous during the month of storms.
Christ Church in Towanda had six to eight feet of water in its basement, damaging the boiler and water heater.
The finished basement of St. George's Episcopal Church, Hellertown, was flooded twice; once by Irene and a second time by Lee, due to sump pump failure. The second incident caused by far the most damage, but "we are praying for the many who have suffered far more than we have," said the Rev. Jonathan Mayo, rector of St. George's.
Residents of West Pittston were paddling boats in the street within one block of that town's Trinity Episcopal Church, according to reports from the Diocese of Bethlehem. "It was a miracle that church and rectory were spared -- by just one block!" said the Rev. John Major, rector of Trinity.
However, when the water receded a trail of thick, sludgy river silt had been deposited everywhere. Furnaces, water heaters and electrical wiring were destroyed in the homes of some of Trinity's parishioners and their neighbors.
In Towanda, upriver from West Pittston, the basement of Christ Episcopal Church flooded. The local fire department responded quickly and began pumping out water.
But damage to their own churches hasn't stopped parishioners from stepping forth to help flood victims around the city and the county.
"Trinity West Pittston and the other Episcopal churches of Luzerne County have pledged to be there as long as our neighbors need us," said a report on the diocese's blog site. "Even before the river receded, parishioners in the Luzerne County churches were helping each other and our neighbors meet urgent needs for housing, food and volunteer labor."
Members of the parish are asking flood victims what their needs are, and how the congregations can work together to see that they are met, said the report. "For example, some services under consideration include counseling for those affected and childcare to allow parents uninterrupted time to work on their homes," said the blog report. "And since the increased need of residents displaced and/or unemployed because of the flood has left local food pantries with bare shelves, the area's Episcopal Churches are stepping up efforts to restock those shelves."
The Rev. Maureen Hipple, rector of West Pittston's Christ Church, began working with community organizations to respond to the immediate needs of those displaced by the flood, as well as those attempting to clean their homes.
Family pets were not forgotten, either. Almost as soon as flood waters went down, members of Church of the Redeemer, Sayre, and Boy Scout Troop 4019 were helping the Bradford County ASPCA collect more than 800 pounds of dog food for flooded-out pet owners and animal shelters.
Trinity Church, Athens, moved up its semi-annual clothing giveaway to Sept. 17, distributing garments for all ages, especially to those who lost everything in the floods.
As the rains and flooding continued, Bishop Paul Marshall of Bethlehem and his staff began immediate relief action. Marshall made funds available for emergency response, and designated the offering from the coming diocesan convention to long-term relief. He also appointed Hipple and the Rev. Canon Charles Cesaretti as flood relief coordinators.
Charlie Barebo, missioner for development, made available two 11-horsepower gas pumps capable of removing 300 gallons of water a minute; he also offered to transport the pumps to congregations needing them.
Other flood recovery projects are also underway. According to the diocese's blog, a local hotel that is undergoing renovations has donated rooms full of furniture through the efforts of the Rev. Daniel Gunn, rector of St. Stephen's Pro-Cathedral in Wilkes-Barre. A team organized by John Major of Trinity, will seek donations of other household goods like bedding, towels, dishes, etc., and coordinate a distribution to local flood victims.
However, even using donated items and volunteer labor, such efforts will require additional funds for warehouse space and trucks to transport and store the items, said the diocese's blog.
"Local congregations are already contributing time, talent and treasure to flood recovery efforts and seek help to let our neighbors know the Episcopal Church is there for them," the blog said.
Congregations from outside the diocese are helping, too. Robyn Bartal, a resident of Virginia and David Odell, of St. Andrew's Church, Allentown -- both former members of Church of the Redeemer, Sayre -- worked together to provide supplies for the Bradford County congregations. Bartal gathered clothing, bottled water, and food from her Virginia community, then rented a van and drove the donated items to the Northern Tier parishes. O'Dell's parish, St. Andrew's, provided more than $300 in gift cards, plus towels and personal hygiene items, for distribution.
"We have been blessed by the response from far and wide," reported Hipple. "The work ahead seems monumental but we cling to hope thanks to the outpouring of prayers and assistance from our partners in the diocese."
Years of recovery expected
Damage to the Bethlehem area is widespread. In West Pittston alone, 880 of the 2,381 residential structures were damaged, including 230 that had flooding on the first floor and about 20 in which water reached the second floor. Fifty buildings had structural damage and a number of those have been or will be demolished.
Many buildings affected by flooding were not insured for the damage because the areas in which they are sited are not considered flood zones.
More than 1,500 of the homes in West Pittston are more than 70 years old, and many of these larger, older residences have been subdivided into apartments, resulting in multiple families being left homeless. Few of them had their belongings insured. In addition, the restaurants, gas stations and medical offices that employed many of the residents were damaged. Some have had to close, either temporarily or permanently.
As West Pittston started to dig out, some of the organizations residents usually count on in an emergency were struggling with damage to their own facilities. The local National Guard armory and the Salvation Army headquarters were in the worst hit areas, and while both responded to the disaster, their efforts were hampered by their own devastation. Several churches were flooded, the local library suffered extensive damage, and the elementary school had damage to a number of lower level classrooms and the gymnasium.
In the Jenkins Township section of Plains and an area of Exeter Township known as Harding, about 150 structures were damaged, many of them in trailer parks and lower income areas. In Duryea, up to seven feet of water swamped 340 homes and businesses, as well as the Roman Catholic elementary school. Duryea Borough officials estimated that property owners in the small town of about 4,600 residents have sustained more than $7 million in damage.
As a result of hauling away mud-soaked debris ranging from furniture and clothing to ruined carpets and drywall, Duryea officials expect the town's landfill bill to soar from the usual monthly fee of $1,500 to more than $70,000, in a town where the entire 2011 budget is $1,202,603. All of the areas hard-hit by flooding are similar small towns with very limited resources, and all rely heavily on outside agencies and organizations for assistance.
Such assistance has been forthcoming in the form of some government emergency relief funding as well as practical help with everyday needs such as meals, flood cleanup kits, medical care and clothing provided by local churches and civic organizations. Some businesses are also stepping up to help with discounts on furniture and other necessities; a few are even making free items available to those who suffered flood damage and loss.
The aftermath of this flood will continue to impact the people of these small towns for a very long time, far longer than most outside agencies and organizations will remain on the scene, say diocesan officials. In an area already facing an unemployment rate that has inched back up to 10 percent -- higher than both the state and national rates -- they fear that recovery could take months, if not years.