No insurance help for Our Savior flooding

Our Savior Lutheran Church and School in the Town of Grafton is still recovering from flood damage in August and seeking approximately $200,000 to pay for repairs not covered by insurance.

Last week, the church learned its provider, Church Mutual Insurance Co., will not cover the cost of damages, Staff Minister Tom Hering said.

“I don’t think it came as a complete shock, but we were hoping to get some money from our claim,” Hering said, noting the claim was denied because the flooding is considered an act of God.

When officials arrived at the church at 1332 Arrowhead Rd. on Aug. 27, they found the lower level of the building flooded from more than seven inches of rain that fell the previous night.

The lowest part of the church received the most water damage because there was nearly two feet of standing water.

Many rooms — including a library, kitchen, classroom, furnace rooms, storage areas and stairwell — were flooded. Water also damaged carpeting, cabinetry and drywall.

Officials said a low tract of land around the church allowed stormwater to flood the basement.

Work was done immediately to prevent mold damage. Forty fans were brought in and the church’s heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems were restored.

The school began classes on time because a multipurpose room was used to replace the flooded classroom downstairs.

However, the building lost all six of its furnaces, a stove, refrigerator and 13,000 books. Hering said the estimate to replace the books is approximately $100,000.

Damage to the building was estimated at $75,000 to $100,000.

“Pretty much anything that touched the floor was lost,” Hering said. “The library is completely unusable at this point.”

Hering said the church will be repaired in phases, with a focus on the most critical needs. So far, three of the six furnaces have been replaced.

“We’re trying to get ready for winter because we don’t want any issues with frozen pipes,” Hering said. “As far as getting back to usable space, it’s wait and see at this point.”

Hering said volunteers have spent hundreds of hours cleaning up the damage.

“We’ve been blessed to have people step up with secondary cleaning, and we look forward to self performing in the rebuild process,” he said. “We have members with the skills and talents to help us with some of those things.”

The congregation has established a flood fund to rebuild the affected areas and also pay for preventative flood steps.

Charcoal Grill restaurant in Grafton is going to donate a percentage of several days of sales to Our Savior and other churches have offered to help contribute funds, Hering said. He also said sales from normal fundraising activities may be redirected to the flood fund.

To donate or volunteer at the church, call 377-6363 or email oslcoffice@wi.rr.com.  

“We’re thankful for how people have come together to show us their support, not only from the church but from the community and even out of state,” Hering said. “It’s been a real blessing to see so many people respond so positively.