Flooding is a major concern in most parts of the United States. While you may not have a church that is in a flood or hurricane zone, your church can still be susceptible to flooding because of rainstorms or other types of disasters. Consider the costs your church would have to bare after a flood and if your church insurance covers flooding or water damage from a flood.

Steps to Take After a Flood

Document the Damage

When it is safe to enter the flooded area, bring a camera to take pictures and videos of the damage before moving or fixing anything. Also, write down everything you can about the damage and how it changed the look or overall safety of the church. Inspect and take pictures of the inside and outside of the whole property.

Secure the Church

Once you finish documenting the damage, start making temporary repairs and securing the church. These temporary repairs may include boarding up broken windows, making sure the doors can shut and lock, or shutting off the water.

Get Everything Out of the Flooded Areas

It is important to get everything out of the areas that have flooding and water damage. Anything wet or damaged needs to be removed and dried out as much as possible.

Combat Mold

One of the biggest parts of clean up after a flood is the water damage. Mold can grow in walls and under flooring, making it a huge task to get rid of mold once it starts growing. Getting everything clean and dried up is important to combat mold. If you contact a cleanup company, make sure to have documents from them that you can show your insurance company if needed.

Notify Everyone of Closure

After a flood, you may have to close the doors of the church for a while. When it is confirmed safe, and there is no mold growth, then you can open the doors again. While this is regretful, it is important to have your church, and it’s structure deemed safe before the public can attend services and events again.