Nate Bickel, teacher at Racine Lutheran High School (RLHS), reports that on June 9, Racine Lutheran High School became an island surrounded by the flooding waters of the Root River. As the waters rose and with the potential for the school to be flooded, sand bagging and prayers began. Many students, parents, alumni, faculty, and city workers arrived, wading through knee deep water to get to the school building. The word of the potential disaster spread quickly through the local, state, and national media, as well as various prayer chains. The work and prayers began and within hours people in Michigan and as far as Texas were praying for the high school. The flood waters came within 10 inches of the building, but in the end the building stayed completely dry. "We are thankful for all the people who came to the rescue and especially for all those who were praying for the school," said Bickel. We are thankful for the grace that God revealed to us throughout this entire ordeal."
On June 13 it was reported that waters were starting to recede and the street in front of RLHS is now visible.
Left to right: Volunteers fill sandbags; teacher Nate Bickel stands at the back parking lot entrance; front of RLHS.
Prince of Peace, Racine – Members are cleaning up from a flooded basement where their day care and preschool programs are held. A power loss during the storm caused the sump pump to stop working. Insurance adjusters have been begun to assess the damages.
Zion, La Valle – Zion is in the Wisconsin Dells area. They have a totally flooded basement and all mechanicals will need to be replaced in the parsonage. The church has no basement, so all the water went into the worship area. Water covered the pews up to the seats and the altar furnishings to a depth of 16 inches. Both the church and the parsonage will have major expenses to cover the damages and make both structures habitable. The members are currently worshipping with the congregation at St. Paul, La Valle, about seven miles to the north.
St. Peter, Reedsburg – Also near the Dells, Rev. Paul Crolius of St. Peter in Reedsburg reported they have about a dozen families whose homes are so badly flooded that they had to evacuate until the water recedes and they can assess the damages. Thankfully the water is receding, but they cannot afford to get any more rain! The church and community are pulling together to help each other. Evacuees are staying with other family members or in hotels. On Sunday, St. Peter's will ask for volunteers to help with the clean up. Earlier this year, the congregation gave out over $3000 to families in need, so their resources now are almost gone. They are making an appeal for contributions for these families' immediate needs and asking them to also report their losses, when known, to the municipality and apply for federal assistance.
St. Peter-Immanuel, Milwaukee – This congregation has flooding in the church basement, causing significant damage to their extended learning center. All carpeting needs replacement as well as resources for the learning center. An insurance adjuster is assessing the damages.
Grace, Oak Creek – Rev. Dean Dummer reported that everything in their basement is destroyed. Their early childhood center has been temporarily moved to the school. Damage includes kitchen cupboards and all carpeting, tile and early childhood resources. Early estimates of damages are at least $25,000.
Covenant, Milwaukee – Rev. Steven Voigt reported that they had 6 feet of water in their basement and loss of electricity and phone system. As of June 18, they remain without these vital necessities. Their Child Care Center is operating on power supplied by a generator. We are very grateful to Northwest Lutheran School for the use of office space and equipment. Because of the water in the church basement, the boiler will need to be replaced, extensive electrical work is needed to restore power to our building, and the phone system will also need to be replaced. Early estimates on the cost of repairs and clean-up are $150,000 to $200,000. They continue to hold worship services in Northwest School’s gymnasium next door.
Our Father, Greenfield – Flood water caused damage to the school and church basements. Boiler room equipment in the school will need to be replaced and the church basement, where they hold their day care program, will need considerable repair.
Mt. Calvary, Milwaukee – Rev. Tom Eggebrecht reported that their brand new addition had a sewer backup in the girls’ bathroom that sent an inch of water throughout their carpeted library. Some books were damaged and carpeting will need to be replaced.
Bethlehem, Wales – Rev. Allen Behnke said that they will need to replace all drywall, carpeting and furnishings in the basement level of their church. They have estimated the cost to be $200,000. They were cleaning up after the first four inches of rain when another three inches fell in the second round of storms.
Good Shepherd, Watertown – Several members had to evacuate their homes and they are waiting for their damages to be assessed.
Please pray that additional rains will not cause further danger or damage.