SNOW AND ICE FOLLOWED BY RAIN: A NASTY COMBINATION THAT LEADS TO WATER INTRUSION IN MANY BUILDINGS, INCLUDING CHURCHES

FEBRUARY 22, 2015

PRINCETON, KENTUCKY

Due to weather we had more than 300 churches in our area cancel Sunday services. Saturday's warmer temperatures helped melt the leftover ice, but that along with the rain caused some problems.
First Baptist Church in Princeton is recovering from snow that seeped into their sanctuary. Pastor Russ Davidson said most of the sanctuary was flooded as well as classrooms, and offices.

"When I first walked in, it was like a water main break," Davidson said. 

He said if it weren't for a random custodial check on Saturday, the damage probably would have been a lot worse.

"It was bad, but I can't imagine if we had another 24 hours before we checked the sanctuary," Davidson said.

Davidson said he thinks the weight of melting snow plus rain Saturday was too much for the gutters to handle.
All the water from the roof, ended up breaking through the ceiling. 
"We had about 8 or 10 men shoveling that snow off [from the roof]. So, it would quit leaking," Davidson said.
It may take two or three months before they can meet in the sanctuary again but as a pastor, Davidson found the blessing in this mess.

"I never called and said 'hey come help,' but there were 35 to 40 people that showed up and I mean, it was unreal how upstairs, downstairs, everywhere, people were coming over bringing fans and shop vacuums.  It was really good to see the church come together that quick because no calls were made, but Facebook got the word out," Davidson said.

People just showed up at the church after photos of the flooding damage popped up on Facebook
Davidson said they're waiting for an insurance adjuster to evaluate the damage before they decide what to do next.