Flood water is seen at the bottom of the stairwell to the Garden Level, the basement underneath the Gathering Place, on Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2018.
Flooding and water damage in all of the basements at UUFE will result in worship services being conducted in the Gathering Place for the immediate future, with the Sanctuary being used as an area for clean-up operations.
While there is still a bit of uncertainty about timing, it appears that volunteers will be needed at some point on the week of Feb. 26, 2018, to remove material from the basements. We will try to give at least 24 hours notice before this work day, and we are asking any and all who are able to come assist in any way you can that day.
As of Friday, Feb. 23, 2018, the water table had still not stabilized enough to continue with pumping out the water from the basements. It is estimated that it may take a day or two to complete water removal.
Church leaders, including the Rev. Amy DeBeck and Joan Clayborn of the Building & Grounds Committee, have been in frequent contact with ServPro, the company we have contracted for water removal and clean-up assistance. Our insurance company is expected to send an adjuster next week.
Clean-up work cannot begin until all water has been removed. We will announce with at least one day’s notice when volunteers are needed.
ServPro will handle steam-cleaning of cement floors, removing carpet, drywall and insulation, and applying anti-microbial treatment. Tarps will be laid on the floor of the sanctuary and items that we believe we can salvage will be dried and disinfected there. Items to be thrown out will be placed in the provided Dumpster.