The aftermath of Hurricane Irene
Despite ongoing utility outages on Long Island, the Chancery of the Orthodox Church in America here reopened on Thursday, September 1, 2011, after suffering minor landscaping and flooding issues in the wake of Hurricane Irene.
While some OCA parishes in the storm’s path reported a loss of power, downed trees, and minor wind damage, no reports of serious damage have been received.
It was reported, however, that two New Jersey parishes of the American Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Diocese did sustain severe flooding during the week after the storm.
The basement of the rectory of Saint John Church, Rahway, NJ, was under some eight feet of water, while flooding in the church basement reached the ceiling. Fortunately, no damage was reported to the church proper.
At Holy Ghost Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Church, Manville, NJ, the church basement was flooded to the ceiling, with water reaching the church and saturating the carpeting. The rectory basement also filled with nearly two feet of water.
Considerable damage was reported at the Metropolia Center of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA in South Bound Brook, NJ. As reported on the Church’s web site, damage estimates are far from complete, but the Center’s historic Fisher House, Sisterhood Hall, and maintenance building experienced “substantial flooding.” Also damaged were the Memorial Church’s pastoral residence building and the basement of the UOC’s Saint Sophia Seminary building.
Any OCA parishes or parishioners suffering flooding or other serious damage are asked to inform the Chancery at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address),