CALVARY
Episcopal Church
Indian Rocks Beach, Florida
"To know Christ,...
and to make Him known."
Join us this Sunday
9AM
(Post Hurricane Recovery Service)
Church Parish Hall Deck - Weather permitting
Hurricane Recovery & Relief
November 1-3
Food Relief Effort
Calvary Episcopal Church
Partners with Citizen's Defending Freedom
A full tractor trailer of food, water, cleaning supplies, etc. will be distributed to our neighbors in IRB and surrounding barrier 'islanders' most affected by the recent storms. All neighbors of Calvary should come between the hours of 10am-Noon to receive a generous provision of much-needed food source. Please get the word out.
Report
Hurricane Helene
Sept. 26, 2024
Hurricane Milton
Oct. 9, 2024
Calvary took a heavy loss due to water surge from 8pm-2am, Sept. 26, 2024 after Hurricane Helene and minimum damage to wind, Oct. 9, 2024 after Hurricane Milton. Building loss was catastrophic requiring 24" flood cuts, removal of carpet, destruction of all cabinetry, church organ, many electronics, furniture, three air conditioners, etc. Palm trees and all landscaping destroyed by salt water. One palm tree fell on our bulkhead requiring immediate removal. Estimated cost of replacement: $1.5M
IRB took heavy loss in the surrounding area barrier islands including the metro cities of Tampa and St. Petersburg. Half of Pinellas County was without power and much without water for over a week.
Recovery efforts began to address both the Property and the People concerns and needs. Servpro met with Fr. Roberts as soon as the entrance to the island was permitted on Saturday, Sept. 28, 4pm at Calvary. Immediate mitigation contract brought equipment and laborers from this company to get to work. The mitigation effort was interrupted six days later due to the projected landfall of the second hurricane "Milton". Mitigation was resumed Oct. 11 by Servpro. Complete demolition and removal of all contaminated materials with full drying out of all compartments occurred on Oct. 20. Servpro removed all equipment from the interior but was allowed to keep all trucks and service equipment serving the larger IRB community in Calvary's parking lot, including fuel and use of laboratories.
Blairs AC was called to evaluate all twelve compressors and air handler components after each storm. Calvary lost two units and one was severely damaged slated for replacement of compressor only; not air handler.
The BCFP made preliminary response to remove food inventory prior to Helene, but entirely by Oct. 1, giving out to local residents in need of assistance. Along with the main church operation, the BCFP was closed. Inventory will be a top priority to restock once the reconstruction makes it functional once again.
Bids being received as of Oct. 21 for reconstruction. Servpro, a local contractor and Allacrity are chosen for bids. Reconstruction will include options for materials that are more resistant to future surges of water in the interior.
Church Insurance Company (TEC/CPG) have collaborated with vendors to insure compliance and thorough audit of billing. The limitation of cost is related to a cap of $1,000,000 minus deductible ($137,000) and all things considered "Like-for-Like" in full replacement. Projections indicate we will exceed in cost and capital campaigning is expected.
Relief efforts to help people began with social networking, using eNews, Facebook, email, text and phone to reach out to as many people in our church and working relations, as possible, prior to storm impact and the weeks that followed. This level of communication continues as a driver to bring awareness to impact, resources and critical situations of dire need. Volunteers of Calvary called every member in our newly published church directory to insure they were safe and cared for by our strongest resource, prayer. The Prayer Team gave consistent coverage for all in need and relayed to the Clergy and lay leaders in an effective manner. Volunteers of Calvary assisted some of our parishioners in need of physical labor including carpet, wall, furniture removal from homes that were totaled in loss. The Priest provided visitation and multiple communications directly, offering from the Clergy discretionary account funds received for the purpose of offering hope to those who lost so much. His effort intensified with aligning with Citizens Defending Freedom, who earmarked a delivery of food set for arrival Oct. 26 for immediate relief effort to those on the island most devastated. Gift cards, funds and food will continue to be offered by our community of faith in Jesus Christ, as He alone deserves the glory for the healing and help that is currently taking place.
If you would like to learn more about the Worship Commission, contact: