Aftermath of the mid-July 2024 Flooding Emergency at Martin Luther Church
Last updated on October 14th, 2024
On 16th July 2024, the Martin Luther Church suffered extensive flood damage in the basements of the Church itself as well as of the 5 Superior Ave building due to the record rainfall.
The Church council and office continue the painstaking process of navigating the labyrinth of relevant municipal —and insurance—indemnification guidelines/regulations and requirements to hopefully see our claims and restitution filings to their successful conclusion. We extend our deepest heartfelt gratitude for the selfless help and support from our stalwart Church Council members as well as other volunteers, and the individual financial contributions of our donors, that have enabled us to navigate these difficult weeks.
After Martin Luther Child Care partially operated in the Church sanctuary and foyer from July 29 to August 16, 2024, it has now relocated to a temporary off-site venue until further notice.
Please continue to bless Martin Luther Church with your steadfast prayers, donations (material or financial) and attendance at Sunday worship —led by our lay preachers— while we continue to struggle with the flood aftermath, and as we transition to our interim pastoral team during our head shepherd’s maternity leave (Pastor Annika Klappert).
Flooding in the Main Room of the Church Basement on July 16, 2024. Children attending Martin Luther Child Care were safely moved to the main floor.Flooding in the Preschool Room of the Church Basement on July 16, 2024. This room was recently renovated and had just opened on July 2, 2024.Flooding in the Preschool Washroom of the Church Basement on July 16, 2024
A shifting contingent of volunteers and contractors has been busy emptying and sorting all basement rooms of paraphernalia, furniture and shelving.
More than 1 ton of water damaged items were disposed of after the flood.Items cleaned and sorted in the Main Room of the Church Basement, to be moved or stored, as of August 1, 2024Items cleaned and sorted in the Main Room of the Church Basement, to be moved or stored, as of August 1, 2024Dehumidifiers for the Church Basement were set up by the emergency contractor a few days after the flood.Items sorted for disposal and fans running to dry out the Main Room of the Church Basement, as of August 1, 2024
Still usable items have been salvaged and are now being temporarily stored in the sanctuary/nave and pastor’s office so as to enable the contractors free access to the areas in need of immediate repair work.
Salvaged items from the church basement temporarily stored in the sanctuary, as of August 19, 2024Salvaged items from the church basement temporarily stored in the sanctuary, as of August 19, 2024Salvaged items from the church basement temporarily stored in the office, as of August 19, 2024Main Room in the Church Basement, empty and ready for mitigation, as of August 19, 2024Main Room in the Church Basement, empty and ready for mitigation, as of August 19, 2024Sunday School Room in Church Basement, empty and ready for mitigation, as of August 19, 2024Storage Room in the Church Basement, empty and ready for mitigation, as of August 19, 2024Storage Room in the Church Basement, empty and ready for mitigation, as of August 19, 2024Kitchen in the Church Basement, empty and ready for mitigation, as of August 19, 2024Storage Room in the Church Basement, empty and ready for mitigation, as of August 19, 2024Storage Room in the Church Basement, empty and ready for mitigation, as of August 19, 2024
Water-damaged drywall, baseboards and millwork have begun to be removed.
Preschool Room in the Church Basement with water damaged floor, drywall and millwork removed and fans running to dry out the space, as of August 1, 2024Preschool Room in the Church Basement with water damaged floor, drywall and millwork removed and fans running to dry out the space, as of August 1, 2024Preschool Room in the Church Basement with water damaged floor, drywall and millwork removed, as of August 1, 2024
