ALLENTOWN, Pa. – The Lehigh Valley is still assessing the damage from last night.
Doorbell footage captured the moment wind gusts tore the roof off Emmanuel United Methodist Church in Allentown.
“We get notified so we were lying in bed and said, ‘What is this?’ then I called someone who is really close and they said, ‘You need to come down you’re not going to believe this’,” said Church Administrator Janet Avery.
“It was just dripping everywhere. We put buckets wherever we could find,” said Avery.
Church staff worked quickly to catch as much water as possible.
“They put up some tarps and moved some things and then they did a walk-thru after that and found some leaking in the preschool room. When we came in this morning to get a better look at it, the preschool, it had actually gotten much worse,” said Pastor Stephen Whitehead.
On the outside shingles and debris litter the property, but on the inside water damage is the main concern.
“I think this is the big fear all churches have really, but it’s the first time I’ve actually seen it,” said Whitehead.
Now, hours later, water still drips in the education center and fans are being used to dry out the sanctuary. A restoration company is assessing the damage as the church plans a path forward.
“Carry on as normal as possible. It’s unfortunate it’s coming up to Easter week because that’s our busiest time of year,” said Whitehead.
The church is home to multiple congregations and groups, including Emmanuel United Methodist Church, Casa Del Rey, Rich Family and Youth Worship Center, and Iglesia Cristiana.
The church administrator says they are still planning to hold services just not in the sanctuary. Any updates will be posted on the church’s Facebook page.
The education center which sustained the most damage is not currently in use.