The pastor and many others in the community are still dealing with the high costs of dealing with the damage from April’s storms.
ROCK HILL, S.C. — Storms don’t last forever, but the damage left behind is a different story, especially for many who live in Rock Hill.
In April, a supercell thunderstorm produced winds up to 90 mph as it moved across York County. The winds, the equivalent of a Category 1 hurricane, toppled trees and damaged homes. The storm also produced hail stones at least 2 inches in diameter, surveyors found.
On Jones Avenue, the Redeeming Life Ministries also suffered major damage. The church is the site of the first school to integrate in South Carolina. While, on Monday, the historic building seemed to be okay, the storm toppled trees and damaged buildings elsewhere on the center’s campus
A large tree destroyed two trailers, formerly used as portable classrooms and a youth center. The trailers were being used as storage when they were destroyed.
Four months later as Tropical Storm Debby is headed for the area, Eric Gailliard, a pastor at Redeeming Life Ministries, says they are still dealing with the damage from April’s storms.
“It was like a war zone,” Gailliard told WCNC Charlotte’s Tradesha Woodard. “I almost wanted to cry.”
Gaillard said they’re looking at more than $600,000 in damages four months after the storms hit.
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“There is damage on the roof, six broken AC units, and two of our trailers have been destroyed,” Gailliard said.
As pastor, Gailliard continues working to clean up. They’re also being proactive as another storm prepares to sweep through.
He said as they continue to brace for Debby’s impacts, they’re confident they’re protected.
“My faith has been increased with the amount of things I have to carry as a weight,” Gaillard said. “If I can go through this, I can go through anything.”
In the meantime, they’ll be placing buckets around the church facilities to limit water damage from the rain and downpours. Rain that Gailliard is hoping will be quickly broken by rays of sunshine.
As this church prepares for even more heavy rainfall, they’re asking for the community’s help to pick up the pieces.
Contact Tradesha Woodard at twoodard1@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.
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