Packanack Community Church devastated by flash floods in Wayne

A beloved church and nursery school in Passaic County was left devastated by floodwaters after this weekend's heavy rainfall. A flash flood tore through the Packanack Community Church and the Co-Op

News 12 Staff

Aug 2, 2016, 4:35 AM

Updated 2,832 days ago

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Packanack Community Church devastated by flash floods in Wayne
A beloved church and nursery school in Passaic County was left devastated by floodwaters after this weekend's heavy rainfall.
A flash flood tore through the Packanack Community Church and the Co-Op Nursery School Sunday night in Wayne. Nearly 5 feet of water flooded the building through the windows.
Church members say that a flood five years ago affected the same area. They say that this time it is much worse.
"It's hard to believe that we're back to where we were," says Co-Op Nursery School Director Kelly Schmitz.
The church does not have flood insurance, so it can only depend on the work of volunteers and donations from the community.
"Every time we have faced disaster, the one thing that we can be very proud of, no matter what is going on in the world, our people are always willing to step up and try to help out," says New Jersey Assemblyman Scott Rumana.
The nursery school has been around for more than 65 years and officials want to make sure it's open again this fall.
"I don't know what miracles will occur, but I do know miracles will occur," says Senior Minister Karyn Ratcliffe.
Wayne police tell News 12 New Jersey that emergency responders helped out in more than 70 calls for service during Sunday's storm.


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