There is a long road ahead for South Plainfield’s Elks Lodge 2298. Monday's heavy rain and flash flooding badly damaged the building.

"We had steel boards put in," said Thomas Perry, exalted ruler of the lodge. "They're flood resistant. They are only 36 inches high, so it didn’t help."

Those precautions were put in place after Hurricane Ida in 2021.

Perry says the rainwater reached 39 inches, so the barriers were ineffective. He says every room was affected by water.

"We want to clean out the floor. We have to make sure there is no chance of getting any mold or anything and the liquor has to be thrown out… any liquor that was hit by the mud," said Perry.

The carpet in the banquet hall also needs to be stripped.

Perry is calling on the community to help with the damage. He is asking for donations and assistance in any form. They will be at the lodge cleaning up through the weekend.

"We're a community organization," said Perry. "We are here for the community and whatever anyone can do to help - we appreciate it and they will get back in return."