THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, July 3, 1995 TAG: 9507030073
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B5 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
LENGTH: Short : 40 lines
Virginians whose homes and businesses were damaged by floods tried to get their lives back to normal Sunday. But for some, even routine activities such as attending a church service were hampered by destruction from the violent downpours.
In the small community of Rapidan 10 miles south of Culpeper, the congregation at the 120-year-old Emmanuel Episcopal Church relocated to a nearby Presbyterian church for services. The vestry, sanctuary and other portions of the Episcopal church sustained severe water damage last week, although a state engineer said Sunday that the building's foundation remained intact.
The flood carried Bibles, hymnals and parts of the church organ outside into the mud. The church is about 20 feet from the Rapidan River.
``I was absolutely horrified when I saw it. You just can't describe something like this,'' said church treasurer Libby Payette. ``But I think you have to look on the bright side . . . we lost no lives in the community.''
Other areas were not as fortunate. Eight people have been confirmed dead by the storms that soaked the state for more than a week. Victims included a 3-year-old Manassas Park girl who disappeared in a creek near Front Royal as her grandparents watched.
The flooding began June 22. Damages were estimated Sunday at $112 million and counting, said Barbara Moore-Scruggs, a spokeswoman for the Virginia Department of Emergency Services.
All flash-flood warnings and watches expired Saturday night.
``We're really entering the recovery stage now,'' Moore-Scruggs said.
KEYWORDS: VIRGINIA FLOODS by CNB