Spring Valley Ukrainian Church Flooded Again After Costly Rebuild (Spring Valley, California)

The St. Mary Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Spring Valley, California, has once again been struck by floodwaters, dealing a severe blow to its already struggling recovery efforts. The flooding, which occurred on New Year’s Day, caused more than $100,000 in damage to three church buildings, destroying furniture, floors, and other property. The congregation was forced to hold services outdoors under tents as the church dried out.

The church’s secretary, Vera Skop, described the event as a “deja vu” moment, noting that the water entered the church from the front door all the way to the altar. This marks the second major flood in two years, following a previous incident that caused $200,000 in damage and ruined tens of thousands of dollars in donations intended for Ukraine. Skop emphasized that the area is known for its flood-prone conditions, and flood insurance was not available. The church relied on a major donor and fundraising efforts to rebuild after the initial disaster.

The latest flood has prompted the church to file a lawsuit against several defendants, including the La Mesa-Spring Valley School District, which owns property above the church. The district had spent months constructing a flood control channel, but the flooding still occurred. Attorney Evan Walker, representing the church, stated that the defendants must maintain the flood control infrastructure to prevent future damage.

In response, the school district acknowledged the ongoing issue with a county culvert on Rogers Road above the school. The culvert, which clogs with debris from adjacent properties during heavy rains, has been a source of significant flooding for decades. The district’s statement highlighted the challenges of managing such a long-standing problem.

As the church begins another lengthy recovery process, congregation members are preparing for more rain this winter. A County spokesperson declined to comment on the pending litigation, but court documents reveal that the County has cited several defenses, including immunity to liability, in response to this and other 2024 flooding lawsuits.

The repeated flooding has placed a heavy burden on the church, which has already endured significant financial and emotional strain. The congregation’s resilience in the face of these challenges reflects a deep commitment to their faith and community, even as they seek justice and support for their ongoing struggles.

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