Bruce Outreach Center Provides Hope and Help Amid Flash Flood Devastation

By Sharon Mager

Westernport, Md. — On May 13, what began as heavy rain turned into a devastating flash flood. Within minutes, manageable rainfall escalated into disaster. Homes were flooded, parking lots filled with cars floating, and the governor called a state of emergency. While some residents compared it to the flood of 1996, Diane Cowan, wife of Pastor Dave Cowan of Bruce Outreach Center (BOC), said this one was much worse.

Bruce Outreach Members, including children, help clear mud after the flood in Westernport. (Photo submitted)

“The flood of ’96 did not cause as much devastation as this one,” Diane said. “This flooded our local library, funeral home, rescue squad, fire department and town municipal building, along with many residents’ basements. Some lost the first floors of their homes. Our elementary school, after ’96, installed flood windows on the first floor, but according to a teacher who came and volunteered with us for several days, the water came so quickly that they didn’t have time to put them on. The water flooded the first floor to the second-floor stairwell. It was only the grace of God that the rain stopped when it did, or we would’ve lost most of the downtown.”

Diane explained, “The flooding came from George’s Creek. As all this was happening, the Potomac was rapidly rising, and the Savage River Dam was reaching its capacity and about to release water from its spillway so it wouldn’t collapse under the pressure. Had they released water, several towns would have been destroyed.”

As the waters rose, BOC quickly became a beacon of hope and health, opening its doors to offer shelter, showers, and food.

Youth Pastor Anthony Harrison said people were watching the water rise and not knowing what to do. One family, shocked by the flooding, sought shelter at the church. Harrison said, “It wasn’t even flooding in their home through any particular area, but water just started rising up through their floorboards.”

Church members sprang into action to meet the needs, preparing meals, delivering food to a flooded downtown senior center, and organizing donations. Many also took part in cleanup efforts. Lead Pastor Dave Cowan led crews, mucking out basements, carrying furniture, and shoveling mud. Youth volunteered wherever they could. Elders John Berg and Tim Martin each took a week off work to help with supply deliveries and provide on-the-ground assistance with Harrison and Pastor Dave.

Water rose quickly in the town of Westernport, submerging cars in less than an hour. (Photo submitted)

The damage was extensive. “If we had gotten more rain, the water would’ve gone into the first floor of some of the houses,” Harrison said. “There were some basements that were full, from the floor all the way up to their [first-level] floor joists.”

Volunteers from the community joined in, including school teachers and neighbors. Pastor Dave expressed his gratitude for the prayers, gifts, and support, including assistance from other local churches.

“We are thankful for the immediate response to our needs,” Dave said. “Many pastors and their members came, bringing supplies and donations and helping in any and every way needed. They even showed up one evening and cleaned our church so we could be ready for Sunday service. Joe Saweikis, the pastor of Mountain City Church, Frostburg, helped us with the food provisions so we didn’t have to cook every afternoon, and he packed lunches with us for deliveries.”

Three government agencies are stationed at BOC to provide immediate services to those affected by the flood, including individuals who lost cars and have no transportation to visit government offices for assistance.

Even mules played a role. “Mission Mules” helped carry supplies to hard-to-reach areas and made a special visit to the church daycare, bringing smiles to students and teachers.

Mission Mules were used to transport supplies. (Photo submitted)

Southern Baptist Disaster Relief teams, including Maryland/Delaware units, have stepped in to assist with long-term recovery. Partnering with BOC, they are working with individual homeowners. The church continues to serve as a hub for recovery efforts, providing a base for volunteers arriving from across the country. More DR teams are expected to arrive soon.

“We have been blessed that God has given us the ability to step in, use us as His hands and feet, and show the love of Jesus to these people,” Harrison said.

Currently, the church needs washers, dryers, hot water tanks, and furnaces. Donations can be made to support BOC and disaster relief efforts by visiting bcmd.org/give and designating contributions to Disaster Relief. 

Sharon Mager serves as BCM/D communications specialist and BCM/D news editor.