Four feet of flooding is no small thing — it can upend lives, damage buildings beyond repair, and leave communities scrambling to recover. So when Church by the Sea experienced severe damage after a flood event, Flood Risk America provided free flood protection.
Our team’s response is just one example of how resilience and service can come together in times of need. But beyond this single event at Church by the Sea lies a larger story: the true cost of flooding, its ripple effects, and why flood protection is more important now than ever before.
The Impact of Flooding on Communities and Businesses
Flooding doesn’t just affect physical buildings, it disrupts entire communities, hubs, and places of worship like Church by the Sea. For businesses, flooding can mean:
- Weeks or even months of downtime
- Lost revenue
- Expensive recovery efforts
For homeowners and community organizations, it can mean:
- Displacement
- Financial strain
- Loss of irreplaceable belongings
A church like Church by the Sea isn’t just a building; it’s a community hub. When it floods, the entire network of people who rely on it for connection, support, and service feels the impact.
In many cases, recovery takes years - and some businesses or community institutions never reopen at all. That’s why immediate flood protection is so vital. It protects not only property but also the people and activities that make a community thrive.
Why Flood Protection Is Important Now More Than Ever
Climate change has made flooding more frequent, more intense, and less predictable. Events that were once considered “rare” are now occurring regularly. Even areas that have never experienced serious flooding are finding themselves at risk.
Flood damage doesn’t stop at the property line. Its consequences spread outward, impacting:
- Local economies - Businesses close, employees lose work, and supply chains are disrupted.
- Public safety - Standing water can lead to health risks, mold growth, and compromised infrastructure.
- Insurance and recovery costs - Rising premiums and inadequate coverage leave property owners vulnerable.
Whether it’s safeguarding a home, a business, or a community hub like Church by the Sea, proactive protection can mean the difference between quick recovery and total loss. Flood protection helps preserve the long-term stability of a community.
About Flood Risk America
Flood Risk America was created out of service. CEO Stephen Gill founded the company after serving on the Hurricane Katrina Recovery Team, where he witnessed firsthand the devastating impact of flooding. Amid the chaos of Katrina, he recalls feeling a profound moment of calm — “nature be still” — which solidified his mission to prevent future flood devastation.
Over the years, Flood Risk America noticed a major gap in the industry:
- Flood experts often provided advice but didn’t stay involved to implement solutions.
- Flood product companies offered generic products but lacked deep knowledge of flood risk and regulations.
Flood Risk America was built to fill that gap, offering tailored, guided solutions that combine expert risk analysis with hands-on mitigation, installation, and maintenance.
A Leader in Flood Risk Protection
Today, Flood Risk America is recognized as a leader in flood protection. We’ve partnered with FEMA and collaborated with multiple U.S. and Canadian property insurance carriers on key initiatives, including:
- Advising legislation for the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012
- Guiding the National Flood Insurance Forum (NFIF) in reviewing online flood education courses
Our mission remains the same as the day it began: to protect communities, businesses, and property owners from the devastating impact of flooding — and to ensure no one has to face disaster unprepared.
Helping Church by the Sea recover and strengthen its defenses is a reminder of why we do this work: protecting not just buildings, but the people, traditions, and community life they hold within their walls.