Tulsa church flooded by broken water main rebuilding again

61st Street may be reopened after that massive water main break on Monday, but it will be some time before Woodland Hills Church of Christ is able to reopen after that water main flooded the entire church.

Ross Oldenkamp preaches at the church.

One of his parishioners tipped him off to possible problems at the church.

Oldenkamp says, "I got a call from one of our members that said we might be flooded but I didn't really believe it at first."

When Oldenkamp arrived at the church, his worst fears were confirmed.

Oldenkamp seems optimistic because this isn't the first time his church flooded.

He says, "This is about our third flood in the last two years. We were flooded in the winter of 2010 when we had a pipe burst. We just had new carpet put down. It is less than 2 years old."

The flood of 2010 prepared Oldenkam for this latest catastrophe.

Oldenkamp says, "I brought my boots. I didn't have wet shoes this time. Of course, I forgot a flashlight."

Oldenkamp tells KRMG that a church in Owasso has volunteered to share its facilities until the Woodland Hills Church of Christ is repaired.

Crews reopened a few lanes on 61st Street between Memorial Drive and Mingo Road after all lanes were closed Monday morning.

A 48-inch line ruptured about 9:15 A.M. flooding the church.

It took crews more than 2 hours to get enough valves shut off to bring the broken water main under control.

Tulsa Water & Sewer Department personnel are continuing their work to repair the water line.

They are still looking into a cause.