RIO LINDA, Calif. — For decades, a Rio Linda church has struggled with constant flooding problems during every single storm. Now, the First Apostolic Church is no longer standing, and Sacramento County officials intend to keep that area empty.
Since Robert Sanchez was 16 years old, he frequented the First Apostolic Church and helped sell pies every year.
"That's how they've always kind of paid the insurance of the church, because it was so expensive because of the flooding," he said.
Dry Creek runs right along the church's property and for years, it has caused extensive flooding issues for the church.
"It seemed like every year, but it was probably six or seven times since I was 16. That really was bad," said Sanchez.
Now, all that's left is a pile of debris following a demolition early Thursday morning.
"I mean, it's kind of bringing tears to my eyes because you miss that fellowship. And everybody that (has) gone to that church and pretty much been going to it, our lifetimes," Sanchez said.
Because of the constant flood problems, the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors approved the county's Department of Water Resources to buy it in 2019.
"We received a $1.2 million grant from FEMA. The purchase price was $600,000, and the rest we're using for demolition," said Sacramento County Public Information Officer Matt Robinson.
As far as what's next for the property, the county purposefully does not have much planned.
"The Parks and Recreation... will turn it into an area that is expected to be used for flooding. So if it floods, then this area won't have any buildings on it. And eventually, the water will seep down and recharge the groundwater," said Robinson.
Even though Sanchez's childhood is no longer there, he is hoping the county does something to honor the place he holds so close to his heart.
While the homelessness issue in Rio Linda is well known to the county, it says it will have to wait and see to address it if encampments start to form on the property.
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