Flooding Temporarily Closes St. Luke Community Clinic, Efforts Underway to Reopen

On Friday, January 10, St. Luke Community Clinic, a vital nonprofit healthcare provider in Front Royal, VA, faced an unexpected crisis when a sprinkler system pipe burst in the attic. The incident caused extensive flooding throughout the building, forcing the clinic to temporarily shut its doors.

Emergency responders, including the fire department, police, and utility company, were on the scene quickly. Despite their efforts, the damage was severe. Ceilings collapsed in the hallway and two examination rooms, while other rooms and the waiting area were left waterlogged.

“It was heartbreaking to see the extent of the damage,” said Vicki Davies, Executive Director of St. Luke Community Clinic. “Our clinic is a lifeline for so many in this community, and having to close, even temporarily, has been incredibly difficult for everyone.”

St. Luke Community Clinic provides low-cost healthcare to low-income, uninsured residents of Front Royal and Warren County. As a charitable care clinic, it charges only nominal fees and offers chronic and acute care but is not equipped for medical emergencies.

By Tuesday, progress had been made to restore limited functionality to the building. Electricity was turned back on in the front section of the clinic, but heat and running water remain unavailable. Until these critical utilities are restored, the clinic cannot safely reopen to patients.

“We’re doing everything we can to reopen as quickly as possible,” Davies explained. “We know how important our services are to the community, and we’re working tirelessly to move forward. In the meantime, we’re monitoring phone calls to assist patients remotely.”

Some patients have still come to the clinic seeking care, highlighting just how crucial St. Luke’s services are for the community. Staff is hopeful that heat and water will be restored soon, allowing them to reopen at least the front portion of the building.

“The community has always been so supportive of St. Luke, and we’re incredibly grateful for everyone’s patience and understanding during this challenging time,” Davies added.

As repairs continue, the staff at St. Luke remains committed to ensuring the safety of the facility while working toward reopening. Updates on the clinic’s status will be shared with patients as they become available.