U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Orders to evacuate the San Francisco area came on February 20 due to rising water and floods.
According to Fox News, “Evacuations were ordered in Central California on Monday and flash-flood warnings were issued elsewhere as downpours swelled creeks and rivers to troubling levels in the already soggy region.”
It was feared by authorities that the rising water levels could break levees. In fact, it did break one levee, forcing evacuations.
The US News and World Report explains, “A levee break along the San Joaquin River prompted an evacuation order for about 500 people living in mainly ranch and farmlands near Manteca, San Joaquin County authorities said.”
It was feared that more levees were damaged, but after inspection, it was found that only a few other levees had been damaged at the time.
The Los Angeles Times reports, “But less than 90 minutes after issuing the alert, the agency changed its report to say the retention basin in Dayton, Nev., had not failed. Instead, it was full and overflowing into drainage areas, the weather service said.”
Despite the fact that levees were all safe, Northern California wanted to make sure their residents were all in areas where they were out of harm’s way.
The Los Angeles Times explains, “In San Jose, city officials declared a local emergency after streets became flooded as water levels rose along Coyote Creek. San Jose firefighters waded through flooded streets in rafts, rescuing residents trapped in their homes and in trees in the Rock Springs neighborhood. Those who walked through dirty floodwaters were hosed off and decontaminated, officials said.”
Short-term missionaries are making a difference in reaching Los Angeles with the Good News.
Next Step Ministries reports, “At the beginning of the week, you will meet and become friends with many individuals living in a state of homelessness […] As the week goes on, you will also see and meet those who once lived in a state of homelessness and are now empowered in a life with a job, home, and renewed sense of Christ.”
Please pray for those evacuating , that they would be protected. Also, pray for those in Next Step ministries, that they would be able to share Christ’s love with the homeless.
Fox News: Heavy rain forces California residents to evacuate
Los Angeles Times: Powerful storms continue to batter Northern California amid concern about levees
U.S. News and World Report: Evacuations Ordered Amid Heavy Northern California Rain
Next Step Ministries: LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA
