I hope you all have heard from your missionaries today. If not, please let me know and I'll see that you hear from them as soon as possible. I was told every missionary emailed his/her parents and family.
It's been a busy day focused mainly on avoiding flooding caused by breaching reservoirs, creeks, and bayous. We spent considerable time today researching the releases and forecasted breaches and where missionaries' apartments were located in relationship to water flows in order to ensure any missionaries in potential flood zones were evacuated. I am pleased to say that tonight all missionaries are safe and dry in apartments. We moved some more missionaries today to be in safer apartments, usually on a second or third floor, or away from flooding waterways. So far, decisions appear to be good as no missionaries have had water enter their apartments in which they are living except for some leaks which are not threatening. We understand that the apartment of one companionship we moved two days ago is now flooded but those missionaries have been safe and dry with other missionaries. We do not have an official report on the temple but one photo we saw showed water up to the entry doors, so please keep the temple in your prayers. There were several power outages today but power was restored generally within 2 hours. Everyone has power as of tonight.
Several missionaries were able to venture out to the store or church building today as long as roads were safe. They each needed approval to do so and used good wisdom and judgment to stay safe. The brethren have asked us not have the missionaries be involved in hazardous rescues at this time to protect these young missionaries. We will soon be donning yellow jerseys, however, to help clean up and help Houston recover. I was involved with Super Storm Sandy assistance as Stake President of the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Stake. Our stake performed over 3,000 hours of service in New Jersey to help remediate the devastating effects of Sandy, so I have some experience that will hopefully be helpful.
The rain was off and on today and some water is receding. We are very blessed so far as we've heard of several evacuations of ward members in multiple wards because of flooded homes and neighborhoods, but the missionary apartments in those areas were not impacted. There is still considerable water in the streets and the rain continues so the missionaries are not going out tomorrow unless we talk first, they stay very close to home, and streets are free of standing water.
The missionaries have great faith in the Lord and His watchful care of His missionaries. Thank you also for continuing to exercise faith on our behalf.
- President Peterson
