All missionaries are safely in their apartments and ready for a good night's sleep. Today was fairly uneventful. The missionaries who lost power earlier today, had it restored after 2 hours and have power tonight. Some more missionaries were relocated to other apartments to either get them from a 1st floor apartment to a 2nd floor, or from an apartment close to where we estimate greater flooding to another apartment where we expect less flooding.
Tomorrow is P-day and I'm sure you are anxious to hear from your missionaries. I have asked them to write you first thing. However, as mentioned earlier, not all missionaries will have access to wifi. They were told tonight that they can use their apartment complex computer, possibly a computer at a local meetinghouse, or they might find a neighbor from which they can borrow their wifi. If they cannot access the internet, they can call me and I'll relay messages.
We are expected to get the same amount of rain tonight that we got last night. There are two creeks in our mission that are expected to crest tonight. That will flood additional roads. As long as the missionaries stay on high ground (2nd or 3rd floors) they will be safe. They have their food and water supplies that should last several days. We will check in with all zone leadership again tomorrow morning from 8-9:30 am.
I received an email tonight from a friend who is president of the Las Vegas, NV mission. He told me that at 5 pm tonight, his missionaries all collectively offered prayers on behalf of our missionaries and all the inhabitants of the Houston area. We feel your prayers and faith. The brethren are being updated daily. They love the missionaries so much.
- President Peterson
Sunday, August 27, 2017
THM Storm Update Sunday 8/27 4:00 pm CT
All missionaries stayed in their apartments today. The rain has continued and waters have risen. As of 2:00 pm, most missionaries report no visible issues outside their apartments with a few reporting water in the parking lots. There is no water in apartments yet, which is good. Almost all the heavy flooding you see on the news is downtown and south, not in our mission. However, we expect some flooding overnight in our mission. Swollen creeks are ready to flood their banks. We have already moved missionaries whose apartments were in some proximity to creeks.
It will rain through the night so we are keeping an eye on it. Missionaries have access to higher ground in their apartments and all know that if water enters their apartments, they should get to the second floor. One apartment lost power about 2:00 pm. The missionaries in that apartment are fine and have flashlights and food. We will be calling them frequently but have them preserve their battery life in their phone. All missionaries have food and water. So far, all communications have stayed functional and I have talked to many missionaries today by phone. There was a rumor earlier today that the water supply was going to be shut off, but the Office of Emergency Management made it clear that was not true.
We will check in with the zone leadership tonight by 9:30 and post another update. Tomorrow is Pday so you should be able to hear from most missionaries tomorrow. However, there may be issues getting to wifi or computers. If they can't get to a computer or wifi, we will have them write emails on their tablets and send them as soon as they can get to wifi. I will tell the missionaries who may be stuck without access all day to get me a message and I can pass it along to their families. These are wonderful missionaries. We love them!
- President Peterson
It will rain through the night so we are keeping an eye on it. Missionaries have access to higher ground in their apartments and all know that if water enters their apartments, they should get to the second floor. One apartment lost power about 2:00 pm. The missionaries in that apartment are fine and have flashlights and food. We will be calling them frequently but have them preserve their battery life in their phone. All missionaries have food and water. So far, all communications have stayed functional and I have talked to many missionaries today by phone. There was a rumor earlier today that the water supply was going to be shut off, but the Office of Emergency Management made it clear that was not true.
We will check in with the zone leadership tonight by 9:30 and post another update. Tomorrow is Pday so you should be able to hear from most missionaries tomorrow. However, there may be issues getting to wifi or computers. If they can't get to a computer or wifi, we will have them write emails on their tablets and send them as soon as they can get to wifi. I will tell the missionaries who may be stuck without access all day to get me a message and I can pass it along to their families. These are wonderful missionaries. We love them!
- President Peterson
THM Storm Update Sunday 8/27 11:00 am CT
Our mission area received from 10-15" of rain last night. All missionaries are safe and in their apartments. There is some minor flooding in many of the areas of our mission but we haven't seen anything like in the south of Houston or the coast. We do not have water entering any apartments as of this morning. We have moved some missionaries from their apartments if they are located near creeks. They are on higher ground with other missionaries.
All missionaries were checked on this morning first thing and instructions were given to stay in their apartments today to study and plan. About half of the missionaries are in apartments located on the 2nd or 3rd floors of their buildings so flooding should not be a concern for them. Those missionaries living on first floors all have easy access to the second floor of their apartment complexes and they have instructions to leave their apartment if water is coming into their apartment. They would take water and food supplies as well as any valuables. There are no apartments at this time that have water in them or that are in imminent danger of water entering them. Of course, there is more rain on the way so we are keeping a close eye on each situation. I expect another update from the zone leadership on each missionary this afternoon at 2:00 pm CT.
We do not feel any danger for any missionaries. All are in safe places and doing well--they are in high spirits. They are wonderful examples of faith! Ward and Stake members are also keeping an eye on the missionaries and would help if necessary. Thank you for your prayers.
All missionaries were checked on this morning first thing and instructions were given to stay in their apartments today to study and plan. About half of the missionaries are in apartments located on the 2nd or 3rd floors of their buildings so flooding should not be a concern for them. Those missionaries living on first floors all have easy access to the second floor of their apartment complexes and they have instructions to leave their apartment if water is coming into their apartment. They would take water and food supplies as well as any valuables. There are no apartments at this time that have water in them or that are in imminent danger of water entering them. Of course, there is more rain on the way so we are keeping a close eye on each situation. I expect another update from the zone leadership on each missionary this afternoon at 2:00 pm CT.
We do not feel any danger for any missionaries. All are in safe places and doing well--they are in high spirits. They are wonderful examples of faith! Ward and Stake members are also keeping an eye on the missionaries and would help if necessary. Thank you for your prayers.
Saturday, August 26, 2017
THM Storm Update Saturday 8/26 10:00 pm CT
Missionaries were out some today teaching, baptizing, doing service and finding those prepared to hear the restored gospel. It has rained off and on and the rivers and creeks have risen in some areas due to rains. There were some tornado warnings this afternoon so we had the missionaries in the affected areas return to their apartments early. As of 8 pm, all missionaries were safe in their apartments. We have moved a few missionaries from apartments that are close to swollen creeks.
Tomorrow, many church meetings are cancelled. Others are expecting to have sacrament meeting only depending on conditions. We expect to get rain during the night so we'll assess the situation in the morning and the missionaries will only be able to leave their apartments if conditions are safe. I expect most will spend tomorrow in their apartments studying and preparing for the upcoming zone conference next week. We will expect to provide service and help clean up after the waters recede. We appreciate the prayers of the faithful.
Tomorrow, many church meetings are cancelled. Others are expecting to have sacrament meeting only depending on conditions. We expect to get rain during the night so we'll assess the situation in the morning and the missionaries will only be able to leave their apartments if conditions are safe. I expect most will spend tomorrow in their apartments studying and preparing for the upcoming zone conference next week. We will expect to provide service and help clean up after the waters recede. We appreciate the prayers of the faithful.
Update on Hurricane Harvey 3:00 pm Saturday 8/26
It's been pretty quiet this Saturday. Missionaries did not leave their apartments until about 11 am when we were sure things weren't getting worse. There has been a little rain off and on all day but not much accumulation. We are waiting to hear if church meetings will be held tomorrow. Several baptisms were held today but some were postponed for next week.
All missionaries are safe and accounted for. They are out working now for the most part. Staying fairly close to their apartments in case rain starts coming down. We will keep a close eye on the rainfall and how it will impact roads and waterways. We will update later tonight when all missionaries are in their apartments.
All missionaries are safe and accounted for. They are out working now for the most part. Staying fairly close to their apartments in case rain starts coming down. We will keep a close eye on the rainfall and how it will impact roads and waterways. We will update later tonight when all missionaries are in their apartments.
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| No Rain For Several Hours Outside Mission Home |
Friday, August 25, 2017
Update on Hurricane Harvey 8/25 11:00 pm CT
We have been keeping a close eye on the weather today. Fortunately, we had very little rain in the Mission. This allowed us to continue with holding our District Meetings this morning and our Faith Meets Family event this evening at the temple. Because the Missionary Department of the Church was in town filming some training of our mission's unique use of Family History in doing missionary work, we were hopeful that our events today would transpire and not be cancelled. We were very blessed to be able to not only hold the events, but film several interviews outdoors and other scenes that will be used for training other missions. It was a great blessing and those who attended were very touched and full of gratitude. See some pictures below of the day.
As for the next steps with storm preparation and actions, the missionaries have been told not to leave their apartments tomorrow until their mission president gives the green light. If the rain is coming down heavily we will stay in our apartments. However, as of this writing it is only drizzling and the missionaries are safe in their apartments. Heavier rain is expected tomorrow and we will need to watch the direction the storm takes. Two stake conferences in the mission were cancelled for this weekend already. We have several baptismal services planned for tomorrow but, again, will wait until the morning to make the final decision as to whether to move forward or not.
While the storm has made landfall, it remains to the southwest of Houston so we are not seeing major impacts. We will assess the situation tomorrow. As I receive updates on the missionaries during the day tomorrow, I plan to update this blog so that you will know your missionaries are safe and what their orders are. I am also working with local ecclesiastical leaders (11 stake presidents) to ensure that members watch over the missionaries. They are in good hands.
Thank you for your love and prayers.
Sincerely,
President Jordan P. Peterson
As for the next steps with storm preparation and actions, the missionaries have been told not to leave their apartments tomorrow until their mission president gives the green light. If the rain is coming down heavily we will stay in our apartments. However, as of this writing it is only drizzling and the missionaries are safe in their apartments. Heavier rain is expected tomorrow and we will need to watch the direction the storm takes. Two stake conferences in the mission were cancelled for this weekend already. We have several baptismal services planned for tomorrow but, again, will wait until the morning to make the final decision as to whether to move forward or not.
While the storm has made landfall, it remains to the southwest of Houston so we are not seeing major impacts. We will assess the situation tomorrow. As I receive updates on the missionaries during the day tomorrow, I plan to update this blog so that you will know your missionaries are safe and what their orders are. I am also working with local ecclesiastical leaders (11 stake presidents) to ensure that members watch over the missionaries. They are in good hands.
Thank you for your love and prayers.
Sincerely,
President Jordan P. Peterson
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| District Meeting In Spring Zone This Morning |
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District Meeting in the Spring Zone This Morning
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| Members and Missionaries Attend "Faith Meets Families" Tonight |
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Members and Missionaries Attend "Faith Meets Families" Tonight at the Temple
The Rain and Wind Held Off All Day
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Thursday, August 24, 2017
Update on Hurricane Harvey - 8/24 11:30 pm CT
The good news for Houston is that Harvey will make landfall
south and west of us so we should feel minimal effects of the wind and ocean
surge. However, we should expect heavy and steady rain from Saturday
until as late as Wednesday. This could cause flooding as the ground
cannot absorb all that rainfall. Each companionship is preparing for
possible flooding and/or power outages as follows:
- Purchased bottled water (3 gallons per missionary).
- Have some ready-to-eat snacks that can be eaten with no preparation. Granola bars, fruit snacks, crackers, PopTarts, etc.
- Instructed to have automobile gas tank full and mobile phones charged. In an emergency we must be able to communicate by text message.
- In no circumstances are missionaries to approach, walk through or drive through standing water.
- In case of power loss, have a flashlight with fresh batteries. They should not have any open flame in their apartments (i.e., no candles, lanterns, etc.).
- Missionaries will report to their zone leaders (there are two zone leaders for approximately every 20 missionaries) about their safety and conditions in their areas at least twice a day starting Saturday at noon. The zone leaders will contact the missionaries for updates.
- If the missionaries have flooding in their areas, defined as standing or flowing water on the roads, fields, roadsides, parking lots, etc. they should stay in their apartments.
- If there is no flooding, but the rain is very heavy and constant, making it difficult to ride a bike or see while driving, the missionaries are to stay in their apartments.
- The zone leaders will update me several times a day on each missionary. We have set up a instant notification system using their tablet devices, and phones if necessary.
- We will work with local members to help any missionaries who need to evacuate their apartments but we do not expect this to be necessary.
- We will post update once or twice daily to the Texas Houston Mission blog. Parents can check the blog for updates. The Blog address is http://texashoustonmission.blogspot.com/. There should be no need for you to contact the mission office or anyone else in the area as we will keep you informed with updates.
- Of course, any concerns with any specific missionaries that we identify will result in a personal phone call from me to the parents.
- We are in constant communication with Church headquarters and with the Area Welfare Specialist and Regional Disaster Response Coordinator so we have the most current and best sources of information and can plan accordingly.
Please be assured, our highest priority is the safety of
the missionaries. We are confident all will be well and that we are well
prepared. Thank you for your prayers and love.
Warmest Regards,
Jordan P. Peterson
President, Texas Houston Mission
(281) 440-6770
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