THM Recovery Update 8/31 10:00 pm CT

The sun was shining today and most areas continue to dry out, but it will take a while--Harvey dropped One Trillion gallons of water on Harris County, where much of our mission is located.  That's enough water to fill the Houston Astro Dome 3,200 times. 70% of Harris County was covered with an average of 1.5 feet of water. 

The Addicks and Barker Reservoirs are now the main focus of continuing flooding.  Creeks and Bayous are receding and many roads flooded by those creeks are now passable.  The reservoirs continue to dump water to avoid overflow and this is flooding neighborhoods in the vicinity of the reservoirs.  For this reason, we continue to keep 18 missionaries out of their apartments because, although there is no water near their apartments at this time, they could be impacted in the event of a dam breach.  Another 6 missionaries returned to their apartments today as the creeks in proximity to their apartments have receded.  Another 2 missionaries are temporarily out of there apartment because of flood damage, even though the water has receded.  We are getting them another apartment quickly.  Our mission office staff are amazing and so dedicated.  We love them dearly and thank them for sacrificing to leave their homes and come on their missions to serve with us.  

Today, the missionaries were out doing good work.  They are so happy to help and very hard workers.  We are emphasizing safety with them and the stake and ward leaders.  There are specific rules they must follow.  Missionaries in less impacted areas like College Station, Conroe, Sealy, and Huntsville are anxious to get assignments to help closer in to Houston.  We are allowing them to travel to central locations and embed themselves with stake and ward leaders.  It is inspiring to see.  

You will see some of the photos below from today.  Thank you for all your support and love.

-  President Peterson 

A THM Missionary's Family Sends a Heartfelt Message

Mission Home Lake Rose Nearly To The Back Door

Thankfully, The Rains Slowed At That Point

President Peterson With Missionaries At Mission Office

Missionaries Don Yellow "Helping Hands" T-Shirts 

Missionaries Picking Up Supplies At Mission Office

Two Yellow Shirts Were Issued To Each Missionary Because We'll Be Busy!

Happy Missionaries Cleaning Up

Sister Missionaries Looking At Some Flood Photos

Sisters Take A Break From Clean Up to Come To Mission Office 

To Pick Up A New Companion - A Sister Returning From Her Mission In Brazil 

Was Changing Planes In Houston and Got Stuck.  We Retrieved Her and

She'll Keep Serving With Us Until Her Flight Home Tomorrow

Missionaries Got Dirty But Were Happy To Help

THM Missionaries Had To Remove Many 

Valuables From Homes

Streets Are Lined With Destroyed Property

A Family Is Help

This Scene Is Common All Over Houston - Water Soaked

Furniture, Walls, Insulation.  Removal is Called "Mucking Out" and

The Missionaries are Getting Proficient At It

Mucked Out 

Missionary and Member Take a Break

THM Storm Update Wednesday 8/30 11:00 pm CT

Today, the missionaries were out helping clean up.  There is significant flood damage to homes. They are taking precautions to be safe.  They are embedded with their local leaders who are organizing work groups and have the proper tools.  I had several reports today that missionaries worked hard and were tired but happy to help and get out and work.

The reservoir situations are still tenuous.  They released water today from them and flooded areas within a mile or less of some of the apartments we vacated.  We will have our missionaries stay in their temporary housing for now and until we feel it is safe to return to the apartments.  Creeks are starting to recede.  The temple took on several feet of water and we don't know yet when it will begin to be cleaned out, but the Cyprus Creek that caused the damage is receding and has gone down considerably.

I have received many requests from parents or other members outside of Houston to come help or send supplies.  I spoke to our Emergency Response leaders today and they indicated that the Church is putting together a hotline or website to direct people how they can help or how to send supplies.  I will share that as soon as I get it.

I will try to get some pictures of missionaries helping in projects and post them in the next few days.  You will enjoy seeing your missionaries in action.  They are awesome and are learning lessons that will help them all their lives.  They are not only learning themselves but are helping those devastated by this storm.  They have a way to bring comfort to those in distress the way others can't.  There is a reason they are here at this time and the Lord is using them and their talents to help His children.

-  President Peterson

THM Storm Update Wednesday 8/30 9:00 am CT

Sorry this post is later than usual.  Sister Peterson, our daughter, Hailey, and I evacuated the mission home Sunday night and we were able to return this morning so we've been busy with that.  Thankfully, although the lake behind us came up to the back porch, it stabilized there and no damage was incurred to our home. 

The good news is that it did not rain last night and we see sun this morning.  Today should be cloudy but the forecast shows no rain with sun expected Thursday and Friday.  That will help dry out the area tremendously.  We met with all zone leadership by conference call this morning and reiterated that waterways are swollen and dangerous.  Missionaries are to avoid getting near any standing water or waterways. They will avoid flooded neighborhoods for now and areas around reservoirs.  All evacuated missionaries will remain in place until we assess the safety of the areas their apartments are in.

That said, there are many areas that are dry now and that need help.  All missionaries went out this morning to perform service.  Some are going to help at evacuation centers or community centers.  Others are going to LDS meetinghouses to help with activities there.  There are also ward member needs that are being organized by local ecclesiastical leaders.  The missionaries will follow the rules for these situations which are, for example, no use of power equipment, no going on roofs, no climbing ladders, no entering water, etc.

There were half a million cars lost in the storm in Houston.  The THM lost no cars. We feel very blessed and have felt your prayers and faith.  There is a conference call tonight for Church leaders and emergency management leaders to determine next steps.  After that we will begin to get more organized on clean up efforts and can report on activities.  I will update the blog once each evening for the short-term so parents and loved ones know what is happening.  For now, we can all breathe easier that the threats have subsided and we are back into the business of serving our fellowman as would the Savior.

-  President Peterson

THM Mission Storm Update Tues. 8/29 10:30 pm CT

The best news today is that it did not rain nearly as much as was predicted.  Water is receding in many parts of the mission.  Members whose homes were either flooded or close to flooding are starting to dry out.  As we looked at the skies tonight about 6 pm, we saw blue for the first time in 4 days.  It was a sight for sore eyes.

As mentioned in prior posts, our biggest concern now is the swollen creeks, reservoirs and bayous (slow moving water ways).  The Spring Creek is now falling but still very high and close to bridges.  Cypress Creek has flooded and sent several feet of water into the temple (see Mormon Newsroom).  There is still much street flooding from the creeks so we are cautious in our movements, staying close to apartments and never driving through water.  Today, my biggest concern was the Addicks and Barker reservoirs (in the southwest part of our mission) which are at record capacity.  The Army Corp or Engineers was releasing water from them to relieve pressure but it wasn't fast enough and Addicks was starting to overflow this morning.  We did not want any missionaries near that reservoir if the dam was compromised so we relocated 20 missionaries today whose apartments might possibly be affected if a catastrophic failure occurred.  It is an unlikely event, but we take all precautions with our missionaries.  These missionaries are safe with other missionaries or members (usually bishops and stake presidencies) well away from the reservoirs.  The people of Houston, the Church members and Church leaders here are exceptionally generous and compassionate.  Soon, it will be our turn to help give service.

In fact, today, many missionaries were out giving service at local meetinghouses which were used as shelters or evacuation points.  Tomorrow, very little rain is expected and we will be out providing service as long as it does not include being in water.  I understand that three tractor-trailers full of supplies arrived from SLC to the bishop's storehouse next to the Mission office today.  That will provide much needed relief to residents.  So many have been devastated by this flood.  I made it to the mission office today and it is nice and dry.  We have supplies there including yellow Helping Hands shirts and leather gloves that missionaries will use to show the community our support and love.  We will most likely distribute these Thursday if the weather holds up (it is supposed to be sunny Thursday!).

We had planned a special zone conference on Friday with many great teachings and special guest speakers, Chad and Michelle Lewis.  Chad is an all-American and All-Pro tight end who played for BYU and the Philadelphia Eagles.  He was coming to Houston as part of the BYU-LSU football game that has been anticipated for a year to be played here in NRG stadium.  Unfortunately, the game has been moved out of Houston due to the storm.  We will most likely postpone the conference for another time as I know the missionaries were very excited for it.

We hope to get a good night's sleep.  If you have specific questions or concerns please email me and I'd be happy to answer them for you.   We love and appreciate you.  These are very fine missionaries who are obedient and are blessed for their willingness to follow the Savior.

-  President Peterson

THM Storm Update Tuesday 8/29 10:30 am

All missionaries are safe and dry as of this morning.  It rained off and on but we are still expecting 5-7" of rain over the next couple of days.  Our mission covers west and north of Houston and the track of the storm is now showing it moving north and east so we are hopeful the rainfall in our mission will subside.  On the farthest point west of the mission, Sealy, there were reports this morning from our missionaries of blue skies.  That is great news.

There is still considerable flooding in the mission boundaries, especially in areas close to creeks and bayous.  The two major creeks that run through the mission are Spring Creek and Cypress Creek.  Spring Creek crested this morning at 2 am.  Two sister missionaries were told by police to evacuate at 1:00 am.  They called me and we were able to get them safely to a shelter and from there members only one block from the shelter picked them up and have them safe in their home.  I have emailed the parents of those missionaries so no need to worry if you did not get an email from me.

On a case by case basis, the missionaries are requesting permission to go out and serve.  I am approving only those where there is no flood water standing.  Some LDS Meetinghouses are being used as shelters and the missionaries are going there to serve if the meetinghouses are nearby and roads are not flooded.  We are using extreme caution with anyone leaving their apartments.

Thank you for your prayers.

-  President Peterson

THM Storm Update Monday 8/28 10:00 pm CT

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

THM Storm Update Monday 8/28 10:30 am CT

By now I hope you have heard from your missionary sons and daughters.  They have been given some approvals to access wifi or computers with members, retail stores, etc. to get their emails out first thing this morning.  I will be checking this afternoon that all missionaries have communicated with their parents.  I'm sure you have heard their positive reports.  If you have any concerns please email me.

We had good conference call check-ins this morning with all zones.  Rains held off somewhat last night allowing the flood waters to recede a bit and at least not rise.  All missionaries were safe as of 8 am with power, food and no water in apartments.   All have access to higher ground on a second floor.  We relocated a few more missionaries today to be where we feel the situation may be safer in the event of more flooding.

I have given permission to some missionaries, on a case by case basis, to leave their apartments to access wifi or pick up supplies.  They are not to go out if they see any standing water on the roads.  They are not to drive through water and are to turn around if they see standing water or rain starts heavy again.  They are using great judgment and wisdom.

You will see some news reports of swollen reservoirs and creeks.  We have looked at their location and where floods might occur should they release excess water or have a breach.  We do not feel any apartments are in any danger of being flooded by those potential events.   Where apartments are close to creeks, we have relocated missionaries, especially if they were in a 1st floor apartment.

We will check in again this afternoon and make sure all missionaries are safe and in their apartments.  The prayers are working!

-  President Peterson