The flood waters are still high a few minutes down the road. Because the sewage water is still draining, it’s been hard to make much progress getting the water out of the buildings and streets.
The President recently toured the area, which has been declared a disaster zone. Apparently, many hundreds of homes in other parts of Mexico City were also flooded. It adds up to several thousand homes in our state.
Obviously there is concern about the spread of disease in these areas. And again, with sudden flooding like this, many people have lost everything – furniture, appliances, clothes, computers – everything awash in sewage water.
As a group here we hope to get some relief supplies tomorrow, and start distributing as soon as we can. Obviously, it’s been hard thus far to get organized, with water levels still rising (although thankfully we haven’t had any more rain).
Cold and wind is also a concern – though hopefully the wind will help to dry things up.
If you’re interested in helping us provide relief supplies – even a few dollars will help – feel free to contact us by phone or email. Thanks to those who are praying, and the couple who have already donated.
Yesterday some of our friends went to take a look at the incredible flooding just a few minutes away from where we live.
The flooding happened on a major highway, which goes from Mexico City to the City of Puebla, in an area known as Chalco. I drove that highway yesterday and this morning, and where I got on was just where they had it all blocked off (but I was going the other direction).
The river (which is actually sewage water) actually runs above the highway, and so when the river bank burst the highway was quickly flooded, along with houses and businesses nearby. There were explosions – vehicles burned – people killed – it’s going to be a long time before anyone can even get some of the vehicles out of the river, which is now running through the highway and nearby buildings.
You need to understand, it rarely rains like this here, even in rainy season (it’s dry season now). The rain normally comes in short bursts with lots of sunshine in between. Continual rain over more than one day is rare, and no one is ready for it.
I’m going to include a couple videos below from Rod Fry, and I’ll give you a link below so that you can read more at his blog about the flooding and see more videos if you like.
We’re going to try to do some networking and see if we can provide some relief to families in the area, many of whom have probably lost everything. News sources have said that 12 thousand families were affected in Chalco. If you’d like to help, please let us know as soon as you can. Thanks! Hopefully we can distribute food, clothes … whatever people need … in Jesus’ name.
Here’s a Google Maps shot of the area where the river bank burst. You can see the river winding above the highway. If you zoom out just a bit, you’ll see Ixtapaluca where we live, north of the highway. We live just off the highway.
You’ll be glad to hear it’s a beautiful sunny day today. The house is slowly drying out!
It hasn’t been so good everywhere else. There were at least 7 deaths in Mexico due to flooding. And the major highway near us is closed. I hear someone was in a boat… on the highway… today!
I’m just heading [...]
Lewis Edgar Jones graduated from Moody Bible Institute, in Chicago, in the same class as famed evangelist Billy Sunday. Jones became actively involved in the YMCA, holding various positions in that organization over the years. His hymn writing (of both words and music) was a sideline, but he produced quite a few songs that were [...] […]
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Jim's Facebook Status
Jim Mexico Flooding - visit this link if you want to help the flood victims near us here in Mexico: http://htxt.it/KvI5.
(Updated 20 hours, 44 minutes ago)
Shari's Facebook Status
Shari had a very looooooooong day, and feels VERY ready for bed! Goodnight, all!
