FLOOD WATCH: DAY ONE

It's a little wet here in southern Oregon. The pictures you see here were taken this afternoon from the middle of the brand new bridge in our city. The bridge spans Little Butte Creek (for you out-of-towners, Butte is like "Beauty"). Only Little Butte Creek is not so little at the moment. Days and days of steady rain, coupled with mild temperatures which are melting the snow pack at higher elevations, have caused our rivers and streams to rise...and rise....and rise.

I'd love to say I got a picture of the Loch Ness Monster, but it is actually a log...a tree-sized log....floating down the creek. The last time our rivers got this high was the famous flood of 97...New Year's Day, no less (I remember our church served as a Red Cross aid station). Now the experts are saying that this set of flood watches and warnings are not as bad as 97. But from the looks of things, our town might be in for some wet times. The lower level, creek side park benches at the site of the new visitor center (being constructed) are almost submerged. Some of the backyards that line the lower part of the creek are filling with water. My daughter reported that a few low level side streets are closed due to backed up storm drains.

Our family is fine...we are situated away from flood danger. But my prayer is for folks in our church body and in the community who may have to contend with this. No, it's nothing like the after-effects of Katrina, and it won't make headlines past our region. But our community is important, so if you could pray for us as we enter the new year, we would appreciate it. And I will attempt to keep you posted on our Flood Watch.