S Texas Flooding

S of La Joya
S of La Joya..that fence you see in the front is the famous Border Fence
You can see a a palm tree on the left in what looks to be a river, that is part of the flooding. The water is up to the top of the palm tree.
This is south of La Joya, one of the roads on the south side, water is getting close to the road.
This road is closed off, you can see the waters in the back.

Some of you may be wondering how the friends are faring due to the flooding we have had here. A bit of background. Within two weeks this area underwent a hurricane (Alex) and then a tropical storm. Both dropped quite a bit of water on the area but, more importantly, dumped even more water in the mountains of northern Mexico. Water flows down hill, right? The water from Mexico flows down the mountains, into the rivers, in the Rio Grande River. There are four dams that control the water, Amista (Del Rio) Falcon (Zapata) , Anzalduas (Mission) and Retamal (Donna) coming down.

The flooding that some of you have seen is along the river. The Rio Grande River snakes all the way down from it sources, from Del Rio down, it forms the boundary for the United States and Mexico. US Highway 83 runs along the river for the most part, at some points very close to the river, at other points far away.

Driving to Starr County today for field service, from La Joya to Rio Grande City, I could see the flood waters to the south, at some points the water was close to the road, at other points, it looked like a lake in the distance.

Along the river there are small communities that have been there for ages. Some of these are suffering heavy damage and flooding. The authorities have declared mandatory evacuations of these areas. Some of our brothers have been affected, in fact, three from our congregation. Their homes are not under water, yet, but the possibility is there. I have heard of some of the Spanish friends who have been evacuated but not an exact number. For the most part, all are safe, have not heard any more.

There are several large cities that are on or next to the river, Brownsville, Hidalgo, La Joya, Rio Grande City, Roma and Laredo. La Joya, Rio Grande City, Roma and Laredo have seen flood waters within the city limits, on the southern side of Hwy 83.

I have heard from an elder in Del Rio that 20 families across from Del Rio have been flooded. They are helping the brothers in Mexico.

Some of you may be wondering, what can I do to help? If any want to help you can do so by donating monies to the Society. They are working to assist the friends in need. That is best way you can help.

Anyway, I am high and dry unless the dams break (highly unlikely). The hurricane season does not end until late November. We are in the middle of the season, we cannot afford another hurricane or tropical storm dumping more rain here or in the mountains of Mexico. The dams are filled to capacity and more.

That is it for now.