New Flood this Morning

I woke this morning early to a serious thunderstorm. I LIKE thunder, so I smiled and nestled in for some more sleep. Then I remembered the recent flood and thought that the people here would probably not share my enthusiasm. When the rain finally let up a few hours later, it was time to investigate.

I went for a ride after the rain subsided to go look around. Felize was eager to join me and on the way we picked up Francisco and David, 2 older boys who are our nearest neighbors. They were happy to go with us. At a few points along the way, we had David go ahead of us to test the depth of the flowing water covering the road. When I expressed concern that he not get knocked over, his older brother simply said, "He can swim."

We went thru 4 or 5 low areas until we got to within about 1/2 mile from the little creek with the raised up bridge. That was as close as we could get. They anticipated that in about 4-6 hours, you should be able to make it then but not this morning, that's for sure.

The road changed a LOT during this one rainfall - a normal car would not fare well here. In fact, just this morning, even though we were being very careful, somewhere along the way, a rock must have sliced the side wall on my left front tire as a nice flap of rubber is hanging there now. Felize had told me that the rocks on this road can be very sharp - this proves it!

It is interesting what a difference a few hours of rain can make here!

"Gifts" from Guatemala

CULTURAL ADVENTURE

This last week has been interesting. I accompanied Rev. Jafet Pat on a journey to attend an Education Conference at STN, Seminario Theologico Nazareno, in Guatemala. I am REALLY glad that he took me. I did not know what was being said most of the time which was not so bad in the meetings as he translated or I read most of what was in print (I could figure that part out)

However, listening to the people speak is a whole 'nother ballgame! (Which brings up another point in itself, they play and watch a lot of futbol...but it's not the football we think of, it is what the rest of the world calls futbol - or soccer, to us Norte Americanos)

I was so glad to simply be following my friend and not having to understand what everyone was saying when we got on and off buses, went through customs to get out of Belize and then into Guatemala, exchanging money with men I could hardly catch a word of ...trying to understand something about what bus? where? when? what cost? oooohhhh mmmyyyyyyyy....

SO much easier to say, Jafet, how much? Where now? OK, thanks or ah, gracias!

OUTSIDER PERSPECTIVE

Seriously though, it was great to be the outsider, the one who could not understand what people were saying but still know they were talking about me. When they asked Jafet about me, very few would even look at me and he did not ask me to respond, so I was often just an observer, of quickly spoken words of a different language, head nods and an occasional smile.

I enjoyed this, not because it was comfortable but because it gave me the rare chance to see what is is like for someone visiting the US but unable to converse clearly in English. My

 horizons have been expanded by how we can simply ignore, shy away or sit awkwardly among those we cannot easily talk to. I quickly became thankful and appreciative of those who tried to speak to me, in either language.

GENEROSITY

This educational conference focused largely on how we need to be continuing to develop further ways to reach out to those who need to be taught and not just wait for them to meet our expectations. The people we met in Guatemala were from a few of the neighboring Central American countries. One common thread, in addition to a love for their food, and easy laughter, was that they were so willing to offer help. Jafet and I talked of this as offer's continued to come - in the way of encouragement, help in developing online courses, other offering to come teach in Southern Belize, and English books for a much needed library for the pastors.

It was so refreshing to receive offer after offer. None of these came because we had money to give them, in fact the offers come at their own expense. The generous 'gifts' came because they showed us generous hearts, willing attitudes and hearts for the lost and those needed training in the things 

of the Lord.

We both came away refreshed and encouraged by these other brothers and sisters who are already working hard in their own countries but had such freely offered they support. It seemed like a living NT letter being spoken aloud in real time instead of being read from a historical perspective.

PRAYER WINS AGAIN

Can I say "Thank You" again to those who prayed for our safe travel. The 2 overnight bus rides did not prove uneventful but were quite safe, despite lightning and rain and cows running alongside our bus this morning and crowded narrow city streets and winding, windy, twisty, curvy mountain roads.

HEY JERSEY!

I saw a man at the bus stop in Guatemala City wearing a Cape May Bird Observatory tshirt...! Did I just hear Carl break into that lovable song, "It's a Small World After All!"? (sorry, just had to !)

2 MORE SMALL FLASH FLOODS

Mullins temporary bridge is gone again. I guess the last couple of nights here have experienced pretty serious rains and the culvert bridge is no more...until they come fix it ...again...

I went to see for myself and got on site just after a young boy in a canoe had dropped off a man and his bicycle on this side of the river and headed back across to where a group of others awaited transport.

     

NEW CHURCH ?!

I gave a man a ride today here on Coastal Highway, which for those who don't know, is nothing more than an improved dirt / gravel / rock road. We spoke about the most recent little flood and the major one too. He had dog paddled / swam on a 5 gallon bucket for more than 2 hours to get past the little creek here on our road that floods, in order to get to the other side to go check on his mother. She had already lost everything in the big flood and he was concerned her so he took a very dangerous journey through murky water to go see about her safety. He definitely put his safety to the challenge in the process.

He also told me that in the big flood, he had lost 6 pigs, 9 sheep and 4 ACRES of Haberno peppers which he was growing to sell to a local company. His lost was quite large, all he had, but he was so matter of fact in saying, "I will start over." "We're all alive, that's what is important, so we thank God and I will just start over."

He asked what I was doing here and when I told him, he asked me to start a church here in this area, explaining that he thought people would come to it, especially if we offered rides as many people walk. He said it is really needed here and it would be great if I would do that. I told him that if I did I would come looking for him to help. He agreed.    hhmmmm....

LORD, Lead on!!

Ray

ANTs in the pANTry !!

It's interesting when teams leave to see what kinds of goodies they leave behind, especially on days like today, when there is no one else here at camp so I really am fending for myself! I went to raid the dining hall to see what I could find.

What I found surprised me! I noticed some movement on top of the fridge where various snacks and cereal had been left. I was not the only one to notice though. The top of the fridge seemed to come alive as I began to move things around a bit. It seems that thousands of little black ants were having a feast gorging on a not exactly closed bag of raisins!!!

I was grateful that they weren't interested in biting me as I tried to convince them to evacuate the area! 20 minutes later there were fewer and fewer little black dots still moving around the dining hall --- and I, as a good missionary, was storing the raisins away in the fridge -just in case there were more ANTs in the pANTry...

Mullins Temporary Bridge Washes Out

For those who have been here and understand the scenario a bit better - the culvert bridge that was built here at the Mullins River - washed away early this morning - after more rains in the hills. It is not surprising since the temporary bridge was only some plastic culverts with gravel piled on top - but it does mean that once again - people on the other side of the bridge are stranded.

One Week Later

whew - that flew by !

Julie and Mike flew back to Ohio Tuesday

and Carol and Carl flew back to New Jersey Wednesday

and I dragged myself back to camp today...

I guess it was good that there was no work today as this morning I seriously wrenched a muscle in my mid back while putting a suitcase in the vehicle. After dropping to the ground..ah well.. you get the idea.

I do want to say "THANK YOU!!" for all the help this last week. I know that other than Carl, none of this group has really planned on being here - but God must have known what He had in mind - and while Relief work in the community was not really needed - it is a Big Relief to me to have more of the tasks for the house close to completion!!


On another side of things - at Red Bank church this last Sunday, we were witness to 9 young people receiving Baptism certificates = and their own incredibly wonderful worship and testimonies. The 9 teens were all from San Roman village and are more evidence of this rapidly growing church!

Then Sunday night, I preached a pretty average sermon at Silk Grass, but true to my prayer and the passage from Hebrews 4 - the WORD was alive and active and a young father named Angelo came and knelt and gave his life to the Lord! He said he wanted to do as the passage said and make this right Today and not wait for tomorrow! Praise God for the power of His Word and the moving of the Spirit!

Day Three

We made some significant progress on the house – or at least it felt like it. More is getting painted, more electric is going in, Carl installed one AC unit, Carol and Julie worked on placing gravel around the house right at the foundation. They quickly found out just how warm – or ah, HOT the sun can be here in Belize.

Mike was sort of elected to make the trip into town this afternoon in order to get more supplies. A few hours later, he brought back most everything we needed, including a couple of stories. The most striking was about Phyllis. She lives in Mullins Village, which just today was able to gain access to go into town. They have gotten air drops by helicopter of food and water but this was the first day that they could cross the Mullins River by a make shift bridge just constructed by the government.

Phyllis explained to Mike that most of the wooden houses in their little village of about 15 families had actually washed away. Those wood homes on stilts survived as did the concrete block ones. To make some money she and her sons were helping to clean mud, etc, out of the homes of others in the village. She said that during the flooding, she did not know what to do. As a single mom, watching the water rise higher and higher in their home, she finally reached her wits end and told her 4 boys, you can choose what to do, if you want to leave, you can leave now, if you want to stay, you can stay. The boys stayed and all were spared any more tragic lose from the sudden flood.

We rope through their little village late in the afternoon. You can easily see how high the deadly water was as it swept through this hidden little respite in the jungle. The residents know something about survival as the village has actually been moved from the seashore due to hurricane destruction. Now they have faced and survived a different danger.

It is interesting that other than the high water marks and the personal belongings either drying in yards or being burnt because of being ruined, you might not even know that this destruction had just touched their lives. Perhaps it is just us – but there seems to be something much more simple here about picking up the pieces and moving on. Perhaps it has something to do with having less to begin with. Perhaps it has to do with that Caribbean laid back lifestyle and mindset we hear about. Maybe, just maybe, it has something to do with having a simpler sense of life, of values, and of what is really important.

Whatever it is – it makes me wonder if they know something we don’t know.

I think the spiritual formation people would say that there is something here that sounds an awful lot like “Blessed Subtraction.”

Yeah, gotta chew on that one for awhile.

Belize Day One

Day One

Whew…

We really did not know what to expect and we got exactly that today! Julie fixed a wonderful breakfast for us this morning. Carol led out in devotions – with the thought that we are relying on God’s right hand --- and before the day was up we really were relying and praying for God’s right hand to move on our behalf.

We went towards the Sittee River area, met up with missionary Tom Pound briefly and then joined up with Jim Strawser, who was ready to take us out the river to Tom’s place on the island so we could help clean up the beach area. A lot of the debris and trash that had come down the rivers, ended up on the beach near Tom and Sharon’s home.

Here’s the thing though – in order to get to the beach, we had to cross the still partially flooded land, carrying our provisions with us and constantly swatting at the hordes of hungry mosquitoes! But before that we had to make our way across the lagoon, with the motor sputtering and stopping – and thankfully, being restarted by our incredible handy fix-it-all-man Jim!

But before that we had to go through the little canal that cuts thru to the lagoon. Ah…one thing though, the little canal was clogged with debris. Lots of bamboo sticks and logs of various sizes. They had spent 6 hours the day before clearing it out and we had to redo it today- only for an hour or so…on the way in – but on the way out…

Yeah, we had to do that again, from the inside this time…and that was while the current was pushing - against us – and we were pushing, poling and struggling against the debris and the hungry, hungry mosquitoes… - while – Jim and Mike tried to restart the motor that had died on us a ways thru the canal.

Thru sheer determination we made it thru the debris and managed to get to the river. Only to sit there stranded while they continued to fix the motor. It was then that the realization came that the tools that were needed ---- we left on the little dock on the other side of the lagoon….on the other end of the canal…which was probably clogged somewhere in the middle now since we released so much stuff digging our way thru. Yeah, not an inviting situation!

But…it did invite some serious prayers. We had been told that a tropical depression was forming and from the looks of the cloud over us – we believed it. No boats came anywhere near us and we did not expect any to since it was late afternoon and it would not have been a time to fish or snorkel or really even be out there…but we were.

So, we prayed, we sang, we prayed some more. We believed, Mike and Jim kept persistently working away while we prayed and hung onto a tree branch that extended out into the river so that the current did not take us out to sea.

Are you getting the picture here?!!

Julie was thinking about ‘worse case scenarios’ – which at that moment she thought it would be, we would sleep in the boat and in the morning someone would surely pass by at some point and we could get help. I reminded her of the tropical depression and potential rainfall that we would have during the night (I did not mention that hypothermia would set in if we did indeed spend the night in the rain)

Julie became inspired that we could row…! Only thing was – no oars! So she improvised, by pulling up planks that were on the bottom of the boat and 4 of us rowed while the other 2 worked on the motor.

Are you getting the picture here?!!

I sure hope so because it had to look ridiculous, like some bad version of Survivor! Well, we had some moments of struggle as rowing with these boards was not ergonomically easy, nor was going against the current, but we were making some progress…when all of the sudden, with a mighty heave and yank on the ripcord (which had broken and was being rewound by hand) – the motor sputtered….sputtered some more…and….sort of roared to life? Nah, roared is far too strong a word, but - it was running! Thank You Jesus!

Did I hear the Hallelujah Chorus break out? No, but not long after this Julie was quite vocal in her praise to God for helping us. Carol had already been saying repeatedly, that sometimes God helps in different ways, so the poling, the digging thru the debris, the rowing, all had been God’s answer to her.

We were able to sputter our way up the river for the next few miles and coast into the little dirt spot on the bank that marked our destination. As we came in Jim shut off the motor and we drifted right into our spot. But moments later Jim informed us that he did not shut off the motor – it died right as we were pulling in !!

Once again, Thank You Jesus!

Interesting first day all in all.

On the way back, we saw a rather large Blue Crab going cross the dirt road. We had seen a few of them but this was a big boy! Julie decided she wanted it so she and I got it and she grabbed a piece of bamboo and she and the crab did battle. I only helped a little bit as we tossed him in a box and took the trophy back to camp.

Day One was a success. We also found out that many of the people here have been helped by the Belize Defense Force, who came out and power washed up to 18 inches of mud out of people’s homes. The government has brought food and even stoves to some who had their belongings washed away. So things are moving along quite nicely.

The Team Has Arrived

Altho they quickly experienced travel delays right out of Columbus, the 3 from GCCN ran like OJ thru the airport to catch their flight out of Houston and joined up with the 2 New Jersey team members.  Yes, Chuck, Julie RAN!!  (kidding!!)

Ray has the following to report: 

You can't believe how far away the Mullins River Bridge went after it broke loose!!  It looks crazy here...the water is back to near normal level but you can see how high everything was---pretty close to the mens dorm!

ooh boy---

Felize and Remigia moved into the little house - he said we could move into his old house while we finish ours...

Could be the plan...

There are NO burglar bars on yet...or even here at the camp.

They did finish the stucco on the back and began the porch but all has stopped.  Felize has to put in a box and electric meter on the house before doing anymore.  They don't have any of these things yet tho.  No doors are on site - not sure if they are even in the country yet.

We will try to see Tom and Jim today and find out what is happening with relief work.  Most of it, as you can imagine, is already underway. People have emptied their homes and repairing/replacing.  I spoke to our Spanish neighbors across the road - they are fine- was scary but their okay.

Julie and Mike are working on breakfast right now.  We had to eat dinner in Dangriga last night as there was not really anything at the camp to fix for dinner.  So we took Felize and Remigia with us and ate at a chinese place - saw a rat that kept coming into the dining room----it was NOT Ratatouille !  hat made it kind of challenging but we didn't have much choice.....

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I hope to hear from Ray and the team again tonite or tomorrow and will keep everyone posted!!   We covet your prayers for the team, the Mayan and Belizean peoples and their efforts to recover from the tropical storms.

Blessings to you all!!  Becki

Belize Bound - Relief Work Slated

Tuesday June 10 I will be joined by 4 other hearty souls who do not know what we will be getting into except for a certain expectation that help is needed.

The flash floods have left a rather intimidating mess behind. We know that we are just a small force but we pray (and ask you to also) that we will be used by the Lord to bring help and hope to those severely impacted by this tragedy.

If --- U Pray as --- WE go --- then THEY will be helped --- and GOD will be glorified.


For those wondering...Becki will stay in Ohio and continue homeschooling Rachel for now. We hope to get a chance later in the week to work on the house in Belize and finish enough to make it liveable. That will have to come later though - yet it remains important to getting us established in Belize.

Thank you to all who have been praying -

Ray & Becki

RECONSTRUCTION WORKS BEGIN ON HUMMINGBIRD AND SOUTHERN HIGHWAYS

June 03, 2008

The devastating floods associated with Tropical Depression Arthur caused major damage in southern Belize. While homes and lives have been lost, major parts of the Hummingbird and Southern Highway were also destroyed by the strong current and water that washed through the areas. For most of yesterday both highways were impassable. Today we contacted Cadet Henderson, CEO in the Ministry of works who updated us on the reconstruction works being carried out on the highways.

Cadet Henderson: CEO in the Ministry of Works

“Last night we had completed restoration of two culvert at mile 16 and 23 on the hummingbird sufficiently to allow traffic to past but early this morning the one at mile 23 was washed out again but it was reinstated at 10 30 this morning. Also we noted that there were some land slides occurring on the Hummingbird Highway. Clean up is in process this does not obstructing traffic but it does pose a risk so with this kind of occurrence continuing in the area. We want to advise motorist if they don’t absolutely need to travel along the Hummingbird Highway to avoid traveling in the area. Mullins River Bridge continues to be down that collapse on the Manatee Road, Kendal Bridge as well is down that collapsed yesterday as well. Mile 4 on the Stann Creek Valley Road Sarawee Village area as we speak is flooded with three feet of water. We had last report from one of our engineers on the site and it was rising. Mile 8 to 9 on the Stann Creek Valley Road also the flooding has been rising in that area but it is not raining much in the vicinity today so we believe it should go back down shortly.”

And while the Hummingbird Highway is passable at this time, the southern part of the country is completely cut off from the rest of the country. That is because the Kendal Bridge was completely washed away by the flood. Henderson told Love News that nothing can be done about this for another week or until the water goes down.

Cadet Henderson: CEO in the Ministry of Works

“Until the water recede there is nothing we can do. We have no emergency bridge that could span that gap is almost 300 feet. But I would say within a week will have some temporary access created that will allow motorist to pass but for now it is just impassable and some boating activity will take place in terms of shuttling people across the river but an access that will allow vehicular crossing cannot be in place for another week.”

Henderson says work will continue to try and rectify the problem with the Kendal Bridge. As was mentioned on our morning show today, informal discussions is on the way with Guatemalan counterparts in relation to temporary bridge as replacing this bridge is high priority.

Deadly floods in Belize after tropical storms

updated 2:00 p.m. ET, Tues., June. 3, 2008

BELIZE CITY - Flash flooding in Belize killed at least four people and left two others missing, witnesses said, due to tropical storms that also killed at least three people in other Central American nations and drove thousands from their homes.
The weekend storms took most of Belize's 300,000 residents by surprise.

Early Monday, flash flood waters swept away a home in southern Belize's Stann Creek Valley, killing a man, his wife and their 14-year-old daughter, according to relatives. The couple's 12-year-old son is missing and presumed dead.

"That flood just came right now, sudden one, and when I look I saw my nephew's house over there and I told him to get out," Bedford Ritchie told Channel 7. "It looks like he was trying to pack up his things and the water didn't give him any break. The water just come right up and picked up their house and took it down there and mashed it up."

Wellington McKenzie told Channel 7 that a friend died trying to help him rescue others in their neighborhood.

"He couldn't stand up no more and he went underneath my house and there he drowned," McKenzie said. "They found him about two or three hours after."

Officials were also searching for a young boy who was pulled from his father's arms by floodwaters as the two tried to reach the safety of a mango tree.

"I went underneath the water and I bit my little boy in his hand, just to hold him, and by the time I came up back, he was gone," the boy's father, Philberto Roches, told Channel 7. "So I turned around and tried to find him and never did find him again."

The death toll had yet to be confirmed by authorities.

The rising waters also left dozens stranded on the roofs of their homes, washed out a key bridge to the southern section of the country and damaged highways.

Papaya plantations, shrimp farms and the country's three-month supply of rice were also wiped out.

Good News in the Midst of Crisis

This small report just came in from our friend in Belize:

Hired someone with a boat to check on the island and take food to the caretakers. Everything is fine there.

"Still there is so much devastation but Christians and non-Christians are working side by side helping each other out."


That ---- is a beautiful thing!

Ray

Sad News

This just in from Karen Strawser...her husband Jim has just recently gotten to Belize, has been working on our house a bit and other things as well.

PRAY !! ----- I SO wish I was down there to help!!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Ray - thanks for the forward re: storm in Belize. The phone Jim has been using isn't working and he has been trying to use his cell from back here. He's called about 8 times but the contact only lasts thru a couple of sentences.

It is really bad - Sittee River has bee wiped out for the most part. Both boats are under water and the new mini excavator has damage. Tom and Sharon's house is ok but the worker's house next door flooded ruining the mattresses etc. Jim was not able to even get out with the van until about 2 hours ago.

A major fairly new high bridge has been washed away and there is no way to get to Punta Gorda or Toledo District. He saw a horse swimming by his house this am. He woke up to the roar of water. There are mudslides.

The electric is out and no one knows for how long, of course. He was able to go to Dangrigia to get some food that doesn't require refrigeration.

Tom and Sharon are in Cancun vacationing with family. Jim says there is no need to tell them as their home is ok and there is nothing they can do from there. They are due back this Thursday. I think that is about everything.

I know it is challenging times for Jim but he's safe and that's the main thing.
Karen

RED CROSS SEEKS ASSISTANCE FOR FLOOD VICTIMS

Another article taken from Belize News ---

(Now I wish I was there to find out who among those we know have been affected. Plus, these times are opportunities to minister. ~ Ray)


June 02, 2008

As the National Emergency Management Organization assesses the damage brought by Tropical Storm Arthur across the country, the Belize Red Cross is asking the public’s assistance in helping the victims of the flooding. Director of the Belize Red Cross, Lily Bowman told us that they are in much need of dry clothing.

Lily Bowman, Director General, Belize Red Cross

“The Red Cross both in Stann Creek and in Orange Walk are preparing hot meals to be distributed to the people in the shelters. They are also getting basic food items like beans, rice flour and these will be given out in packages to be given to those who are displaced but are with families. There is a big request from down south as well as in Orange Walk for clothing. Of course with flood people do not have much things dry and so we are asking the public to please donate and we will be here for 24 hours at the Red Cross Headquarters and we are also asking that in the interest of time to sort them out and not just bring it here so that we can get it out to the people who need it. There is a big need for children’s clothing and pampers and yes can food is always very necessary. We are not giving these items to the people in the shelter because obviously they do not have anywhere to cook it, but we are doing the cooking and we are giving to them in the shelters.

” Bowman also said that besides the clothing and food items, the Belize Red Cross is calling on its volunteers to report in order to help with the relief efforts.

Lily Bowman, Director General, Belize Red Cross

“Yes we are always asking for volunteers and we are asking them to report to the centers. We are also getting ready to distribute blankets down in the South area; in Sittee River, Monkey River, Hope Creek. We are looking to deliver blankets as well and we are constantly doing assessments in the shelters as well as the areas and we are coordinating with NEMO as well.”
Bowman said that they are liaising with the UNICEF office in the country as well as with the Red Cross International Federation who have told them they are now on standby to send relief to Belize.

Storm Flooding in Belize

This news story from the area where we will be living in Belize.
Please pray as this may be an all too often occurence.
Ray & Becki

FLOOD VICTIMS RESCUED AND EVACUATED IN THE STANN CREEK DISTRICT
June 02, 2008

Early morning flash floods in the area of Hope Creek in the Stann Creek district have caused several families to evacuate to higher ground. A resident of Pomona, Cecil Baide called us this morning and told us that villagers of Pomona were helping to rescue victims of the flash flood. Baide said one child lost his life as his father was trying to take him to higher ground.

Cecil Baide, rescued flooding victims

“For sure I took the father of a little boy and the little boy is between two and three years old. That little boy, his father could not hold on to him anymore and something just knocked him and he lost his child. Up to right now we cannot locate the child as the water is still high, but that child lost his life noh. This is the Hope Creek area in Stann Creek District. That water had, I believe, about fifteen feet high of water and that cover the main highway that leads to Dangriga. The dad and the child were trying to come out of the water because the house was in water. The houses in the area we call the Old Melinda Station the houses are just about two feet off the ground and the water almost covered those houses. They were trying to come out to come on top or trying to get rescued because this was early in the morning and the river is like five hundred feet from where the houses are.”

Baide says that he along with relatives and other villagers were evacuating people as of three o’clock this morning. According to Baide in total they evacuated over a hundred residents of the area.

Cecil Baide, rescued flooding victims

“We came out like three of clock in the morning along with my brother in law and my cousin and we came out with boats with outboard engine and we rescued the people where the boat could not go, we did it with canoes. What we did is take the mother and the children to the places we thought were higher ground and the fathers stayed behind because they said they can battle it by swimming and then when day light came we tried taking them to higher places because there are some parts of Hope Creek that are higher and there the people got some dry clothes and something to eat. The situation right now is that the water is going down since the water is like eight inches to a foot over the road so bigger vehicles could pass and the water is going down. People are right now trying to get something to eat because it’s a lot of people.”