I have been in contact with the ELCA synod offices and social agencies through which the Mississippi runs. As was true last week, the people hold guarded optimism as they sandbag and prepare for floods. Some city streets, county roads, and state highways are closed because of flooding. The Mississippi River, which topped 19 feet Thursday, should crest at 22 to 22.5 feet Tuesday over the next five days or so. Levies, earth dikes, and sandbags have contained the river waters so far.
Local volunteers continue to fill and place sandbags in all states.
The river has flooded the basements of many riverside houses and businesses. Generally throughout the region there are preparations for worst-case scenarios and high hopes for the best. Once again we watch and wait with our sisters and brothers in the upper Midwest. Dear friends, Thank you for your inquiries and prayers over the past week as the floodwaters were rising in the Red River Valley. As I said early on to some of you, I couldn't imagine that this would be anything like 1997.