Deadly Louisiana Flood Damages Thousands of Homes

The Wired Word for the Week of August 21, 2016

In the News

Louisiana has been hit by a deluge, with six to 10 inches of rain falling on the southeast portion of the state on Friday, August 12, alone. Several more inches of rain fell the next day, and some areas received a total of 26 inches. By Wednesday, at least 11 people were dead and 40,000 homes had been damaged by the historic flood.

Fortunately, lives were saved through a number of heroic rescues. In one, a woman and her dog were pulled from their sinking car in Baton Rouge. A team of men in a boat came upon them and began to work as the woman shouted, "Oh my God, I'm drowning."

One of the men, identified by the New York Daily News as David Phung, jumped into the flood water and pulled the woman out from the car's sunroof as the vehicle sank beneath the waves.

Once above the water, the woman begged Phung to find her dog, which was trapped in the car. Phung plunged into the muddy water and came up holding her pet. "I got the dog," he shouted, "I got the dog." All survived and were able to escape the water to safety.

In addition, the National Guard and U.S. Coast Guard performed numerous rescues, using boats and helicopters to bring the stranded to safety. Last Sunday, President Barack Obama signed a disaster declaration for the state, making federal aid available to support recovery efforts.

Tragically, not everyone escaped the waters. According to ABC News, one elderly man drowned after slipping and falling into the flood waters of East Baton Rouge Parish. Another man died after his pickup truck was swept off of a submerged highway in St. Helena Parish.

Last weekend, Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards said that officials "won't know the death toll for sure for several more days." He reported that more than 20,000 people had been rescued from the waters and over 12,000 remained in shelters as of Sunday night. Edwards became an evacuee himself when several feet of water filled the basement of the Governor's Mansion and killed the electricity. The governor and his family had to seek shelter elsewhere.

When the deluge began, at least six rivers hit record levels in Louisiana. One of them, the Amite River, surpassed its previous record by over six feet. Statewide flood warnings extended through Tuesday and Wednesday, while warnings in the parishes of East Baton Rouge, Livingston and Ascension remained in place until Thursday.

Around the state, residents with high-water vehicles drove through the flooded streets to help with rescue efforts, assisting people to get to higher ground. U.S. Coast Guard crews rescued more than 50 people from rooftops, automobiles and trailers. Two residents were brought by helicopter to a church that had become a shelter, and they told The Associated Press that there were between 250 and 300 people staying there on Sunday. Said one of the residents, "Everybody is just tired and nervous and wanting to see what kind of damage they have to their homes."

When a New Orleans native named Damien Callais heard about the people of Baton Rouge being trapped by flood waters, he drove to the region and began mobilizing volunteers. He collected a group that he called the "Cajun Navy," made up of fishermen with boats, locals who knew back roads and an assortment of residents who simply wanted to help their neighbors. "It's insane," he told The Washington Post, as he got ready to jump on a boat. "It's crazy how many people are willing to drive from anywhere to help." Callais and his volunteer navy pulled newborns, the elderly and even a woman recovering from surgery out of the water. They rescued people stuck on roofs and some who were swimming with their dogs, trying to stay alive as the waters rose.

More on this story can be found at these links:

'I'm Going Home to See If I Have a Home': Louisiana Flooding Leaves 11 Dead, Forces Thousands From Their Homes. The Washington PostMan Saves Woman and Dog from Sinking Car in Dramatic Rescue in Baton Rouge Flood.PeopleLouisiana Flooding Far From Over Despite Expected Respite From Rain. NBC News'The Worst Situation I've Ever Been Through.' Six Killed, Thousands Displaced During Historic Louisiana Flooding. The Washington Post

The Big Questions

1. What are the features of a flood that make it so terrifying? If you have ever been a victim of a flood, what was your experience like?

2. Floods come in many forms, not just water -- for example, financial crises or a child's illness. Think of a time you were overwhelmed. What resources of the Christian faith helped you to survive and recover?

3. What impresses you about the people of Louisiana who helped their neighbors during the flood? How can the church be a kind of "Cajun Navy"?

4. Every generation talks about "the end of times." If you were swept up in the flood in Louisiana, would you think of it as the end of times, or perhaps the end of your time? As a Christian, how prepared are you for "the end of times" or your earthly end?

5. What natural and man-made disasters have occurred in your lifetime? Which have had meaning to your Christian faith? In what ways?

Confronting the News With Scripture and HopeHere are some Bible verses to guide your discussion:

Genesis 7:4[The LORD said to Noah,] "For in seven days I will send rain on the earth for forty days and forty nights; and every living thing that I have made I will blot out from the face of the ground." (For context, read 7:1-24.)

God sees the wickedness of humankind and decides to wipe out all human life except for Noah and his family, because Noah is "a righteous man" (6:9). God instructs Noah to build an ark and fill it with animals and members of his family, and then God sends a great flood which destroys all life outside the ark. After the flood waters subside, God promises "never again shall there be a flood to destroy the earth" (9:11).

Questions: Why does God use water to destroy all life outside the ark? What do you think is the reason God promised never again to "destroy the earth" through a great flood? What can the church do to be an "ark" for people in dangerous and turbulent times?

Psalm 46:1-3God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, through the earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea; though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble with its tumult. (For context, read 46:1-11).

Psalm 46 inspired Martin Luther's hymn "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God," and remains a comfort to Christians today who are facing adversity that feels like an overwhelming flood. In the face of illness, death and disaster, the promise remains: "The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge" (v. 7).

Questions: Where do you see the earth changing and the waters roaring today? How do you experience God as a refuge and strength? What difference does it make to you that God is present in the chaos of the flood?

Mark 13:7-8When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed; this must take place, but the end is still to come. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be earthquakes in various places; there will be famines. This is but the beginning of the birth pangs. (For context, read 13:1-8.)

After his triumphant entry into Jerusalem, Jesus speaks of the impending destruction of the temple. His disciples ask him about the timing of this event, and request a sign. Jesus warns them about false messiahs and tells them that there will be wars, earthquakes, and famines before the end of time and his return.

Questions: Why are Christians so quick to see a natural disaster and assume that the end of time is here? What attitude should we have toward such events? How should Christians behave in the face of natural disasters?

Romans 12:12-13Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers. (For context, read 12:9-21.)

The apostle Paul lists the marks of a true Christian, ranging from genuine love (v. 9) to overcoming evil with good (v. 21). He stresses the need to practice Christian virtues in the face of all kinds of suffering, persecution and sadness.

Questions: How do you reconcile patience in suffering with the challenge of taking action to reduce suffering? What does it mean to extend hospitality to strangers in a natural disaster? How can the church "contribute to the needs of the saints" after a flood?

2 Corinthians 5:1For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. (For context, read 4:16--5:5.)

Paul challenges us to live by faith, even when our body -- which he calls an "earthly tent" -- wastes away and is destroyed. He promises a heavenly dwelling which will give us shelter and security forever, and assures us that "what can be seen is temporary, but what cannot be seen is eternal" (4:18).

Questions: Where do you find hope in the promise of "a building from God," especially when man-made dwellings are destroyed by floods? What does it mean to you to live by faith and keep your eyes on what is eternal?

For Further Discussion

1. The hymn "My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less" challenges us to stand on Jesus Christ, the solid rock. One verse says, "His oath, his covenant, his blood support me in the whelming flood." What does this mean to you? How have you felt Christ's support at such times?

2. What does it take to rebuild after a flood? Compare with Nehemiah 2 and the decision to rebuild Jerusalem. Why should Christians be involved in such work? How can we make a contribution?

3. If the church is going to act as an ark, what features does it need? Recall that Noah had to build the ark according to certain specifications. What can you do to make the church a true lifesaver?

4. Some Cajun Navy people have complained that local and state governments are hindering their efforts, blocking boat launching sites and at times even requiring that they have a law enforcement officer on each rescue boat. Sometimes our efforts to help others are blocked by forces beyond our control, forces which may even be well-meaning, if counterproductive. When you encounter obstacles to doing good, how do you respond? Describe situations in which you have faced similar problems.

5. How have you grown as a Christian through the storms you have faced? Have these storms made you more compassionate, generous, understanding or helpful? Name one benefit you have received from facing an overwhelming, flood-like experience.

Responding to the News

Look for ways to support the rebuilding of areas damaged by this historic Louisiana flood. Or try to help someone closer to home who is facing what feels like an overwhelming flood in their own life.

Closing Prayer

Almighty God, we thank you for being our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Give your people in Louisiana the faith, strength and resources they need to recover from flood water. And help us to be caring and generous toward anyone who is in danger of being overcome by loss, pain or suffering. In Jesus' name. Amen.