Flooding

         Throughout the months of July and August, we have had an unusual amount of rain, which is good, but it means that the dams that control the Río Nazas were in danger of overflowing. This happens every few years, and so the dams were opened and the water began to make its way from Durango to Coahuila. Since the original riverbed has been built on and isn't available to receive the water, it has to be diverted. This causes a lot of problems for the small villages and towns that find themselves in the way of the oncoming water which, even though it's coming from several hundred kilometers away, arrives strongly and rises quickly. Since last last week the towns around San Pedro have been working constantly to dig out new riverbeds, fill sandbags and build barriers in order to keep the water away from homes and other buildings. On Sunday we cut short the morning church service in order to go and take food to the workers, who had been working through the night. We ended up staying for almost 6 hours, distributing food and helping fill and place sandbags along the riverbanks. Smaller groups from TCL went back on Monday and Tuesday to do more of the same. The amount of water being released has been reduced, so the immediate danger is lessened, but we are still on alert. Here are some pictures from Sunday.

Arriving at one of several work sites.

The river arriving on the other side of the barrier.

We distributed food and water to workers who had been there all night.

Filling sandbags.

The river crossing under the highway that goes to Saltillo.

Water coming from the other side of the barrier to the highway.

The river on the other side of the highway.

Taking a break after running out of bags to fill...

The river running quickly along the highway.

Red Cross workers from San Pedro helping with the work.