Below are some of the pictures from the damage. It is difficult seeing it up close and personal. We were very fortunate to have hundreds of people help evacuate most all of our equipment and resources.
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Iowa River Flood Update 8
Today I had an extremely unique opportunity to get a look at the flood damage up close and personal. An individual in the church called with an offer for Pastor Jeff and I to join him in investigating the scene. As we were boarding a cameraman with CNN joined us. We are told his footage will be on CNN tonight at 10:00.
Below are some of the pictures from the damage. It is difficult seeing it up close and personal. We were very fortunate to have hundreds of people help evacuate most all of our equipment and resources.
Below are some of the pictures from the damage. It is difficult seeing it up close and personal. We were very fortunate to have hundreds of people help evacuate most all of our equipment and resources.
Friday, June 13, 2008
Iowa River Flood Update 7
I want to start by thanking all of you for the kind comments, phone calls and emails. Your prayers have been an encouragement to everyone at the church. Many are still mourning the loss of a facility which hosted countless memories of weddings, funerals, services, and ministry events. Despite the loss, there is a sense of God’s love and purpose that will drive us forward. At the conclusion of this post I have included some pictures that were taken today, but before sharing those I wanted to update you with some important information.
Church offices have now been moved to the Towncrest area in southeast Iowa City. Our phones are operational with the original Parkview number 354-5580. Our church email is not yet working, so please be patient if you have been trying to email us. It will hopefully be back online on by Monday. Please note that for various reasons, numerous staff members are working from home, so don't be surprised if you can't reach all of the Pastor's with the church phone number.
In regard to services, we will be at West High School’s auditorium at 9:00 and 10:30 am. Parking will be accessed through the east drive entrance. There is a chance we will run out of parking spots, which will require some to park in the large lot behind the school that is also being shared by National Guard vehicles forced to find new homes due to the flooding. Because of the parking situation, carpooling is recommended. I look forward to seeing many of you on Sunday!
Our new sign at the corner of Foster and Dubuque.
This view from the corner of Foster and Dubuque shows the soccer goals now almost completely immersed by the river.
This is our main north entrance.
Our estimation is that approximately three feet of water is now standing throughout the church facility.
Church offices have now been moved to the Towncrest area in southeast Iowa City. Our phones are operational with the original Parkview number 354-5580. Our church email is not yet working, so please be patient if you have been trying to email us. It will hopefully be back online on by Monday. Please note that for various reasons, numerous staff members are working from home, so don't be surprised if you can't reach all of the Pastor's with the church phone number.
In regard to services, we will be at West High School’s auditorium at 9:00 and 10:30 am. Parking will be accessed through the east drive entrance. There is a chance we will run out of parking spots, which will require some to park in the large lot behind the school that is also being shared by National Guard vehicles forced to find new homes due to the flooding. Because of the parking situation, carpooling is recommended. I look forward to seeing many of you on Sunday!
Our new sign at the corner of Foster and Dubuque.
This view from the corner of Foster and Dubuque shows the soccer goals now almost completely immersed by the river.
This is our main north entrance.
Our estimation is that approximately three feet of water is now standing throughout the church facility.
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Iowa River Flood Update 6: Evacuation
The Lord gives and the Lord takes away. Today at 3:30 pm, in the midst of continued fervent efforts, city officials informed us that last nights heavy rains will result in the Iowa River cresting on Tuesday at 35 feet. This will put river water close to roof level. Hearing the news was difficult. All hopes on saving our facility were lost and emergency evacuation began immediately.
It is difficult to loose a facility that was laced with so many meaningful memories over the last 9 years, but in many ways the loss generates a deeper appreciation for those things that matter most, namely our faith in the sovereign hand of God and our appreciation for the body of Christ. Fond memories of working side by side with my brothers and sisters in Christ over these last three days have been very rich. New friendships have been formed and a greater appreciation for the value of community has been cultivated.
This photo shows how high the waters had grown throughout the night.
The south side of our facility.
Our massive pumping station.
A boat parked in the handicapped parking stalls with diesel intended to refuel the emergency generator.
This photo captures how sandbaggers were bagging right next to the flood waters. Our parking lot was closed from parking in order to keep baggers working throughout the morning.
The view from the main entrance of our facility.
This meaningful piece of artwork was removed as part of the evacuation effort.
The atrium emptied of most fixtures and technology.
Our Boston grand piano was removed via fork lift over the flood waters.
A little after 9:00 pm, Jim Douglass (our administrator) and I shut down the water, turned off the master electric panel and walked out the northwest office door into ankle deep water. One chapter ends and a new one begins.
It is difficult to loose a facility that was laced with so many meaningful memories over the last 9 years, but in many ways the loss generates a deeper appreciation for those things that matter most, namely our faith in the sovereign hand of God and our appreciation for the body of Christ. Fond memories of working side by side with my brothers and sisters in Christ over these last three days have been very rich. New friendships have been formed and a greater appreciation for the value of community has been cultivated.
This photo shows how high the waters had grown throughout the night.
The south side of our facility.
Our massive pumping station.
A boat parked in the handicapped parking stalls with diesel intended to refuel the emergency generator.
This photo captures how sandbaggers were bagging right next to the flood waters. Our parking lot was closed from parking in order to keep baggers working throughout the morning.
The view from the main entrance of our facility.
This meaningful piece of artwork was removed as part of the evacuation effort.
The atrium emptied of most fixtures and technology.
Our Boston grand piano was removed via fork lift over the flood waters.
A little after 9:00 pm, Jim Douglass (our administrator) and I shut down the water, turned off the master electric panel and walked out the northwest office door into ankle deep water. One chapter ends and a new one begins.
Water Flow Illustration
A local engineer, attempting to illustrate the massive water flow-rate presently moving in the Iowa River, explained that if Kinnick Stadium (pictured below) were totally enclosed and filled with the water presently moving in the river, its entire volume would be filled in only 15 seconds. Now that's a lot of water!
Here is our present river flow outlook.
Here is our present river flow outlook.
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