Dear friends,
As you likely know, the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office, in consultation with the National Weather Service and other public safety officials, has issued a Mandatory Evacuation Order effective tomorrow (Tuesday) at Noon for individuals in all risk levels. This means that those in Extreme Risk and High Risk areas – red, yellow and grey areas on the Debris Flow Risk Map – near the Thomas, Sherpa and Whittier burn areas must be out of the evacuation areas by Noon Tuesday.
As a result of this Mandatory Evacuation Order, All Saints-by-the-Sea will be closing the office, Parish School, and all operations beginning at Noon tomorrow, Tuesday, March 20, 2018. At this time, we expect to be closed through Thursday, March 22, 2018. All on campus meetings, activities, and services are suspended during this time. We will notify the church community if changes occur as this storm system develops.
I know that those of us required to evacuate are experiencing extreme evacuation fatigue. Nonetheless, our cooperation with county officials charged with keeping our community safe is of the utmost importance. If you need assistance evacuating, please contact the church office (805-969-4771) and we can arrange assistance for you. To determine if you are in the evacuation area, consult the evacuation boundaries map by
clicking here or call 2-1-1. The Red Cross will open an evacuation center at Earl Warren Showgrounds, Warren Hall, 3400 Calle Real, Santa Barbara, at Noon on Tuesday (March 20). Anyone evacuated or otherwise affected by the approaching storm is welcome to find relief and comfort at this location.
If you are able to assist someone with evacuations, please let us know as well.
According to the most recent press release, “there is potential for rainfall intensity of between .5 to .75 inches per hour, which could trigger debris flows at any time during the storm. In addition, the storm is expected to bring between 5 and 10 inches of rain in the foothills and mountains, significantly more total rainfall than the 1/9 Debris Flow, which brought between 3 and 6 inches to the region.” Rob Lewin, director of the Santa Barbara County Office of Emergency Management, reported that the amount of rain and the intensity is enough to cause flooding even without the impact of the recent fires. “We could experience localized flooding and road closures which are not isolated to the burn areas. The threat of rock falls, mud slides and debris flow is high,” he noted. You can read more in the attached press release.
Please make your safety, and the well-being of our larger community, your first priority and plan to evacuate if you are in an area of Extreme or High Risk. In addition to keeping yourself safe, your cooperation with this Mandatory Evacuation Order helps to ensure the well-being of our already stressed first responders.
And because we know that our help comes from the Lord, Creator of heaven and earth, I offer you some prayers to comfort and sustain you in these times.
Prayer for Preparedness and Response
O God, our times are in your hand. In the midst of uncertainty lead us by your never-failing grace as we seek to be agents of healing and hope. Walk with us through difficult times; watch over us in danger; and give to us a spirit of love and compassion for those who suffer and mourn. And finally remind us that you have promised never to leave us so that even in the valley of the shadow of death your love may be felt, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For protection through the night
Be present, O merciful God, and protect us through the hours of this night, so that we who are wearied by the changes and chances of this life may rest in your eternal changelessness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Psalm 121
1 I lift up my eyes to the hills; *
from where is my help to come?
2 My help comes from the Lord, *
the maker of heaven and earth.
3 He will not suffer your foot to stumble; *
he who watches over you will not sleep.
4 Behold, he who keeps watch over Israel *
shall neither slumber nor sleep.
5 The Lord himself watches over you; *
the Lord is your shade at your right hand,
6 So that the sun shall not strike you by day, *
neither the moon by night.
7 The Lord shall keep you from all evil; *
it is he who shall keep your soul.
8 The Lord shall keep watch over your going out
and your coming in, *
from this time forth for evermore.
Know that each one of you remains in my prayers.
