Further updates - May 28, 2015 8:00 a.m. Central time - We have now heard from 25 of our parishes in Louisiana, Oklahoma and Texas:
Fr. Mark Telschow of Holy Cross Orthodox Church, Midland, TX reports, "By God's grace and your prayers, our people and temple are fine. Lots of wind and hail but less rain than others. No flooding or damage to the temple or members homes. Thanks be to God."
Fr. Robert Weber of Our Lady of Walsingham in Mesquite, TX writes: "Thank you so much for your concern and prayers. Some, in the parish, have sustained minor wind damage but all are safe. Thanks be to God."
Further updates - May 27, 2015 12:00 p.m. Central time:
Fr. George Eber of St. Anthony Church in Tulsa, OK, Fr. Michael Pavez of St. Michael Church in Beaumont, TX and St. John the Divine Church in Lake Charles, LA, and Fr. Jeremy Davis of St. Elijah Church in Oklahoma City, OK all report that their homes, those of their faithful and their church temples are all undamaged by the storms.
Further updates - May 27, 2015 9:00 a.m. Central time:
Fr. Gregory Gibson of St. Silouan the Athonite Church in College Station, TX: "Your Grace: Bless, master! Thanks very much for checking on us. There is plenty of water to go around, and streams and lakes are very full. But so far, I am not aware of any significant flood damage in the immediate vicinity of College Station. There were also tornado warnings, but the local media didn't report any damage here either. Your son in Christ, Priest Gregory"
Fr. Mark Wallace of St. James the Son of Alphaeus Church in Stillwater, OK: "Master, bless! Your Grace, our new temple of St. James has suffered NO damage from any high winds and rain. However, the giant post holes (dug in preparation for the construction of the front entrance) are filled to the brim with water. The ground is so saturated that we are being held up in getting that entrance built. We are moving out of our storefront after the Divine Liturgy this Sunday. We NEED that entrance built in order to get our Certificate of Occupancy so we can have our first Liturgy on June 7th. By your prayers, the unworthy Priest Mark."
Fr. John Mefrige of St. Ephraim the Syrian Church in San Antonio, TX: "All fine in San Antonio; some flooding of roads but all well in the Alamo city."
Further updates - May 26, 2015 9:30 p.m. Central time:
Fr. Justin McFeeters of Holy Ascension Church in Norman, OK: "Your Grace, although there have been severe storms, tornados and flooding, all in Holy Ascension Church are safe. Our temple has sustained only minor damage. We are bracing for further bad weather; at this point construction of an ark is behind schedule. By your prayers, Father Justin"
Fr. James Rooney of St. Benedict Church in Wichita Falls, TX: "Your Grace, we in Wichita Falls are well, thank God. There has been no flooding of parishioners homes, and the Church Temple, being on high ground, is safe. We are thankful. We DID have a close call. We have had some flooding in the city, and, after two weeks of heavy rains, the National Weather Service had predicted that we would be hit with 3-7 inches of rain Saturday night. With our lakes and rivers already full, the danger of flood was significant. They were speaking of a 500-year flood, which would have affected my home, as well as that of Deacon Joseph and several parishioners. People were evacuated, and we were awaiting the notice for us to evacuate. As the evening passed, however, the storms dissipated or passed us by. Since then, the rains have let up enough to let the rivers go down, thus lessening the likelihood of flooding. The GOOD side of all this is that our reservoirs, which were down to 20% capacity before these rains, are now up to 100%, which is a miracle. Father James"
Fr. Mark McNary of St. Peter Church in Fort Worth, TX: "Your Grace: Master, bless! Thank you for your concern. So far we are doing well here in Fort Worth and at St. Peter Orthodox Church. I look forward to seeing you at the PLC shortly. An unworthy priest, Father Mark"
Fr. John Ballard of St. Andrew Mission in Woodway (Waco), TX: "Master, bless! Yes! Thanks for checking. All parishioners and their homes are accounted for to my knowledge. No damage to St. Andrew building. By your prayers, Priest John"
Fr. Philip LeMasters of St. Luke Church in Abilene, TX: "Master, bless! Thanks to Your Grace for your concern. By your prayers, we are fine at St. Luke and none have suffered any storm damage. In humble obedience, Father Philip"
Fr. Daniel Bethancourt of St. Nicholas Church in Shreveport, LA: "Dear Sayyidna: Your blessing. Thank you for checking. We were concerned last night because there was to have been a tornado passing through Shreveport. As far as I know it never touched down, and the city was relatively unscathed. Our building and the homes of our parishioners are all okay, as far as I've heard from everyone. We are remembering those who did suffer damage and loss of life elsewhere in our prayers. Kissing your hand, Father Daniel"
Further updates - May 26, 2015 2:00 p.m. Central time:
Fr. David Barr of St. Elias Church in Austin, TX, the dean of Central Texas: "Master, bless! I wanted to give you a short update on the flooding in Central Texas. In the south part of Austin, 300 homes were destroyed and over 1,000 damaged by storms this weekend. Several of our parishioners have had water damage to their homes, but so far, nothing substantial yet. I do know that Fr. Peter and Collette Smith have flooding in their home (soaked carpets). I haven't been to the church since Sunday, so I don't know if the rain yesterday did any damage there. I will be there later today and check. There was some flooding on the other side of downtown. Hopefully we didn't sustain any at the church. I haven't heard about damage from any other of our parishes in Central Texas. If I do, I will let you know. Your son in Christ, Father David"
Fr. Methodius Ingalls of St. Thomas Church in Fredericksburg, TX: "Your Grace: We are fine in Fredericksburg. No damage to church or homes. I've checked in with my parishioners and everyone is ok. Highway bridges have destroyed, especially around Blanco, and some people will have a longer drive to get here. In Christ, Father Methodios"
Fr. Aidan Wilconxson of St. John the Forerunner Church in Cedar Park, TX: "Master, bless! Thank you for checking. Some damage to homes of parishioners and some water in the buildings at the parish, but, otherwise, we are all fine. Thank you, as well, for your prayers. An unworthy priest, aidan"
Fr. Peter Smith of St. Sophia Church in Dripping Springs, TX: "Your Grace: Bless, master. Many years. Just an update on the storm and how it has impacted St. Sophia. I haven't been back to the Church since Sunday, but will get up there as soon as I can to check on the facility. My suspicion is that if we sustained any damage it might be in the parish hall. My parishioners are doing well. I contacted most of them by phone yesterday and, except for some flooding at Arjen and Peggy Foreman's place (in an apartment down below their garage) everyone seems to be fine. Our home did not fare so well. Around 5:00 p.m. yesterday water started flooding the living room, dining room and kitchen. We moved furniture around pretty quickly, so other than the carpet and pad, there really isn't much damage to report. My family sends their love to you. I will let you know if I find any damage at the Church. Thank you for your prayers. Your Son in Christ, Father Peter"
Fr. Finbar Thibodeaux of Christ the Saviour Church in Jacksonville, TX: "Your Grace: Master, bless! Jacksonville experienced heavy rains, high winds and a tornado last evening. The church suffered roof damage with some interior damage from leaking water from the roof. The interior damage seems to be minor, however the roof will need repairs. All the faithful are well and no damage or injuries reported. Reader Donald did have a tree fall on his house, but no significant damage occurred. Thanks be to God for no injuries and the damage is repairable. Your prayers, Father Barry"
May 26, 2015 a.m.: Update on the flooding in metro Houston from Fr. Joseph Huneycutt, dean of East Texas:
A ton of rain in Houston area / flooding, but all clergy/homes are okay. No one has been able to get to St. George yet; Forty Holy Martyrs and St. Anthony are fine ... St. Joseph has water in the hall offices and restrooms (temple seems okay - according to the secretary; I'm not able to get in yet); St. Paul has ceiling tile damage over several areas where the roof has leaked.
Glory to God for all things! Your prayers. Father Joseph
