My article is based on what we have been experiencing here with the threat of a flood.  However, the information would apply equally well to whatever “Natural Disaster” threat you could be facing: Earthquakes, Tornados, Hurricanes, Tsunamis, Fires, etc.

The months of May and June have been pretty stressful for everyone living along the Fraser River of British Columbia, Canada. The snow pack is 70% higher than normal and the Fraser River has not been dredged for many years, so the sand build-up has made the river very shallow.

We were told that it was not a matter of IF we were going to have a flood, but WHEN!

This would be especially bad for our community of Mission because all four roads that access our town are low and would be under water if there was a flood. This means that we would be isolated.

Also, hundreds of homes, farms and businesses have been built on the flood plain. So the people living and working there are in danger of losing their homes and their livelihood.

To make matters more frightening, floods are considered an act of God, which means that insurance would not pay for flood damage.

We have a couple of freinds who live in a trailer park in Ruskin, a small community a couple of miles from Mission. Ruskin is situated below the Ruskin dam and along the small river that runs into the Fraser from the dam.

Over three weeks ago, a police officer and Fire and Rescue official came to their door, telling them that they were being put on alert. They were told to pack an emergency bag and wait for the call to evacuate. My friend has sat at the kitchen window ever since, looking out at the river.

WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOU ARE IN A SITUATION WERE YOU HAVE NO CONTROL OVER WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN?

Because I have been blessed to live in such a sheltered environment, I have not experienced anything like this in my lifetime.

However, in 1948 the Fraser River did flood the Fraser Valley. My father owned a flower shop in Mission at that time. He went out of business because no one had money to buy flowers after the flood.

Every day we read about natural disasters happening all over the world: fires, earthquakes, hurricanes, tsunamis, tornadoes, etc. And they seem to be getting closer and closer to home all the time.

I have thought about this a lot over the last couple of months.

CAN WE PREPARE AND BE AT PEACE WHEN WE LIVE IN A STATE OF POTENTIAL DISASTER?

I BELIEVE WE CAN!

I believe that there are two ways we can prepare. The first way is physical preparation. The second is emotional preparation. In the next couple of articles I intend to address each one of these.