Floods & Quakes

Natural disasters are striking around the globe.

Hawaii’s Big Island narrowly avoided its first direct hit from a hurricane in 155 years (see Hawaii’s rare hurricane history), but was lashed by heavy winds and rain. At least one person died, and tens of thousands lost power as Hurricane Lala skirted the Big Island’s southern tip before weakening to a tropical storm yesterday morning. Forecasters warned that dangerous conditions, including deadly surf, high winds, mudslides, and flash floods, could persist for days.

Meanwhile, a magnitude-7.7 earthquake struck eastern Indonesia on Saturday, killing at least 53, displacing ~5,000, and injuring 100+. Rescue crews are combing collapsed buildings and landslide debris for survivors. 

And last week’s derecho-producing storms (think: inland hurricane) caused massive flooding in Indiana, killing at least six people and breaking a 113-year record.

ETERNAL PERSPECTIVE
Massive weather events and natural disasters remind us that all of the world has been broken by sin. But Christians can look forward to an eternity where there’s redemption not just for people, but for creation itself. 

“For the creation was subjected to futility ​— ​not willingly, but because of him who subjected it ​— ​in the hope that the creation itself will also be set free from the bondage to decay into the glorious freedom of God’s children.” 
Romans 8:20-21 (CSB) (read full passage)