A few years ago in an editors meeting we heard a report about what might happen if the West Side of the state had a natural disaster. (Most likely scenario: Mount Rainier would blow). The prediction was that thousands of Seattle-area refugees would seek refuge here.

It seemed such a fantastical notion that something so devastating would send people our way. I haven't heard yet whether any flood victims have come over here to escape the damage caused by the flooding, but if you haven't seen how devastating the flood damage is, be sure to watch the photo slideshow on our Web page. Link here.

The major hospital in the flood area, Providence Centralia, was reachable for awhile only by helicopter. Now according to the Rich Roesler's story "troops with high-clearance trucks were also ferrying supplies to the hospital in Centralia, which Gregoire said is surrounded by water."

The hospital is part of Providence Health System, of which Sacred Heart Medical Center and Holy Family Hospital are part. My e-mail yesterday was filled with prayer requests from Providence employees I know. Some of the hospital staffers have lost their homes.

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