Sikh temple houses hundreds of Oroville Dam evacuees

The evacuation notice came without much warning on Sunday, forcing 200,000 residents near the Oroville Dam to leave their homes in a moment's notice.

When temple staff at Gurdwara Sahib Sikh Temple in West Sacramento heard the news, they rushed to open the temple's doors and spread the word that anyone in need of shelter was welcome.

Between the hours of 10 p.m. and 5 a.m., nearly 200 evacuees, escaping potential flooding along Highway 70 south of Oroville, made their way to the temple.

According to the Sacramento Bee, a staff of 19 worked around the clock to ensure their guests had toiletries, bedding, and a warm vegetarian meal.

Temple manager Ranjeep Singh told Sarah Ravani of the Chronicle that evacuees slept on the temple's floor and in apartments across the street from the main complex.

Gurdwara Sahib is one of six Sikh centers throughout Sacramento that is offering temporary housing to those displaced by the Oroville spillway, according to Mayor Darrell Steinberg of Sacramento. The region is home to the largest Sikh community outside of India.

Ashok Kumar, left and Raj Kumar, right, prepare breakfast at the Shri Guru Ravidass, a Sikh temple that has opened its doors for all evacuees of the Oroville Dam crisis, on February 14, 2017 in Rio Linda, California. (Photo by Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images) less Ashok Kumar, left and Raj Kumar, right, prepare breakfast at the Shri Guru Ravidass, a Sikh temple that has opened its doors for all evacuees of the Oroville Dam crisis, on February 14, 2017 in Rio Linda, ... more Photo: Marcus Yam/LA Times/Getty Images Photo: Marcus Yam/LA Times/Getty Images Image 1 of / 87 Caption Close Sikh temple houses hundreds of Oroville Dam evacuees 1 / 87 Back to Gallery

Two hundred people took refuge in the two-story temple on Sunday evening, but Singh says they have space for 100-200 more individuals.

Though community members have been generous with donations, the Congregation Committee has also authorized the use of temple funds as needed.

Many of those seeking shelter at Gurdwara Sahib were members of the Sikh community, but some were not. The Sikh faith calls upon believers to serve those in need, regardless of their religious beliefs.

Sam Lyon, 38, said a sheriff's deputy gave him and his family five minutes to evacuate their home. With his wife, four young children, and five dogs in tow, the family fled.

After spending the night at a truck stop, Lyon and his family finally made their way to the Sikh temple.

"When we were evacuated, we were just told to get out. I was barely able to grab my kids some clothes," Lyon, who moved to California three weeks ago from Kentucky, told Ravani.

The Office of Emergency Management informed Lyon that the evacuation order could stand for up to one month. He is uncertain if his resources will last that long, as the flooding has prevented him and his wife from working. Currently, his family's only source of income is his firefighter disability pay.

"If it gets to a certain point, I'll take whatever money I have and my family and I'll leave," he said. "I'm about ready to lose everything I own."

Read Michelle Robertson’s latest stories and send her news tips at mrobertson@sfchronicle.com.