DAY 4 After Hurricane Dean Report - Corozal, Belize
There's good news from Corozal Town tonight, as running water has been restored to many homes, and electricity to at least a few. It's very hit or miss: Chula Vista has power, while neighboring Alta Mira does not; "downtown" Corozal does not, but homes nearer the highway do. As far as I know, the South End is still out, and Consejo too.
Somehow it seems that for every step forward, there's two back ... You can imagine how discouraged Roger and Deema Thompson were when a re-routed bus hurtled down their street today and tore down their telephone line. So they're back to Square One, no power and now no phone either. But they do have water!
Jan Wilson has posted post-Dean photos of Corozal on her website, including this one showing the remains of a large satellite receiver dish.
You can see more photos on Jan's website, here:
http://corozal.com/envt/dean/damage
I especially like the photo that shows a dozen cell phones clustered like leeches on a generator!
The situation in Corozal is in sharp contrast to the state of affairs in Chetumal, where power has been restored to an estimate 85% of homes, and 95% of the streets have already been cleared of debris.
"You really should tell everyone that the emergency response by the Mexican government was quick and efficient, really top notch," writes Roger Duke. "And the local police did a great job directing traffic through the many intersections with damaged stoplights."
In Chetumal, the Plaza de las Americas mall is open, including the large, well-stocked and air conditioned Chedraui grocery store; down by the bay the Sam's Club is open, and many of the Pemex gas stations are selling gas with no price-gouging or rationing.
By the way, I had a report that the pier in Chetumal is cracked in two; I don't know if this is instead of the pier at Majahual, or in addition to that pier.
Anyway, it must be hard for people in Corozal, confronted by store shelves that are either empty, or sparsely stocked with goods priced five times higher than usual, to know that just 10 minutes across the border there are bright lights, cheap food, plentiful water, gasoline and building supplies. Needless to say, Belizeans are still prevented by the Government of Belize from bringing those desperately needed supplies home to their families. Greedy customs officials at the border continue their vigilance, confiscating "contraband" like dairy products, produce and meat. (It is possible, however, to bring prepared foods across the border, so if you can live on pizza and Pepsi or afford Big Macs, you're all set.)
Corozal's restaurants remain closed, their fresh food sold out and frozen food stocks given away or spoiled, with no way to obtain any more. I'm told you can't get chicken, bread, eggs, milk, vegetables or cheese in Corozal stores. While NEMO issues press releases assuring the people of the district that they have plenty of food and water for all, there is no sign yet of government assistance in Corozal Town. In Mexico, the Red Cross delivered water bottles that actually contained water, unlike the Corozal Red Cross, who delivered empty water bottles to the village of Chan Chen (see Day 3's blog report).
Hey, here's a question: I read a NEMO press release that claimed it had distributed 42 hurricane kits valued at $250 BZ each just before the storm. Has anyone seen even one of these miraculous kits? Other than in the home of a NEMO official, I mean.
Meanwhile, a dozen doctors from Cuba have arrived in Corozal to provide emergency medical relief, and to combat the potential outbreaks of cholera and other diseases that arise from a contaminated water supply and complete lack of a sewer system. No word on aid from any other country.
It's enough to give you heartburn, isn't it?
As always, feel free to email me with new info or questions: margaret (at) localgringos (dot) com.
--Margaret (a.k.a. MaggieBelize)
Somehow it seems that for every step forward, there's two back ... You can imagine how discouraged Roger and Deema Thompson were when a re-routed bus hurtled down their street today and tore down their telephone line. So they're back to Square One, no power and now no phone either. But they do have water!
Jan Wilson has posted post-Dean photos of Corozal on her website, including this one showing the remains of a large satellite receiver dish.
You can see more photos on Jan's website, here:
http://corozal.com/envt/dean/damage
I especially like the photo that shows a dozen cell phones clustered like leeches on a generator!
The situation in Corozal is in sharp contrast to the state of affairs in Chetumal, where power has been restored to an estimate 85% of homes, and 95% of the streets have already been cleared of debris.
"You really should tell everyone that the emergency response by the Mexican government was quick and efficient, really top notch," writes Roger Duke. "And the local police did a great job directing traffic through the many intersections with damaged stoplights."
In Chetumal, the Plaza de las Americas mall is open, including the large, well-stocked and air conditioned Chedraui grocery store; down by the bay the Sam's Club is open, and many of the Pemex gas stations are selling gas with no price-gouging or rationing.
By the way, I had a report that the pier in Chetumal is cracked in two; I don't know if this is instead of the pier at Majahual, or in addition to that pier.
Anyway, it must be hard for people in Corozal, confronted by store shelves that are either empty, or sparsely stocked with goods priced five times higher than usual, to know that just 10 minutes across the border there are bright lights, cheap food, plentiful water, gasoline and building supplies. Needless to say, Belizeans are still prevented by the Government of Belize from bringing those desperately needed supplies home to their families. Greedy customs officials at the border continue their vigilance, confiscating "contraband" like dairy products, produce and meat. (It is possible, however, to bring prepared foods across the border, so if you can live on pizza and Pepsi or afford Big Macs, you're all set.)
Corozal's restaurants remain closed, their fresh food sold out and frozen food stocks given away or spoiled, with no way to obtain any more. I'm told you can't get chicken, bread, eggs, milk, vegetables or cheese in Corozal stores. While NEMO issues press releases assuring the people of the district that they have plenty of food and water for all, there is no sign yet of government assistance in Corozal Town. In Mexico, the Red Cross delivered water bottles that actually contained water, unlike the Corozal Red Cross, who delivered empty water bottles to the village of Chan Chen (see Day 3's blog report).
Hey, here's a question: I read a NEMO press release that claimed it had distributed 42 hurricane kits valued at $250 BZ each just before the storm. Has anyone seen even one of these miraculous kits? Other than in the home of a NEMO official, I mean.
Meanwhile, a dozen doctors from Cuba have arrived in Corozal to provide emergency medical relief, and to combat the potential outbreaks of cholera and other diseases that arise from a contaminated water supply and complete lack of a sewer system. No word on aid from any other country.
It's enough to give you heartburn, isn't it?
As always, feel free to email me with new info or questions: margaret (at) localgringos (dot) com.
--Margaret (a.k.a. MaggieBelize)
Comments