Monday - November 2, 1998.
Update on Tegucigalpa from Lurvin Bonilla:
I called my family in Tegucigalpa last night and they said that it
was still raining. Most of the bridges in Tegucialpa are gone and
just to give you an example, the River that runs thru Colonia Venezuela, (around La Sanfrancisco, Flor de Campo and El Eden), Flood the lower half of the Sector A.
According to my family no lives were lost. My aunt says there is
no Food, Drinking Water or Milk for the kids and they are in desperate need for this items. They also need clothes and blankets because it
is a little bit cold.
The storm didn't not take away my families houses, but they say that
is hard for them to find a place where to find people selling the necessary things most of them are closed or if they are open they are selling everything very expensive.
Monday - November 2, 1998.
Update on Roatan from Ashton Byrd:
All boats in Oak Ridge Marina survived hurricane Mitch with little or no damage.
Monday - November 2, 1998.
Update on Roatan from Diane Korbey:
We spoke with Terry Kyle and Patrice Heller via satellite phone again last night. They report improving weather conditions, min. damage to property from Oak Ridge to Port Royal; no known deaths. Oak Ridge cay was under water but has receded and damage again is min. They also report that the road from Oak Ridge to French Harbor is open. Food is scarce and all supplies are oriented toward Guanaja. Airport is operating for emergency personnel only but expected to begin full operation perhaps as early as today.
Situation grim on mainland - all export crops are destroyed along with homes and they anticipate a large loss of life there. Bodies are now washing ashore in Roatan. We thank everyone who kept us updated on the situation.
Monday - November 2, 1998.
Update on Tegucigalpa from Hotel Honduras Maya:
The situation is getting progessively worse here. Most relief stations
are out of food, the supply of jet fuel is for the air bridge and rescue
flights is down to 2 days maximum. The city is cut off from the rest of
country, all roads and bridges into and out of the city are inpassable
at this time. Washed out bridges, mudslides have made land travel
impossible. Evacuation and relief is possible by air only. medicines,
food, powdered milk, water, are in critically low supply. Please help!
Monday - November 2, 1998.
Update on Guanaja from Andrew Cooper, a Canadian tourist:
There was plenty of fresh water at Sandy Bay, but because of plumbing
damage, water is available at the pipeline near the waterfront, not in most of the houses. Manatee, Stress-free, Frances place, Coopers, David and Jean, Barry's, Deena's, Springer's, Kirk's all survived well with varying amounts of damage. Horizonte was washed away, along with most of the buildings on stilts near it. Saturday we went into town for some supplies and while there was no gas, batteries, candles or hurricane lamps, two of the shops were open and had a reasonable amount of food. All the power lines and telephone service in Bonacca are out of order but the generators are still there and just need repair. Bonacca is not leveled but many of the houses at the waters edge have been blown away and all the other buildings have some apparent damage. Saturday the Bonaccans were in good spirits and well into clean-up after a motivation speech by Miss Cheryl, the Mayor. Saturday we talked to the Doctor and he said they were busy, but part of that was cleaning up the clinic which wouldn't be a high priority if many people were badly hurt. Sunday there were a handful of nurses busying themselves around the Island and clean-up was continuing.
The north shore was hit very hard with only 4-5 houses left standing in
Mangrove Bight. Savannah Bight was also hit very hard with only about a
dozen homes still standing. By Saturday one load of food had arrived at
Posada del Sol via helicopter and was distributed at Savannah by Posada
staff and guests. Posada has repaired their electrical and water systems
and they have a satellite phone, staff in the Florida office (561-624-3438)
were helpful in relaying a message to Posada. There's no certainty the
message will travel very quickly after that though, since VHF from Posada
to the rest of the island is poor at the best of times and most of the
radios on Guanaja aren't working now anyway.
On Sunday when I was leaving (Rollins was flying to Roatan and La Ceiba at
normal prices) we saw a British warship just outside the reef, presumably
there to provide some aid, and saw a freighter under way from Roatan. We
had heard there were three ships in Roatan waiting for the seas to calm so
they could make the passage, and some ships in Cayman doing the same thing, so I presume they will be getting more food, medicine etc. very soon. The weather was good when I left and cleanup was under way, not too many people hurt either. On Guanaja there were some deaths from houses falling in or drownings but whoever didn't die seemed to be in good health.
The most obvious needs are food, gas, cooking fuel, water system repairs and construction materials.
Monday - November 2, 1998 - 2:00 p.m.
Update from Eng. Tomas Lozano, the Minister of SECOP
(Public "Obras", Transportation and Communication):
Official Statistics for the Country:
69 bridges out of service
Loss in the way infrastructure in Honduras: 80% total damage
Deaths: 182, plus 23 disappearances
377 Destroyed houses
Official shelters are housing 250,255 people
Yesterday the Honduran government suspended all exportation of basic grains because the people need that food.
Today the people of BID, World Bank and other International Institutions will arrive to have a meeting with the President, Carlos Flores, to evaluate the situation and offer Honduras special monetary help.
The Guatemala Rescue Corps in Honduras have given great help with the local Rescue Corps.
The Capital City of Tegucigalpa has been out of communication by phone, air, and land; but Hondutel hopes to have service restored within the next 12 hours. The airport is authorized now for rescue operations. Many looters are busy in all the cities forcing open supermarket gates to obtain food and water. In Tegucigalpa the supermarkets were full, as they did not expect to be affected by the storm.
The Cajon was at 30% of capacity last Monday, but yesterday was at 100%. This is why the order was given for the gate to be opened.
In the Valle del Sula, there is expected to be water problems for 4 more days. Helicopter operations (private and official) are going more quickly.
The San Pedro Sula (SPS) - Puerto Cortes roadway has been opened with restrictions to the public traffic. Later today it is expected to be open for all transportation. The Mayor of SPS does not believe it will be necessary to restrict public transportation as gas has arrived in the city.
The Puerto Cortes port is operative and can receive ships, but other towns near to Pto Cortes (Omoa, Mapala...) are out of telephone and land communication. La Lima has over 4 meters of water.
La Ceiba has a lot of power problems, they are only 30% operative. If anyone plans to fly to La Ceiba with help, they must make previous contact with the Honduras Embassy in the USA, so they can evaluate the importance of the flight and give authorization.
Olanchito is out of communication. The rain continued yesterday, and the Power is also out.
Comayaguela phones are 100% out of service. The central phone center was damaged, but Hondutel is working to restore service within the next 24 hours.
Yesterday authorization was given, over the disaster area of Guanaja, for rescue flights only. Unfortunately, many news agencies (local and International) flew over the area to take photographs, impeding rescue operations.
The Golozon and Roatan airports are open to International and Rescue operations now.
Monday - November 2, 1998 - 3:30 p.m.
Update by HONDURAS.COM STAFF:
Due to the catastrophic conditions within Honduras as a direct result of the damages caused by Hurricane Mitch, the
Honduran government has issued the following special decree # CPM-19-93 which is designed to safeguard the
security of the Honduran population and their personal property. This decree is effective immediately and valid until
further notice. It states the following mandatory orders:
1.- Circulation of vehicles in high risk and critical areas will be restricted and controlled by the National Traffic
Department as per instructions of the Secretary of State.
2.- An emergency curfew is imposed which prohibits the free circulation of persons between 8:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.
Anyone who disobeys this order will be taken by the authorities to the closest shelter. Exceptions include people with
diplomatic immunity; life-saving personnel including doctors and nurses, paramedics, or anyone assisting in rescue
operations and shelters; and any national or international news media personnel who are actively reporting these tragic
events.
3.- The presence of any unauthorized individuals in critical areas such as bridges, rivers, and flooded areas is strictly
forbidden.
4.- All people who have been evacuated from high risk areas are strictly forbidden to return to these areas until further
notice. The government will issue a decree indicating when they can return to these areas.
5.- The national police and the armed forces are hereby authorized to employ whatever force necessary to combat
looters, and any other individuals who attempt to commit crimes against other people and their properties. Looters will
be arrested immediately.
Monday - November 2, 1998 - 6:00 p.m.
Update on Tegucigalpa via e-mail from Barbara Biggins:
My son, Jim Leichliter is a teacher at the international school in
Tegucigalpa. He reports via E-mail that there are riots and looting. He witnessed the crash of the mayor's helicopter. He is very concerned about the lack of food supplies and fresh water. His estimate is that the worst is yet to come due to contaminated water supplies. He says that the death toll is far greater than anything being reported in american news media. His requests are for food, water and prayer for the people of Honduras.
Monday - November 2, 1998 - 7:00 p.m.
Update on Chiquita from Nick Hubing, INTEC Americas:
Chiquita might take $50 million Q4 write-off.
CINCINNATI, Nov 2 (Reuters) - Banana giant Chiquita Brands International
Inc. said Monday it might write off about $50
million in the fourth quarter after its Central American operations
suffered significant damage in the wake of one of the most
powerful storms ever to hit the region.
``The company...believes that most banana industry plantings in Honduras
have been destroyed or severely damaged,'' it said
in a statement, referring to one of the region's countries where it has
its largest cultivation of the fruit in the area.
Honduras and other Central American countries are recovering from the
deadly sweep of Hurricane Mitch, which was thought
to have killed thousands of people after causing floods and mudslides.
``Chiquita is in the early stages of assessing damage to its banana
farms and other production facilities,'' it said. "(It) currently
estimates that asset write-offs relating to Honduras for its fourth
quarter ended December 31, 1998 will be in the $50 million
range.
``The company expects that aggregate exports for both Chiquita and the
banana industry will be significantly below earlier
expectations for the remainder of 1998 and well into 1999,'' it added.
A company spokesman said Honduras and Guatemala were the only two
countries with Chiquita operations that were hit by
the storm. Honduras had the biggest with some 7,000 hectares (17,000 acres) under banana cultivation for the company, while
Guatemala had about 3,000 hectares (8,000 acres), according to the
statement.
The spokesman said Honduras was responsible for 10 percent of the
company's total banana sales volume in terms of boxes.
Chiquita's operations in Costa Rica and Panama were not touched by the
storm, he said. The company said in the statement it had yet to assess the damage caused by floods at its facilities in Guatemala.
``Communication and travel to the region have been difficult, and it is
virtually impossible to assess all the needs,'' it said.
Monday - November 2, 1998 - 8:30 p.m.
Update on Roatan from Diane Korbey:
We have again spoken to Terry Kyle in Port Royal. He reports that damage to the Port Royal and Oak Ridge was min. While Oak Ridge cay was under water, it has receded and property damage min - he knows of no loss of life. Conditions difficult on the island - no supplies; bodies from the mainland floating ashore. However roads are open and air trans. reported to start mid week.
Monday - November 2, 1998 - 9:45 p.m.
Update by HONDURAS.COM STAFF:
We just received word from San Pedro Sula, that they are having trouble obtaining any of the relief supplies as they are going to Tegucigalpa. Anyone wanting supplies to go to San Pedro Sula should send SPS RELIEF on flights from Miami to Guatemala via CORMAR (AEI). From there they will be transported from Guatemala City to Puerto Barrios by land and then to Pto. Cortes by boat, and then to San Pedro Sula. This form of transportation will take three days.
NOTE: It is important that any goods you send are marked "RELIEF", "AID", or "HELP", as these packages will not be taxed by the Aduana.
Interesting fact: Yesterday was "Fireman Day" in Honduras. It is traditionally a day set aside to honor all the firemen in the country for their efforts. The firemen spent the day busy with rescue operations.
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