The Caribbean Hurricane Page Updates from the Islands Mitch - Honduras http://www.gobeach.com/hurr.htm

The most recent updates can be found on another page.

-HELP- 
Date: Sat, 7 Nov 1998 14:51:32 -0500
From: tristam b johnson jr. (tristamb@sover.net)
Subject: Any news abouy Jesus de Otoro in department Intibuca?

Dear Gert,
We have been following the events since a week ago via your website. You
have done a fanstastic job and hope that all who have conected via this
service remember. We lived in Honduras for 4 years and fortunately left
in July this year. We have very close friends, and so do our kids, who
live in Jesus de Otoro. Have you had any news about that community? It
sits roughly southwest of Lago Yojoa.
Also, have you received any confirmation about the status of the San
Pedro Sula airport? I am coming down to wrok wit a medical team that is
scheduled to land there....when it opens... thanks to whomever can
answer...tristam and wendy johnson


-HELP- 
Date: Sat, 7 Nov 1998 20:45:33 +0400
From: Martin Muckle (muckle@qatar.net.qa)

Myself and all his friends in the UK are looking for news of Simon Taylor
and his wife Maritza and their boy Dylan.  His address is Correo
Nacional, Coxen Hole, Roatan.  He is employed at Sandy Bay Rent-a-car on
Roatan (phone 45-1710).  Any news would be gratefully received.
 
Thanks
 
Martin Muckle

-FOUND-
Date: Tue, 10 Nov 1998 20:20:33 +0400
From: Martin Muckle
Dear Gert,
                thank you for your efforts to bring comfort to those of
us who were worried about friends and relatives.  Through your service I
have been able to get news that Simon Taylor and family are safe and well
on Roatan.  Thanks again.


-HELP- 
Date: Sat, 7 Nov 1998 10:17:04 -0700
From: Steve W. Chavis (SteveChavis@pknet.org)
Subject: need news on town of Aldea Suyapa

Gert,
We are looking for any news at all about the small mountain town of
Aldea Suyapa, in central Honduras, north of the capitol.  Our Colorado
church has a missionary friend Mae Bell and her son Neil who have been
living and serving there for a few years.  Population -- 240.

Thanks for the helpful web page and many listings.  The have been a
great encouragement to us, and it helps us in the states coordinate
relief efforts.  Send any news to stevechavis@pknet.org or post as Gert
permits.

-FOUND-
Date: Tue, 10 Nov 1998 13:17:56 -0700
From: Steve W. Chavis (SteveChavis@pknet.org)

We have heard that our missionary friend, Mae Bell, in the Honduran town
of Aldea Suyapa is OK.  We have heard that the small town (pop. 240) in 
the mountains of central Honduras, north of Tegucigalpa, has some food 
and water, but no electricity. 

Thanks, Gert, for this valuable service.  God bless you.

Steve Chavis


-HELP-
Date: Sat, 7 Nov 1998 17:08:19 -0000
From: "Cori, Fay" (fay.cori@saqnet.co.uk)
Subject: Searching for a nephew

Gert
Your website is wonderful.  Only just found it and can hardly believe what I
read.  I know that only a miracle can help me to get news of my nephew
amongst the millions but I can't pass up the chance, however miniscule.
Just want to know that he and his family are alive.

I'm looking for a Brit - MAX DANIELS.  He was living on a farm twenty
minutes drive on the road out of La Ceiba which goes past the airport.  It
WAS also a bus route.  We used to send letters via his Spanish
parents-in-law at Casa 232 6ta Calle, Bo Potreritos, La Ceiba.  Any news,
good or bad please to
fay.cori@saqnet.co.uk


-HELP-
Date: Fri, 6 Nov 1998 10:29:00 +0100
From: Leonardo Felici (felicile@tin.it)
Subject: message from Italy

Dear Gert,
    thank you for your work!! We are Francesca and Leonardo Felici,
writing from from Ancona, Italy. Our daughter, Amanda Felici, a 17 years
old girl, is AFS student living in La Ceiba with Doblado family, Colonia
el Sauce. Thanking God, she is OK, and we are always able to phone her
from Italy, even during the hurricane. We know, thanking the AFS Honduran
volunteers, that the other 89 european AFS students and the 2 U.S.
students in Honduras are OK.
Please, contact us (felicile@tin.it) if somebody knows anything about:
 *  three Italian travellers, 2 girls, 24 and 32 years old, and a boy,
    23, still missing on the border between Nicaragua and Honduras.
 *  an Honduran friend of Amanda, a 21 years boy living in Roatan, ALEX
    MONTIER (I'm not sure about his last name). 
All of Ancona is worried for Honduras: in all churches, hospitals and
schools we are praying for Honduras and collecting money, according to
the Honduras Ambassy in Rome.
Francesca's sisters, Felicita De Pace (feldep@skynet.be), living in
Bruxelles, is collecting money and aid, according with the Honduran
Ambassy in Belgium.
The Italian Government too is sending money and aid to Honduras.
 
God bless you! 
 
Francesca and Leonardo
(felicile@tin.it)  


-RELIEF-
Date: Sat, 07 Nov 1998 01:40:09 -0800
From: Judy Ann Blake (jblake@jblake.com)
Subject: Help is coming from Los Angeles, California

I am a quarter-share owner of a cabana at Sundancer on Roatan, living in
Los Angeles, CA.  La Curaco, l605 W. Olympic, near downtown Los Angeles  has
been organizing the collecting of food (mainly canned items, powdered
milk, breakfast cereal,  pasta etc), some clothing (they prefer people
to bring food), some medical supplies and many checks.  This was being
publicized on television (that is how I heard about it).  I went
yesterday to help out for several hours  and cars were lined up all
day.  I inquired and they will be doing this again next week.  I speak
no Spanish and most of those helping spoke little English, so I got
limited information.  The main problem is transporting the goods to
Honduras.  I have heard that one airline has promised to take goods on
one flight. I believe that a ship has offered to make a trip if they
could get a whole shipload of merchandise. I believe they had about one
fourth the amount needed at that time. If  I can get more details,  I
will write again. Or if anyone wants more information, they may contact
me at jblake@jblake.com.  Judy Ann Blake

Judy adds the following. -Gert

I have learned that the city of Vernon, CA has gotten many goods
together and has gotten enough money to hire a charter plane to fly them
to Honduras this weekend. Judy Ann Blake


-NEWS-
Date: Sat, 7 Nov 1998 01:00:53 EST
From: AWACSEH@aol.com
Subject: Guanaja Mitch stories and update 6Nov 98

Dear Gert,
Here's a bit of an update. more as time allows.

Mary Solomon, my Mom from near Mangrove Bight, Guanaja has been in contact via
a HAM radio on Mr Tonias's boat / dormitory. The following is an update from
these conversations. There is some sort of chronology to the
information.

My folks house ( wooden pole structure ie STRONG) were initially blown over
and then blown/washed about 250 yards into a swamp farther inland. The winds
were very strong with gusts off scale on an anemometer which read up to 225
kts.  Gusts were estimated at 150 to 180 knots.  NOAA were reporting gusts of
this range in the wall of the eye.  Emmer (one of the guys from Mangrove
Bight) was picked up by the wind and was being blown
through the air but managed to grab on to a tree and save himself.  He is the
same person who hacked and slashed, for 3 hours to go 1 mile, in the aftermath
debris to find my folks. As far as Mom knows no one in Mangrove was hit by
flying debris during Mitch! Thankfully.
Greg and Sandi's house just around the corner from mangrove Bight  was
undamaged - probably because it sits right up against a very steep cliff - but
the wind generator was damaged.  They lost a dive shop that was on the beach.
This was the house that had 150 - 200 people in it at the height of the storm.
Most of the initial reports came from Greg via his cell phone to his wife
Sandi who was on the net in Vancouver. Technology! One of  2 cottages on
Crescent Moon  right next door to them was oblitterated. The other - Diana's
(?) miraculously remained intact.  The house on the hill at Crescent Moon was
damaged.  The top removed with the bottom reasonably OK. Just around the
corner Bo Bush's place is OK and has an entire entourage taking much
appreciated shelter there, but next to him Dave Stilley's house is gone
completely. There are 13-14
houses still standing in Mangrove Bight but all are damaged. The library top
is gone.

Captain Al's place in the cut is OK, but we understand the ground water there
is contaminated. Funny enough the surge in the cut was not overly high. Many
boats were sheltered there and the majority of the fishing fleet is fine. Some
boats are out fishing already - good on them. Quite a few smaller boats were
sunk near Capt Al's. The airstrip there has been in full swing since last week
some time. My Mom says she's never seen so many plane's around. There have
been numerous Islena and Rollins Air flights in from La Ceiba.The Carribean
Star has been doing yeoman's service with non stop runs back and forth to
Tampa. She's been a great service to get donations to the islands. Stuff for
particular people has to be paid for  however general goods for distribution
are accepted free of freight charge by Deep Reef Trading. A friend in Tampa
says they have at least 2 loads waiting for them on the dock in Tampa with
more pouring in all the time.

Mary is worried about malaria but my Uncle a very well respected Toxicology
Boilogist says it will likely not be a major problem in the islands and
for a while as a reservoir of infected people would be required to start
the transmission cycle.  Dengue and gastro are more likely to be problems
in the short term.

Back at Palm Point (Near Mangrove Bight), the swamp is now a lagoon (sand has
blocked the opening - part of the blessing in disguise).  The Yanmar diesel
generator motor is running and their generator is working, despite the salt
water.  A number of things have been found.
These include: the diving bottles, some hand tools, tool boxes, batteries,
some solar panels, Mary's large red carpet - under 2 feet of mud, some hinges
- which they usto put a door on the 6 x 6 generator shack theyre living in -
the only structure, apart from a couple of water tanks, that survived on their
part of the beach, some kayak paddles, and two bottles of single malt scotch
(one already consumed).
Two of their outboards are apparently running and Keith and Sandra's Solomon's
Boat is OK and being used to ferry stuff across the lagoon.  The old lifeboat
"Capt Pugwash" is still 250yds up in the mangroves as it is too heavy to
easily move.
The Black Rock boat is severely (terminally?) damaged and there are only
pieces of Doug's new boat (the Gumboot) left.
Theyve also found pieces of a large boat washed up on the shore. At the height
of the storm my Dad recalls hearing an engine running. So, it is possible that
the Fantome may have foundered in the vicinity, God bless her Crew.

Supplies are coming in with some regularity and food is no longer a severe
problem. Everyone is wary to make sure they get fresh water when someone
brings it around too. Fuel (gasoline and diesel) is available.  Sandi brought
chain saws with her on the Star and these have been very useful to cut away
the debris.

What is needed most now is time and person power to help clean up and rebuild.

High on the desirable list also:
Fiberglass and resin as many of the surviving boats need to be repaired.
LUMBER - just starting to see some arrive today.
WD40 or similiar solvent / lubricant / dessicant to stop rusting metal bits
Snorkelling gear for recovery
Outboard electrical parts and fuel tank hoses.

Many locals lost their boats and therfore their method of transport. We need
to start canvassing to get small boats and outboards for the locals if
possible - perhaps recommend various aid groups buy them. Anyone with the time
to write a letters to the effect, please info me.
I also thought about seeing if Mariner, Yamaha and Honda would donate parts,
especially the electrical parts which are mostly ruined,  to repair "their"
engines. I can get a list of parts required from Guanaja to forward. Same with
putting in a request to Homelite, Husqvarna and McCullough for chainsaws. Not
just for Guanaja but for all the areas of Honduras that need them. If anyone
has the time - go for it!

A Canadian HAM operator called Chris Tiller in Costa Rica has very kindly
donated a radio to my Mom, to replace the one she lost and to help provide a
reliable communication medium, for the North Side of Guanaja.  It should
arrive shortly and were looking forward to being able to do more frequent
calls. Chris rallied a whole slew of people across Florida to help, and the
radio relay - so to speak - has been a real team effort. THANKS to all
involved. Yes, you too Herb Crawford.

More updates once we get the radio set up.
Graham Solomon


-HELP-
Date: Fri, 06 Nov 98 22:10:05 -0800
From: Sharon  Perry (Perry1@worldnet.att.net)
Subject: HELP! Looking for a Friend

Gert,
  I have just visited your site and think it is great people are helping
people find loved ones. We are looking for a special friend who lives in
Tegucigalpa. Her name is LUZ ZAMBRANO. The last address I have for her is
just a Post Office Box. It is P.O. Box # 4284, Tegucigalpa, D.C. If anyone
knows anything about her, please let us know.
   We know too, she has a daughter, Flory, who the last we knew was living
in San Pedro Sula and taught English and Computers.
   If anyone knows anything about them please let us know at
perry1@worldnet.att.net and please tell them they are in our prayers as
everyone in Honduras is.
Thank you,
Sharon Perry


-HELP-
Date: Fri, 6 Nov 1998 23:19:42 -0000
From: Sonja Gray (sonjalarry@alltel.net)
Subject: Looking for friends

Can you help? We have heard no information about Yoro, Yoro. I am looking
for a friend.The complete address is as follows:
                              Erika Juliana George M.
                              Borrio Santiago
                              Yoro, Yoro
                              Honduras CA

Erika lived across from a Catholic Convent or compound in Yoro with her
mother, father and brother and sister.Could you at least let me know about
the conditions in this area?Anything will be much appreciated.

May God bless you in your efforts.

Sonjalarry@alltel.net


-(WANT TO) HELP-
Date: Fri, 06 Nov 1998 20:50:57 -0600
From: Carter and Teresa (weba@lcc.net)
Subject: want to help friends on utila

have friends on utila.  want to do what i can.  can anyone give me info
on the island, and how to get supplies, food, clothing there?   i would
dearly love to hear from nada and/or jernigan cooper-trudys.  anything
that i can spare i will send as long as i can be assured that it will
get to utila.
thanks,
carter


-HELP-
Date: Fri, 06 Nov 1998 19:05:02 -0700
From: cobroker@uswest.net
Subject: Savannah Bight-Guanaja

Thank you all for the updates from Honduras.  I have not seen any recent
information on Savannah Bight.  I'm looking for information about Jenny
Lynn and her son, as well as Mike Brown and his family.  Can anyone
provide information on their condition and specifically relief effort
for this small remote village.  Is the Seventh Day Adventist Church in
Savannah Bight able to receive direct supplies and funds for rebuilding?

This is a community of warm and loving people.  I know they will come
through this horrible event and be a strong community.  Please contact
me at cobroker@uswest.net


-NEWS- -HELP-
Date: Fri, 06 Nov 1998 17:44:13 -0800
From: Bob Morley (ram@islandnet.com)
Subject: Trujillo Report

Hi Gert,

Following is part of a report out of Trujillo from missionary Sharon 
Francis. Sharon has been there 10 years. Her phone number at the bottom 
is not in service at this time and the web site is under construction. 
We sent her back with a lap top computer last Feb. thus she is able to 
get us this report. No power there so the battery in the computer will 
not last too long. I hope she can set up her fax at  the home of Erica 
so that we can exchange faxes and pass along more info. Erica is her
full time assistant.

I would also appreciate help in contacting radio evangelist PONCHITO
ENAMORADO from Santa Barbara. If any one has contacts in that part of 
Honduras could you make some inquires please.

Also would like to here news of Rodney & Dolly Blaylock, missionaries in
San Pedro Sula.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

So far, the people haven't received any of the aid that has come in to
Trujillo.
So far it has all been confiscated by the soldiers, and put into storage.  I
don't have a clue why, because people are hungry.

Somehow reading about a disaster in the newspapers, or seeing pictures on
T.V. is not as real as actually living through the experience yourself.  It
is children that I know personally who are suffering without food to eat or
even a glass of milk to drink.  It is families that I know who no longer
have homes to live in or a change of clothes to wear.  It is parents that I
know who are reduced to begging for food for their children.

It has been just a week now since hurricane Mitch devastated our country
and the destruction is far from being cleaned up.  Power lines are down and
the poles rooted up.  They estimate it will be at least two months before
we have electricity again.  A few of the homes have telephone service,
although mine is gone.  Erica still has a phone line. Bridges are out all
over Honduras, and Trujillo and its surrounding villages are pretty well
cut off.

Supplies are being flown in to Trujillo, everyday, but for some reason they
are not reaching the people.  Lineups are everywhere.  I have managed to
get approximately $10. of diesel for my truck, so far, and I had to wait 2
hours to get it.  Today there is no more fuel.  Propane for cooking is
nonexistent.  The store shelves are nearly empty.

Yesterday we visited a neighboring village to carry a few provisions
provided by our church.  Nearly 100% of the houses were destroyed.  Most of
the people were living together under one roof.  What we carried was so
little compared to what they need.  I felt so helpless.  Later we carried
used clothing to one of the local churches, shelter for people from another
village destroyed by flooding.  I talked to some of the children, and they
told me about the river that came and washed away their houses.  We aren't
able to get to San Francisco, one of the villages where we have worked for
several years, but we have heard that it was hit very hard.  Fortunately
the people evacuated beforehand and no lives were lost.

I'm sure that before this is over, I will have much more to tell, but in
the meantime, I ask that you pray for these people in their time of need.
These are real people with real needs.

Erica and family and I are fine.  Erica's new house is strong, so it became
shelter for 6 families during the storm.  Some of the tin lifted on the
roof of my house, but it stayed on.  I spend much of the nights of the
storm claiming the promises of Psalm 91.  The church I attend across the
road from my house lost about 1/4 of the roof.

Although I don't want you to worry, I do ask that you pray.  The situation
here is critical.  Because of the shortage of supplies, people are beginning
to steal, and as a result we have a 9:00p.m. military enforced curfew.
Please pray for God's protection as we try to help where we can.
With much love and thanks for your prayers,
Sharon

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sharon Francis - Christian Ministries to C.A.            Mision Verdad y Vida
P.O. Box 6031 Depot 1                               Apdo 18 - Trujillo, Colon
Victoria, B.C. Canada, V8P 5L4                           Honduras, C.A. 32101
Telephone: 478-8436                         Telephone/Fax:     (504) 434-4072

E-Mail: sharon@laceiba.com        WWW:  http://www.islandnet.com/cm
        sharon.francis@islandnet.com
     cc ram@islandnet.com  and I will fax it if she is not receiving e-mail
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Bob Morley, Bookkeeper
islandnet.com


-HELP-
Date: Fri, 6 Nov 1998 19:37:48 EST
From: Rvlgoblue1@aol.com
Subject: How is Jutaculpa?

Dear Gert,
I pray daily for the people of Honduras and those like yourself who are
helping with search efforts.  We took care of a 10 year old boy this summer
who was in Michigan
for medical care.  His family lives in Jutaculpa and we would like any
information re: the city.  The only address that I have for his family is:
          Esta es Nuestra Direcion:
          Carlos Pavon and /or Sara Cruz
          Casa # 316
          Jutaculpa  (Grand Express  T64. 800)
          Phone #  885-2339
The boy's name is Dimier.  Any info you can give us about the town or his
family is appreciated.  We will continue to pray for you.  Thank you.


-HELP-
Date: Fri, 6 Nov 1998 16:12:47 EST
From: WCubas@aol.com
Subject: looking for the Cubas family.

I am looking for any information on the Cubas family from la Ceiba.Any
information is greatly appreciate. (Julio Cubas )

Wendy Cubas
wcubas@aol.com


-RELIEF-
Date: Fri, 06 Nov 1998 12:54:09 -0500
From: Marty Maayan (mmaayan@hitter.net)

Gert-- most everything to build houses quickly in Honduras has been
donated or is being so.  We have our builder there already and molds
for the blocks-- our houses are easily built and very quickly.  We still
need donations of concrete there  and a few other small things and we
can get going and we can even show the individuals how to build their
own houses and give them the materials to do so. marty maayan

Some more info I received earlier from Marty:

From: Marty Maayan (mmaayan@hitter.net)
Subject: housing for Honduras/Guatemale and Belize

I am a babe in arms but have been given the rights to a very special
process of building houses which are, environmentally sound, hurriucane
proof, comfortabel, attractive and quite inexpensive to build.  I have
the rights to those licenses and the company has waived the fees for 6
months. I am looking for people who might be able to fund the project on
the ground.  The company has molds for creating the very special block
with which a few children can put up a house in about 2 weeks and adults
in a matter of days. Please help me to help others.  My email address is
mmaayan@rocketmail.com and phone is 352-684-6719 here in Florida. Thank
you. Marty Maayan

The company is called: Environmental House -Gert


-NEWS-
Date: Fri, 06 Nov 1998 14:22:03 -0600
From: Elias Rodas Alvarez (rodacom@itsnetworks.net)
Subject: Recovering in Honduras

Dear Gert:

Here in Honduras we are slowly getting back to normality.  It has not been
such a pleasant experience the one that we just lived, but I think that in
the end, we will have something good coming out of the bad. I don't know
how much did you know about Honduras before Mitch, but I will tell you that
back then, most people did not have a purpose, but only the selfishness of
working for oneself, and the honduran was always expecting that someone
else would do something for him/her.  Now, it is good to see that everyone
knows the common goal we have ahead: rebuild  a new Honduras. When you talk
to everyone, you can see that everyone wants to work hard for this country
and make it better. We still have many limitations: no water in most parts
of the cities, no food, no gasoline, but nobody is complaining, just
working and waiting patiently for a better future.  As always, there are
those who think that food will come down from heaven, but they're just a
few. We are very thankful for the international aid which is helping a lot,
specially the one from Mexico, which has even sent their Health minister to
closely see what has happenned here.


I just received the following report from RE/MAX; note that
it is dated Wednesday, November 4. -Gert

-NEWS-
Date: Fri, 06 Nov 1998 12:12:56 -0700
From: REMAX (remaxbi@globalnet.hn)

ROATAN ISLAND
HURRICANE MITCH UPDATE 
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 1998

HURRICANE MITCH VEERED AWAY FROM ROATAN (ONE OF THE SIX BAY ISLANDS) LAST
WEEK AND THE MAJORITY OF THE VERY STRONG WINDS MISSED THIS ISLAND.  AS THE
HURRICANE APPROACHED THE EASTERN END OF ROATAN, WINDS DECLINED FROM 155 TO
100 MILES PER HOUR.  UNFORTUNATELY, IT HOVERED OVER GUANAJA ISLAND FOR
SEVERAL DAYS WHERE IT CAUSED SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE.  THE HURRICANE THEN MOVED
OVER THE MAINLAND HONDURAN MOUNTAINS.  IF THIS SWITCH IN DIRECTION HAD NOT
OCCURED, ROATAN WOULD HAVE EXPERIENCED SERIOUS PROBLEMS. 

FORTUNATELY, THE BAY ISLANDS GENERALLY DO NOT HAVE STRONG HURRICANES (THE
LAST ONE WAS IN 1974) BECAUSE OF THE IMPACT OF THE MAINLAND MOUNTAINS ON
THE WINDS AND THE USUAL NORTHWESTWARD MOVEMENT OF STORMS, I.E. AWAY FROM US.

THERE WERE NO INJURIES ON THE 34 MILE LONG ISLAND OF ROATAN AND CERTAINLY
NO DEATHS AMONG OUR POPULATION OF 25,000 PEOPLE.  EXCEPT FOR A FEW ROATAN
COMMUNITIES LIKE PUNTA GORDA, VERY FEW HOMES WERE DAMAGED.  WE DO HAVE TREE
DAMAGE AND BEACH EROSION IN A FEW PLACES.  ALTHOUGH, IN OTHER AREAS THE
BEACHES HAVE BUILT UP WITH FRESH, NEW WHITE SAND.  ELECTRICITY AND
TELEPHONE ARE WORKING ON 95% OF ROATAN AND PLANES ARE ARRIVING AND
DEPARTING.  TOURISTS NOW ARE RETURNING TO ROATAN TO ENJOY THE PRISTINE
REEFS AND OUR MILES OF BEACHES.

AT PALMETTO BAY, WE LOST A FEW SHINGLES ON THE HOUSES AND PART OF OUR DOCK;
 BUT EVERYTHING ELSE IN TERMS OF BUILDINGS ARE FINE.  SINCE ALL THE
ELECTRIC LINES ARE UNDERGROUND, WE WERE SPARED ANY DAMAGE.  THE NEW
RESTAURANT STILL WILL OPEN IN DECEMBER.  CURRENTLY, WE HAVE PEOPLE WORKING
IN PALMETTO TO PUT TREES AND BUSHES UPRIGHT; TO PRUNE; AND TO REMOVE
DAMAGED PLANTS.  PALMETTO BAY'S 40 ACRES OF TROPICAL FOREST PRESERVES, WET
LANDS BIRD RESEVE, AND THE TROPICAL GARDENS AND PARKS CAME THROUGH IN GOOD
SHAPE.  THERE IS NO DAMAGE TO THE BOARD WALKWAYS OR GAZEBOS.  ON THE
POSITIVE SIDE, OUR 1-MILE LONG BEACH IS MUCH WIDER AND HAS WHITER SAND THAN
EVER BEFORE!

OUR RE/MAX BAY ISLANDS STAFF (LYLE, ALAN, MARGOT, TOM, SHARON, CONNIE,
JILL) ARE FINE AND WE ARE ANSWERING OUR E-MAIL AND CONFIRMING RENTALS FOR
OUR VACATION HOMES. 

PARTS OF THE MAINLAND OF HONDURAS HAVE CONSIDERABLE FLOOD DAMAGE,
ESPECIALLY TO ROADS AND BRIDGES.  WE ARE ATTEMPTING TO GET AID TO THEM.
BUT, THE MAINLAND IS MORE THAN 40 MILES FROM US.  THE MAINLAND AIRPORT AT
SAN PEDRO SULA WILL BE CLOSED THIS MONTH, BUT FLIGHTS STILL ARE COMING INTO
ROATAN DIRECTLY FROM HOUSTON, NEW ORLEANS, MIAMI, AND BELIZE.

THE TOURIST VACATION HOMES ARE FUNCTIONING ON ROATAN AND ARE CLEANED UP AND
READY.  VIRTUALLY ALL THE HOTELS ARE OPEN EXCEPT FOR ANTHONY'S KEY RESORT
WHICH IS DELAYED.  WE ALL ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO SHRIMP AND LOBSTER AGAIN
BECAUSE OUR 300 BOAT FLEET LEFT ITS PROTECTED MOORAGE ON ROATAN SEVERAL
DAYS AGO.

COME VISIT US SOON.  

RE/MAX BAY ISLANDS


-HELP-
Date: Fri, 6 Nov 1998 14:03:45 EST
From: RobieLee@aol.com
Subject: Utila

Please E me or post info on the co-ordinator for Utila relief..you're doing a
great job!
Robin


-HELP-
Date: Fri, 6 Nov 1998 12:42:07 -0500
From: bill & nancy hawkins (windhawk@dmv.com)
Subject: Guanaja

Looking for friends who are building a house in El Bight,  Their names are
Jean and David (from England) and have been living on their boat "SunBird"
anchored in El Bight.  Sorry, don't know their last names or whether they
have already moved in.  Saw them last Feb. and had'nt moved in yet.  Hope
you can find something out.  We are cruisers and have spent a great bit of
time in Guanaja - our hearts go out to these lovely, friendly people.
Sending a check through Bayman Bay Club.  Nancy & Bill - "Wind Hawk"
windhawk@dmv.com


-NEWS- -RELIEF UPDATE- (see earlier messages)
Date: Fri, 06 Nov 1998 09:18:12 -0800
From: loretta.miles (loretta.miles@mci2000.com)
Subject: Re: Honduras News

Dear Gert,

My husband continues to call and give me updates on the situation in Roatan.
Specific areas we have talked about are West End and West Bay (minor
damage), Half Moon Bay (minor damage), Mangrove Bit (minor damage),
Anthony's Key Resort (moderate to major damage), Sandy Bay (minor damage),
Pollitilly Bite (moderate to major damage), Punta Gorda (extreme damage),
Oakridge (moderate to major damage), Jonesville (moderate to major damage),
French Harbor (minor to moderate damage), Coxen Hole (minor damage).  The
airport is operating again, power is on to most parts of the island, most
phones are working on the west end of the island (Hondutel in Coxen Hole is
operating), supplies are beginning to come in, and the sun is shining.  A
major effort is underway to clean and repair what remains of villages and
neighborhoods and an all out effort has been made to share and take care of
those most desperately in need.  Hundreds of bodies are beginning to float a
shore (assumed from the flooding on the mainland) and this heartbreaking
task is being dealt with, as well.

I have personally responded to over 140 e-mails as a result of these
postings, mostly to people desperate for information about a friend or loved
one and have been able, with the help of my husband, Alex, and of Phil at
the Sunset Inn/Ocean Diver's Resort (http://www.roatanet.com/nitrox), to
supply most of these people with the information they needed.  The value of
contacts we have been able to make through you have been felt around the
world.  Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

My donation fund is growing but money is still desperately needed.  Checks
and money orders should be made out to and mailed to HURRICANE MITCH RELIEF,
P.O. Box 2273, Salem, OR  97308.  All money donated is tax dedutible and
will go DIRECTLY TO THE PEOPLE OF PUNTA GORDA to help rebuild their homes
(over 120 lost to sea).  No management fees or governement pocket liners
will be deducted, instead I personally will hand carry the money to Punta
Gorda assuring us all that EVERY DOLLAR DONATED GETS TO THE PEOPLE WHO NEED
IT MOST.  I have also offered to take money (on November 19) directly to
specific individuals or families if supplied with names and good directions
of how to find them.  In this case, special arrangements can be made either
through the same mailing address or by phone (503-585-8849) or by e-mail
(loretta.miles@mci2000.com).  I currently have enough donations to rebuild
two simple family homes, but with the number of homeless left in the wake of
this monster Mitch, this is but a speck of sand on the beach.  THESE
WONDERFUL PEOPLE NEED US NOW.  They have opened their homes to us, let us
share the beauty of their island, welcomed us with their unique hospitality.
It is time for us to give something back.  This is a plea to everyone
reading this post.  I need your help to rebuild this village.

Thank you, Gert, for allowing me to post again.

Sincerely, Loretta Miles de Martinez
Wife of Captain Alex on The Adventure Girl


-HELP-
Date: Fri, 6 Nov 1998 07:22:46 -0800
From: Carol Bellinger (carolb@midcoinc.com)
Subject: El Progreso Yoro

I am desparately searching for information on our adopted daughter's birth mom
in El Progreso:
Ana Cristina Avila R. & daughter Beatriz
Bo Penjamo #278
Calle Principal
(Cuadra y media de Escuela Ramon Rosa, frente Iglesia de Penjamo)
Please help and God bless.
Carol Bellinger, Spokane, WA - carolb@midcoinc.com


-NEWS-
Date: Fri, 6 Nov 1998 10:22:19 -0500
From: glynch@innet.com
Subject: Utila Relief

Folowing is an email I received from my good friends who own Utila Lodge.
If any of you can help please do so.  Utila is being forgotten somewhat
because the property damage there wasn't so great.  But their food supplies
are dangerously thin. 

>Dear Friends and Family,
>
>It has been a grueling week and a half.  We in Utila consider ourselves lucky
>that we only got the edge of the hurricane.  
>
>I must address the food situation on Utila.  Please know that we are living day
>to day down here right now and the future is iffy.  For the past week, tension
>has been really high due to the insecurity of where a lot of the next meals for
>the locals and their families are going to come from. Up until yesterday the
>shelves in the stores were bare, but thankfully, last night there was a supply
>boat that came into Utila with a pretty good supply of food.  People were
>pushing, shoving, and fighting to get to the food, but I believe that there was
>enough for the people that have money to purchase a little each. Not so lucky
>for the people who have been out of work for the last 2 weeks. Tomorrow, I hear
>a boat is coming from Port of Cortez.  I spoke with the wife of the owner and
>she says that they were also able to find a pretty good supply.  So the
>desperation for food that was here yesterday has been toned down for now. 
>However, we have no way of knowing what the food supply will be like tomorrow
>or next week.  We have spoken to our local food distributors who have informed
>us that their supplies are depleting rapidly, and are uncertain of how they
>will be replenished.  So the concern lies in the days and weeks ahead. 
>
>Considering there are no tourists on the island anymore, workers on Utila are
>limited to jobs they can find day to day, therefore, making it difficult to
>sustain their families.  We are trying to help most of our employees but with
>the  lodge being shut down there is not enough work for everyone, (this of
>course is the same with every tourism based business, along with the rest of
>the businesses in Honduras), but they continue to look to us for food and
>support.  It will take more than several weeks/months (until tourism picks up
>again) for the people on the island to get their money situation back in
>hand. 
>
>
>If after reading this information, you feel that you would like to contribute
>anything to this situation that could help ease the troubled days ahead, it
>will be greatly appreciated by us all. In this case, email me for the address
>of the Utila coordinator.   
>(Clothing is not a necessity for Utila, but are for the mainland and Guanaja.)
>
>Thank you all for the prayers you've sent our way. 
>
>Kisty
>e-mail: ulodger@hondutel.hn
>
>The mayor, Monteray Cardones has released a statement on the subject of food
>for Utila.  Here it is:
>
>This is to notify of our needs on the island and throughout the country.
>We are in need of any help we can get, especially FOOD SUPPLIES.  No doubt in
>the weeks ahead we are to face hard times.  It touches our hearts to hear that
>you all have started a relief effort for our people.
>Seventy five percent of our crops throughout our country have been wiped out,
>on Utila, ninety nine percent is gone.  So any help you can give us will be
>gratefully appreciated.  
>Our harbors and docks are still operational. Central and Local Authorities are
>here to help manifest the goods.
>Sincerely,
>Monterey Cardones
>
>
>Utila Lodge
>Kisty Engel
>Utila, Bay Islands
>Honduras C.A.
>

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