Rio Jama back in Bounds --- 06 - Mar - 2012 - photo copyright L. Brunetti
Manabi Ecuador’s farming belt area continues to suffer from flooding, as the canton of Chone and neighboring areas battle what some say is the worst flooding in 40 years. At least 90% of the urban areas of Chone are flooded and remain under red alert, according to El Diario newspaper. Submerged fields of rice and cotton are invisible while taller crops of corn and plantains poke their heads above the waters. El Universo (Guayaquil) reports 30,000 hectares under water and over 2,800 people evacuated.
Near Chone Ecuador - Feb. 28, 2012
Flooding Near Charapoto, Ecuador Feb 28 - 2012
This morning I spoke with my friend Cesar Cevallos to confirm tour details before leaving Canoa with the group of 20. Cesar calmly said, “Lisa. Jama flooded early this morning.” He summarized how rain upriver had caused Rio Jama to jump out of its banks, but the waters had receded and all was fine for the tour. He added, “I drove to your house and everything is o.k.” The tour went well, the skies are quiet, and hopefully the rest of the week will be rain free!
More photos tomorrow if technical difficulties are resolved!
Z
Between Rocafuerte and Portoviejo - Manabi - Ecuador
Rio Jama as waters recede. March 6, 2012
San Clemente was hard hit Sunday night as another storm came through dropping over six inches of water again in a three day period. Quite a few homes were flooded along with one of the main roads that leads to Palmazul and punta point. Heavy contruction machinery was brought in to dig trenches leading to the beach and ocean to try and drain water out of the village. If you weren’t having to walk through 8 inches of standing water , you struggling to walk through a foot of mud. Locals here say that this rainy season has broken all records of rain fall. Sorry, no pictures…hadn’t realized what had occurred until we “slid” down off the hill where we live. We had some water in our apartment, but nothing that couldn’t be handled by our wet vac, plus our patio had flooded out , drained and left 2 inches of mud…again a easy clean up compared to others here in our village.
We’re still thinking of heading up to Jama this week but have concerns of flooding / mud slides on the roads north of San Vincente. Our friends Bob and Glenda from N Carolina have lost the contat info of their friends in Jama. As soon as I get their names , I’ll pop off an email to see if you know them. Its a couple , I believe in their 60s and are involved in music. Stringed instruments, I believe.
Stay safe, stay dry …luego,
Mary
Good Morning! Thanks so much for the details from your area. Rains resumed around 2 this morning, and the dawn drizzles have increased in intensity. I’ve been gawking at the river since dawn as powerful eddies gobble random sections of the riverbank at low ebb. (After bolting to identify a mystery sound from last night, I stared with mouth agape and watched a big out-of-control whirlpool careen onto the mudflats and churn for ten or fifteen seconds before retreating. Sounding more like big schools of fish in feeding frenzies, these random swirls of motion are capturing my attention.)
Your friends’ friends might be Leroy and Shirley, who bought a home from one of my friends. I’ve only met them once, though they seem like a lovely couple. If so, it will be easy to connect all of you. (Late yesterday afternoon, the highway between Canoa and Jama was normal. A Coactur bus driver could give you a road update.)
Stay dry!
Z
I can so relate after going through our 100 year flood last summer and having 6 1/2 feet of water in my downstairs den and kitchen. The mud remaining was 3″ deep and really hard to get out of the house. Stay dry over there!
Each spring I think of all of you along the lower Mississippi River and hope that you are spared. Maybe this year will be kind to you.Thanks, as always, for sharing your experiences.
At ten thirty this morning, the skies are clearing with the promise of a beautiful day.
Ahem, madam author, do you have a blog? If not, you should!
Z
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