Just heard from Independence. Evidently their has been some major damage. Unfortunately we lost the entire roof structure off our house. The water tower is reported as still standing and the BTL communication tower is still up and apparently in working order. As far as can be seen in the dark, Cardies Hotel and Restaurant is okay. The following families are reported as okay. The Gertrude Mena family and the Otilio Ramos family, the Charles McCoon family. Evidently MNM Hardware and the gas station are still there.
No report yet from down at Big Creek Port.

Nothing to report from Placencia and some loss of life down at the Big Creek Port was also reported to us.


[This message has been edited by kcbc (edited 10-09-2001).]

kcbc.... Keep any info coming. We have friends in Placencia, Sittee and Dangriga.
Thanks.

Love Fm is broadcasting damage reports at this time.
Short recap
Monkey River- severage damage with no loss of life. Apparently most homes destroyed with only the community center and health clinic standing. Only injury reported so far is someone with some broken fingers.
STann Creek up by Dangriga is reported slight damange. Power lines down in the Silk Grass area. Hopkins had some water surge and two resturants are damaged but no injuries or loss of life.
Independence- Football stadium destroyed, high school roof is gone, plus Hotel Hello lost its roof. Several homes being reported as destroyed and many homes missing roofs. Does appear that there has been some boating accident at the Big Creek Dock which has resulted in the loss of life. Last report was that 6 bodies had been recovered and 11 are still missing.
News from Placencia--- Love fm reporting that 95% of buildings are destroyed.
My feelings on this is as far as I know they had a mandatory evacutation. Most of these people would be in Indepedence, at least that is what happened in the Mitch Evacuation. The shelters in town are the high school (which lost its roof) and the primary school. My conculsion is that Placencia has taken a beating. Not sure of sea conditions but our boat was reported as undamaged as was our vehicle. Its going to take the people in Independence some time to try to limit their damages and do some post hurricane activity. Sure that sooner or later some of the guys will launch their skiffs and head over to Placencia and then file a report. Suspect that we are going to get some very bad news. Our village council is headed by Tony Zabaneh who owns the Hotel Hello and whose house is right next to the Stadium. Its going to take the people of Independence some time to get there stuff together. I am also going to guess that any tourist there will be removed from this area as soon as the road is deemed safe. Our village really has no facilites to support anyone let alone people from Placencia nor tourist. AT one time we did have an airport landing facility but it has not been used by Maya or Tropic in years, but this could possibly be used to remove tourist from the area.

Even under excellent condtions things in Belize move slowly, so I know that everyone is anxious but just have to sit and wait.


Supposedly we are going to get a call this morning at 10:am est. and will have some more information.

Any new information on Independence? What's the best way to get goods & aid to the citizens?

[This message has been edited by serphronia (edited 10-10-2001).]