Aftermath of Manuel
by ZihuaRob 
, Zihuatanejo, México, Tuesday, September 17, 2013, 12:38 (4648 days ago)
Acapulco is incomunicado, literally cut off from the outside world, as are Tecpan de Galeana, Coyuca de Benitez and Atoyac de Álvarez. For the tourists who came here from Morelia and El Bajío, the trip home is going to be complicated. At first the road was completely blocked but this morning it was announced that the old road, la libre, to Morelia is the only route back to that region since the bridge at Infiernillo collapsed. They had to remove debris from several landslides to get la libre reopened since it had also been closed. Buses and cars formed an informal camp on the new highway and were awaiting news from the Policía Federal.
In Zihuatanejo lots of trees were downed and many squatter homes on the hillsides collapsed or had their roofs blown off or were washed out because they squatted in arroyos. Lots of locals aren't happy that their predictable predicament was allowed to happen and of course now scarce resources will be spent on them instead of attending to the needs of the rest of the community.
The airport was closed but has apparently reopened, so some tourists are getting home. Frankly, I'm not sure what they were thinking on Friday when they flew and drove by the thousands straight into a tropical storm, though only about 30% of the expected tourists showed up. They were even out during the peak of the storm drunk in the streets, and the following morning and yesterday they were out on the beaches. We even saw some playing in the chocolate-colored water yesterday. Insanity!
We had some electrical problems but thanks to taking precautions our home and 3 of our 4 locales had only minimal flooding, mostly from groundwater seeing up through the floors.
The folks I feel really bad for are the ones completely cut off from civilization up in the sierra. It will be days if not weeks getting help to some of them. Lots of other folks living near rivers had their homes completely flooded with over a meter of fast-moving water, and they also lost everything.
This is a major wake-up call to start doing things "right", like Pauline was for Acapulco over a decade ago, but folks here seem to have short memories, especially the "responsible authorities" and the land thieves. Let's see what actions our "Gobierno Diferente" takes.
It's going to be a least a couple of weeks until our bay and most of the Pacific Coast from Sinaloa to Chiapas returns to swimmable conditions, though I suspect some surfers will still be out dodging tree trunks anywhere they can catch a wave! 
MAJOR KUDOS to la Comisión Federal de Electricidad! The night of the worst part of the storm they managed to restore electricity to downtown Zihuatanejo in only a few hours, though it went out again the next day for a longer period due to flooding at their various installations.
And MAJOR KUDOS also to Protección Civil, Cruz Roja, el Ejército and los Marinos and others including the municipal street and beach cleaners who worked throughout to keep people safe and clear fallen trees and debris and who had our roads transitable in a relatively short time. Lots of really good folks worked hard to help others, and I really can't say enough for them.
¡Viva México! 
Sunday morning locals were out inspecting damage and cleaning up while tourists looked for someplace to have breakfast.
![[image]](http://www.zihuatanejo.net/images/huracanmanuel/2013-09-15-playafrontofmuseum.jpg)
![[image]](http://www.zihuatanejo.net/images/huracanmanuel/2013-09-15-tourists-breakfastonbeach.jpg)
Sunday morning La Boquita Canal was a raging torrent!
![[image]](http://www.zihuatanejo.net/images/huracanmanuel/2013-09-15-laboquitacanal.jpg)
In Ixtapa on Sunday the crews were quick to clear the roads and remove fallen trees. A huge parota in front of Fonatur, one of my favorites, didn't make it.
![[image]](http://www.zihuatanejo.net/images/huracanmanuel/2013-09-15-parota-fonatur.jpg)
Here's what it used to look like.
![[image]](http://www.zihuatanejo.net/images/temp/2013-05-26-parota-fonatur.jpg)
And this is what Playa Principal looked like this morning.
![[image]](http://www.zihuatanejo.net/images/huracanmanuel/2013-09-17-bulldozercleaningbeach.jpg)
![[image]](http://www.zihuatanejo.net/images/huracanmanuel/2013-09-17-playaprincipal-bulldozer.jpg)
Aftermath of Manuel
by Paulf , Mount Sterling, Ky 40353, Tuesday, September 17, 2013, 12:55 (4648 days ago) @ ZihuaRob
Thanks Rob. I was watching the Weather Channel yesterday morning when it was mentioned how bad the storms were- they seamed more concerned about the Eastern side of Mex. I have ridden out hurricanes in Miss. and typhoons in Taiwan. None are fun and the clean up afterwards.
Aftermath of Manuel - a few more details
by ZihuaRob , Zihuatanejo, México, Tuesday, September 17, 2013, 14:11 (4648 days ago) @ Paulf
It's been since 1958 when Mexico last saw such storms concurrently on both coasts. The winds were certainly bad, but the heavy rains did the most damage.
I forgot to mention that there were several boats lost, and I'm not sure of their fate. Yellowfin is one that sank. Some pangas were smashed against the rocks of El Almacén, others are simply missing from their moorings and I have no idea what happened to them. Before I could ask around this morning out on the pier it started raining again and Lupita and I didn't waste any time getting back home.
At last count in the municipio of Zihuatanejo de Azueta over 3,000 homes and over 13,000 people were affected from over 600 trees downed, many in Barrio Viejo and Vallecitos de Zaragoza.
I believe folks can still get as far as Petatlán heading south, but after that there are places where roads and bridges are washed out and I'm not sure how far folks can get. The road damage will apparently take quite a while to repair and get transportation back to normal. It's kind of like Zihuatanejo back in the old days when we were basically the end of the road, except back then it was coming from Acapulco, now it's from the other direction.
There are still some tourists in town making the best of it.
Obviously there was no parade for Día de la Independencia on Monday morning. My wife says she doesn't recall the parade ever being cancelled before.
Aftermath of Manuel
by Emmet , Seattle WA, Tuesday, September 17, 2013, 14:09 (4648 days ago) @ ZihuaRob
Thanks for the post and the pictures Rob!
One more storm Pic from FB
Thank you Rob,
It's been a trying time for everyone in the region I'm sure. Starting to see some amazing pictures roll through my Facebook..here's one posted yesterday that shows people's amazing spirit and resilience.
The caption with it read:
"En su informe de gobierno el Sr erick anunció la privatización de la cancha municipal a alberca olímpica......"
We are informed by the Governor that the municipal square has been privatized to an Olympic swimming pool...
![[image]](http://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/1231243_573003559427384_878453086_n.jpg)
One more storm Pic from FB
by cd69 , Winnipeg,MB,Canada, Tuesday, September 17, 2013, 18:28 (4648 days ago) @ Harry
Wow! I have seen the aftermath of a couple of bad storms that hit Zihua in the early 80's and one in 1990 or 1991 and it was bad but this one seems the worst I have seen for a storm. I have never the basketball court so flooded ever. And yes, some of the pics on Facebook are striking...I was hoping one of the positive to come out of this storm would be a good reserve of fresh water as I assume the reserves were low with so little rain earlier and for a long time but from Rob report it doesn't look good.
Aftermath of Manuel
by suztamasopo , Tuesday, September 17, 2013, 14:19 (4648 days ago) @ ZihuaRob
Thank you so much for the photos and information. My heart goes out to the many who have suffered.
Please keep us posted on the Zihua to Morelia situation as we had planned to
travel that route in the near future.
Donate to Zihua Red Cross
![[image]](https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc3/995894_542657719137090_1415335992_n.jpg)
Aftermath of Manuel
Hey, Rob. What about the good water situation. I know that Zihua is always short on water so what is happening at this stage? With all the mud slides are the water pipes holding up?
Aftermath of Manuel - oh, and the best part!
by ZihuaRob , Zihuatanejo, México, Tuesday, September 17, 2013, 17:07 (4648 days ago) @ LadyM in Zihua
Hey, Rob. What about the good water situation. I know that Zihua is always short on water so what is happening at this stage? With all the mud slides are the water pipes holding up?
Oh HOW could I have forgotten to mention the best part?! There is NO water for anyone. You know how they put wells in the middle of creek beds? Well, turns out that isn't a good place after all. Two other main wells were already polluted by petrolem products (of course the persons reponsible will never be held accountable). So with several key wells gone and some other problem I don't have details on, word is there will be no city water. No, I don't know when it will be fixed.
There soon won't be any gasoline either.
Gasolina
by ZihuaRob , Zihuatanejo, México, Tuesday, September 17, 2013, 18:07 (4648 days ago) @ ZihuaRob
Okay, the owner of the Pemex station where I just gassed up said that gasoline IS getting through. Oh, well, now I have enough for a couple of months.
Aftermath of Manuel - oh, and the best part!
by Gringo Viejo , Kansas/Zihuatanejo, Wednesday, September 18, 2013, 09:18 (4647 days ago) @ ZihuaRob
Just Another Day in Paradise! Now seriously, I truly feelsorry for all affected by disasters like this all over the world but more so for Z as I do have friends there. But, hopefully, this will be as GrandMa used to say, "This, tto, will pass".
Is the Cruz Roja the best place to make donations? How can we do do it from North America?
--
Harriet
http://www.viewcondozihua.com/
donations
by Linda from Canada , Zihua and Grand Marais, Manitoba, Tuesday, September 17, 2013, 17:04 (4648 days ago) @ Harriet
Friends tried to go to their property at Loma Bonita this morning- couldn't even get to Petatlan- road completely washed out.
still no cell or internet at La Ropa.
Thoughts and prayers to all affected- and we thought it was "only water"!
--
Linda from Canada
check out my books at www.livingthedreaminmexico.com AND please have a look at www.cookingwithclaudiainzihuatanejo.blogspot.com as well as www.albertoinzihuatanejo.blogspot.com
donations
by ZihuaRob , Zihuatanejo, México, Tuesday, September 17, 2013, 18:22 (4648 days ago) @ Harriet
Is the Cruz Roja the best place to make donations? How can we do do it from North America?
Yes, I like our Cruz Roja for getting help to folks who need it when they need it. You can make donations to them via the info I posted a while back on this subject on the page linked below.
Donating to the Cruz Roja Mexicana en Zihuatanejo
(That Forum Search feature in the upper right-hand corner of the page sure is handy!)
donations-PayPal link
by Timmac , Steilacoom, WA, Tuesday, September 17, 2013, 19:59 (4648 days ago) @ ZihuaRob
The PayPal link doesn't seem to work. If you have the time to double check it, I'd be happy to send a few $$.
donations-PayPal link
by ZihuaRob , Zihuatanejo, México, Tuesday, September 17, 2013, 21:39 (4647 days ago) @ Timmac
The PayPal link doesn't seem to work. If you have the time to double check it, I'd be happy to send a few $$.
Yes, I see. It was working earlier today. I checked it several times. Both their Spanish & English versions. I'll try to find out what happened. Maybe it's just a glitch. Thanks for the heads up!
donations-PayPal link - update
by ZihuaRob , Zihuatanejo, México, Wednesday, September 18, 2013, 11:31 (4647 days ago) @ ZihuaRob
I believe I've fixed the link. Please let me know if you still encounter any difficulties. AND THANK YOU FOR CARING!
donations-PayPal link - update
by larry , Tucson AZ, Wednesday, September 18, 2013, 14:03 (4647 days ago) @ ZihuaRob
It works but it's only in pesos, no way to give dollars....so now that I gave them $1.98 in US dollars I'm going back to give them a few more pesos....
donations-PayPal link - update
by Madrina , Thursday, September 19, 2013, 07:13 (4646 days ago) @ larry
So glad you pointed that out Larry. This is a really easy way to feel like we are doing something besides just watching the updates.
Aftermath of Manuel
Thanks Rob for all the info. Sending good thoughts to all.
Aftermath of Manuel
by Zmon01 , Tuesday, September 17, 2013, 21:48 (4647 days ago) @ judi in OKlahoma
Why not send money? Instead of thoughts?
If you don't want to send money, at least send me your salsa verde recipe from a week ago?
Aftermath of Manuel
You know, I have always prided myself in being a woman of my word. Ugh. It's not in my puter anymore. Will have to type out. It is long. Been busy, busy. I will get 'er done! Possibly in time for next year's crop
As for the other...you have no idea 
Aftermath of Manuel
by cd69 , Winnipeg,MB,Canada, Tuesday, September 17, 2013, 18:24 (4648 days ago) @ ZihuaRob
Thank you Rob for posting these and giving us a report on the situation...I'm glad to hear you didn't suffer any serious damage. I can only imagine the amount of work needed now to repair and fix all the issues created by the storms. Good luck to you all!
Aftermath of Manuel
Thanks for the stunning photographs, Rob, and for the detailed updates. Hope things get back to normal soon.
Crocs in Acapulco Streets After Flood
This is sad too.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10202011198424616&set=vb.106228682742016&type=2&theater
This is a video on FB.
Caption with it: Atrapan cocodrilo en calles de #Acapulco
Un cocodrilo se escapo de la Laguna de Puerto Marquez, salio a buscar comida
A trapped crocodile on the streets of Acapulco. One that left the Puerto Marquez Lagoon (reserve) looking for food.
![[image]](https://scontent-b-sea.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/8295_626609160703963_570489708_n.jpg)
Acapulco was hit very hard...
Aftermath of Manuel - Playa La Ropa
Por favor, ¿cómo quedó playa la ropa? ¿Acaso salió alguno de los hoteles o restaurantes ileso? Gracias. EP
Aftermath of Manuel - Playa La Ropa
by ZihuaRob , Zihuatanejo, México, Wednesday, September 18, 2013, 20:56 (4646 days ago) @ El Pescadero
Por favor, ¿cómo quedó playa la ropa? ¿Acaso salió alguno de los hoteles o restaurantes ileso? Gracias. EP
Parece que Rossy's, El Manglar, La Gaviota y Casa del Mar fueron dañados, y quizás otros donde salió un fuerte corriente por el estero y unos arroyos. Todos hemos sufrido por lo menos unos pocos daños por el viento y el agua.
Aftermath of Manuel - Playa La Ropa
Le agradezco la informacion - pues pensabamos ir el primero de octubre - veremos . . . . Sentimos mucho el sufrimiento de los que perdieron parientes, amigos, casa . . . . EP
Aftermath of Manuel - Playa La Ropa
by ZihuaRob , Zihuatanejo, México, Thursday, September 19, 2013, 11:32 (4646 days ago) @ El Pescadero
Le agradezco la informacion - pues pensabamos ir el primero de octubre - veremos . . . . Sentimos mucho el sufrimiento de los que perdieron parientes, amigos, casa . . . . EP
Seguramente por entonces se habrá limpiado y reparado mucho de lo que fue dañado. Los cerros que nos rodean nos salvaron de muchos de los estragos sufridos en casi todo el resto del estado. Los daños en La Ropa son principalmente por el agua. Mi amigo Francisco del restaurante La Perla puso unas fotos en su página Face y parece bien su restaurante pero se ve donde el corriente de agua del estero llevó mucha arena en la parte sur de la playa.
La pregunta más grande es sobre el suministro de agua potable. No hay por el momento. Sólo por pipas.
Aftermath of Manuel
Rob,
Thank you so much for the complete report. We can always trust to get an accurate depiction of events or activities from your messages. It breaks our hearts to see our beloved region so impacted. How did Barra de Potosi fair? Beach erosion there has been terrible from the last few large storms. Vaya con Dios!
Pete & Wendy
Aftermath of Manuel
by 1dawgfan , SEATTLE, Thursday, September 19, 2013, 09:55 (4646 days ago) @ Pete and Wendy
Wow ! what a mess sorry for you guys down there ..
Aftermath of Manuel - a video of Guerrero
by ZihuaRob , Zihuatanejo, México, Thursday, September 19, 2013, 13:06 (4646 days ago) @ ZihuaRob
This shows some of the damage across the state of Guerrero. Enlarge it to full-screen size to appreciate it.
Aftermath of Manuel - a video of Guerrero
by superzanka , Thursday, September 19, 2013, 15:20 (4646 days ago) @ ZihuaRob
We sure did have lots of water for way too long than I wanted or need it. Now our "INCAPAZ" will blame too much water for not having water. I think we are okay with the exeption of a few land grabbers maggots who now have to go fish for their few 2X4's in the bay but other than that we are okay.
We had this type of storm and large rains back in the late 60's , by my mothers accounts. She has a saying, "Mas se perdio en Nuxco". this Town of Nuxco is located between Zihuatanejo and Acapulco by San Luis La Loma, was completelly washed out residents and live stock back on those days and were very few survivors.
