Bacalar, Mexico - August 2007
Elaine Hunter - co ordinator, Relief Bacalar

Hi Everyone,
I thought I’d give you a quick update after Hurricane Dean. Please share this with any other family or friends you know may be concerned about our safety.
Bacalar took the brunt of the Category 5 hurricane early Tues. morning (1-7 a.m. was the most dramatic). It was a long night but our town survived 180 mile an hour winds and gusts somewhere around 200 mph. We lost no lives in any of the communities nearby and there was only 1 death related to the storm in Southern Quintana Roo.
We feel very fortunate to have a house, food and drinking water. Our town is devastated, there are 1,000 families without homes, and we are all pitching in to do what we can for our community of 10,000. In the surrounding towns there are many, many homeless people due to the lightweight construction of their houses - most had lamina or grass roofs and stick type walls (palapas). The beach town of Majahual was wiped out due to ocean tides, am waiting for reports from the beach area of Xcalack.
The Mexican govt. is wonderfully responsive in these situations. Although we may not have power for another 5 days, they are already rebuilding houses, bringing food and water to the neighborhoods, we have every bit of support they have at their disposal.

Well folks, there you have it. It was a WILD RIDE…..
Hugs,

This was a message from our friend in Bacalar, but she is also asking us to send clothing, blankets etc and MONEY to help re build. Many of the people do not have our advantages, help if you can please. thanks.

You can send money directly to Bacalar, send me an e mail and I can let you have the email address in Bacalar to send the money to via paypal…..also we have an address to send clothing and blankets etc
The area was hit very hard . 1000 homes were flattened.
PLEASE HELP

mselainehunter@yahoo.ca

Elaine Hunter