Living at Lake Chapala in Mexico

Five short days ago, in the very early hours of the morning, a huge chunk of the mountain above the village of San Juan Cosalá gave way and abruptly changed the lives of thousands of people. The path of devastation was wide, and the fact that there has yet to be a confirmed death is a true miracle.

The quantity of rock, debris and mud which careened down the hill is staggering. Reaction to this catastrophe was incredible. Emergency and relief teams composed of Mexican army, civil defense, firemen, police, doctors and volunteers arrived quickly. Many have worked non-stop...and many are continuing to work as you read this. This quick response saved the lives of many area residents.

Order, for the most part, has returned to San Juan Cosalá. Most of the mud and debris has now been removed. There still is a need for food and amenities, but the time has come to repair the devastated homes and return each family to continue their lives, if not as before the calamity, at least to be able to get back to the business of life.

This process is about to begin. However, up the hill, in the area we know as The Raquet Club, the same cannot be said. The power that was unleashed when the mountain side collapsed is unbelievable.

We also have our photos of the Racquet Club ready to be viewed. The link is http://picasaweb.google.com/littlejazzjr/PeterJaymeRacquetClubPhotos

Damage is worse in the upper areas. On the eastern edge, rocks and boulders that poured out of one of the arroyos have buried one house, destroyed another completely and surrounded many more. A few days ago there was deep valley with a pristine garden and a quiet stream in that area. Now there lies an expanse of rock more than forty feet wide and hundreds of feet long.

Just south of this mas, the ravine that has been cut by the flow of water is more than ten feet deep. On the western side, mammoth boulders careened down from the mountain. As they made their descent toward the lake, what they encountered, they removed...walls of houses, huge trees. One car was driven through the wall of a house. The mud lines on the walls of some of these houses are higher than eight feet.

Away from the path of the debris, houses stand untouched...flowers still sway in gentle breezes. It is ironic. Two of these mammoth boulders stand near the bottom of this street as silent sentinels to the devastation. Both measure over six feet in diameter.

There are stories of heroism...and despite the devastation, the mood is positive. Sunday, only five days from the disaster, residents of the Raquet Club had their first general meeting. Representatives were there from local law enforcement, police and the mayor's office.

The reports were positive. Several days ago a route into the Raquet Club was opened. Though the main entrance road is still blocked, equipment which has been addressing the problems in San Juan Cosalá for the past days will begin to open the main entrance road Monday.

Due to debris, rock and mud, the access to many homes is still difficult with vehicles. This is a potentially dangerous situation as many are still unable to get out of their homes should they need emergency medical attention.

Backhoes are urgently needed to clear entrances and move away sizable quantities of rock to make this possible. IF ANYONE CAN PROVIDE BACKHOES TO HELP IN THIS NEED, PLEASE CONTACT US USING THE EMAIL ADDRESS AT THE END OF THIS EMAIL.

Thankfully, electricity has been restored to most homes. The CFE has worked tirelessly since the day of the storm. Phone service has been severely disrupted. Most of those who live south of the east/west street Rafael Asuna now have phone and internet service, however north of this street, they do not. This as well is potentially dangerous in the event of a medical emergency.

Residents have been encouraged to have a plan in place should they need to deal with an emergency situation.

The water system is still not functioning. Though the well escaped significant damage, the state of the primary pump is unknown. Water lines have been fractured by rock and erosion. The secondary pumping station used to bring water to the upper levels is gone. It will take a month or more to restore water service to the area.

For five days many have had to deal with mud, water, debris and stress. If you can help, please do so. The office will reopen tomorrow. Phone lines are out, but a cell phone is being purchased for the office. If residents wish to offer help, or have questions or concerns there will be staff on duty.

This report late Sunday night was followed by an update from Peter on Monday morning:

Electricity has been restored to all areas in the Raquet Club, and as of now, a way has been opened as far as 19 Bjorn Borg.

That area however does not have water or telephone. Estimates are that water will take probably a month to reenstate.

Phone will probably be restored sooner. Rock is being cleared from the principal entry today. As well now that the problems in San Juan Cosala are managed, the removal of rock and reparations of streets will happen quickly.

There is another Racquet Club meeting scheduled for next weekend at noon...with luck at the clubhouse. Any information regarding what is happening in the reconstruction will be available there, and you can leave requests with the office.

A Critical Incident psychotherapist has volunteered to work with residents who feel affected by this traumatic experience. Please email helpsanjuancosala@gmail.com to contact her to deal with the common reactions of fear and shock. All inquiries will be held in confidence.

We also have our photos of the Racquet Club ready to be viewed. The link is http://picasaweb.google.com/littlejazzjr/PeterJaymeRacquetClubPhotos

Folks needing help or wanting to help can contact: helpsanjuancosala@gmail.com
To those of you who gave up your Saturday to help canvas the Racquet Club, our heartfelt thanks!

Take Care of yourselves,

Peter and Jaymee

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Judy King is publisher of  Mexico Insights' Living at Lake Chapala, a monthly online magazine for people interested in Mexico's Lake Chapala region, in the state of Jalisco.

Judy, a 16-year resident of Ajijic on Lake Chapala's north shore, conducts weekly newcomer's seminars, shares her expertise about Mexico in her monthly online magazine, and in the "Mexico Lindo" column for the Lake Chapala Review.

Judy also is a speaker for local organizations and visiting tour groups about the Lakeside area and Mexican customs and holidays.