Chile Forum

xxx

We have been talking to our friends and clients in the area all afternoon trying to determine where, what, how, and so on needs to be done and how we can help. We are considering posting a pay pal button on the forum to take donations. I just got off the phone with Mitch Sasser from Aguas Libres. Mitch has offered to make the Aguas libres accounts available for donations and helping with the distribution process. Again, this is all very early, and we are trying to work out the logistics.

We have word from a rancher friend in the Campo, that is rather known as the master (kind of guy other ranchers go to for advice) in Futa. We are told that they will be needing at least some supplemental food for the animals. Remember that this is the start of the winter down there.

Another big issue at hand is the water situation. Many of the people in the campo do not have wells. What they have is water collection tanks, and the water comes from glacier fed creeks. So, many of their water supplies are either contaminated or will be once the rain starts and all the ash starts getting washed down the mountains. We hear that rain might happen around Sunday.

The big logistical hurdle right now is that the only way to get stuff in to Futa is through Argentina. Even if money was on hand, the shipping is the issue.

Normally, all shipments go through Chaiten by ferry on truck. Chaiten is completely cut off right now and limited evacuations are underway. The navy has ships on the way.

That said, something might be worked out through Argentina.

xxx

by the way, if you want to know more about Aguas Libres:
http://www.aguaslibres.org/about/

Found this quote on the AP wire:

The Chaiten volcano has "probably been dormant for about 9,000 or 10,000 years but that's not unusual," said Charles Stern, a professor of volcanology at the University of Colorado, who specializes in Andes volcanoes.

Stern, who has studied Chaiten specifically, said it is still considered "a potentially active volcano."

Chaiten last had "an explosive eruption that generated a very big ash cloud," he added. "I would really worry about the village of Chaiten. I think they would want to get everybody out of there really soon."

10:45 pm. HUGE rumble and shake here in Futa. I don't know if its a new eruption, or not.

Vicki

Vicky, thank you for posting your reports.
Please stay safe.

Thanks So-Cal. I think we are pretty safe, the people that is. For animals, I think the situation is quite dire. But that is also being assessed. I think it's the biggest issue of all. I have been reading this site:

http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/ash/agric/ind ... #livestock

It describes the problems livestock have with even 1 mm of volacnic ash, and we have more than an inch, Chaiten even more than that.

The other issues are something that didn't occur to me this morning. Chaiten is Futa's life line. Our supplies, gas, food, money, and services all comes from Chaiten. It is now essentially a ghost town, and the road from there to here is not passable. Of course we are very close to Argentina, but gas, animal food, money and many products such as dairy, meat, and veggies cannot come across.

The ATM was not working for me today, and I had just paid the stone mason yesterday, so we have no cash. Luckily, Futa is a small town and I was able to get milk, food and "spirits" on credit.

Suffice to say, our electric for our new home will not be hooked up anytime soon! So we will ride this out, pitch in where we can to help out, and consider this one of the wildest adventures we never planned on!

Until next time...

Vicki and Greg

I keep checking the forum for any new news about what is happening in Futa since none of the major news stations in the States has anything about it. I was surprised this morning that my server had it on their front welcome page, but no updates.
Vicki was keeping me up to date most of yesterday about their situation, but hasn't been on yet today
Hope all is ok with everyone in that area.

just talked to her on the phone. Everyone seems to be doing o.k.

We have received word that Chaiten has been fully evacuated / everyone left, accept for about 30 people that are keeping the lights on.