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[gematriot]

http://www.euronews.net/2010/02/21/madeira-reels-after-deadly-downpour/

Hi everyone. Madeira Island, where I live has been hit with the worst storm in living memory. I´m probably going to "vanish from the ether" for about a week. We have 0 phone service, 0 land line internet service, limited TV and Radio etc... I´m sending this from a GPRS WiFi dongle, with the help of a friend.
As I send this, military support is arriving from the mainland: Army engineers to build bridges, 200 phone technicians etc, etc... Its gonna be a "fun" week...
And.. our Regional Governor just came on TV saying it "would have been much worse except for my leadership"

See you guys soon...

[Canuk]

good luck

[JimH]

Gematriot,
All the Best to you and ypurs.

[gematriot]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bL8aJY-cDIk&NR=1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-DVWuOCeg4I&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YEatSh_DJ2I&feature=related
While things are not back to normal, some areas already have television and internet (no phone service yet). Colossal amounts of debris have been removed, through the action of Government agencies, with the help of most private construction companies.
The capital has 90% electricity restored but will not be “open for business” till at least Tuesday. Most areas which had been completely isolated for more than 24 hours have now been contacted.
However thus far the disaster has resulted in 42 dead, 101 injured, 4 disappeared.

[Brian S]

Good luck out there.

As an aside, and this is genuine.... within 3 hours of me booking a famiy holiday there this news broke.  Lucky lucky me.

[Joe Hubbard]

Hi Jon

Hope you are safe.  This tragedy is truly a shame- Madeira is such a lovely place.

Joe

[gematriot]

Hi again.
Thanks for the best wishes…
A quick update…
Funchal, the capital has its electricity restored at virtually 100 %. Schools will remain closed at least until Wednesday. The majority of temporary homeless are being sheltered in our central Army Barracks, while lodging is being secured. At this moment 254 individuals (30 families) have lost everything. No official statement has been given on the monetary extent of the damage.
Outside Funchal: One school had to be evacuated when it was discovered that the foundations had been damaged. Ponta do Sol, where I live has no water until at least Friday.
Regarding aid: Madeirans have thus far contributed enough supplies that basic necessities have been met. The Geronimo Martins Group, owner of a Portuguese supermarket chain has committed to offering 1 million Euros in aid. A contingent of German firefighters has arrived to help with reconstruction. Brussels has established a line of credit to get small businesses back on their feet. The Madeiran community in South Africa has collected a transport container of supplies, which will be on its way soon.
While Meteorology assures us that it will rain the rest of the week,  the worst is probably over. Ahead lies much reconstruction.

[arnold]

stay safe

[whitewolf]

wish you the best- ww (Richard)

[gematriot]

Hi again...
Thinks are slowly getting back on track.
Our Regional Government has announced that reconstrction will take about 2 years; and have a cost in excess of 100 million euros.
I spent much of my free time this week collecting and distributing food and clothes.

[Canuk]

Good on ya!