Thursday, February 19, 2009

Current Conditions and Updates

Current conditions are wind and swirling ash, temps dropping considerably. City officials report that there will be no interruption of drinking water and that the water is safe to drink (the new water system installed after the May 08 erruption is from a deep water well).

The border to Argentina is open and vehicles are allowed to travel out of Chile into Argentina without the mandatory Argentine Seguro. No vehicles, except those carrying verified Futa residents will be allowed in. Obviously no flights into, or out of the Futa airport. Periodic white-out conditions occur making travel difficult. The hospital is handing out masks (once again) and city officials are urging calm.

Tonights forecast is for temps in the 30's, with a "feels-like" temperature of 20F. Some wind and a possibility of rain and intermittent snow tomorrow.

This information was gathered from the Futa website, and accuweather. I have not verified the border crossing info in person.

Mitch Sasser from H2O rafting/kayaking company reports on another blog that the Kayaking events and festivities are on for the weekend.

4 comments:

Clau said...

Hello Vicky
I suppose you speak spanish since it appears you've been there for quite a long time.
I spent a week between Futa, Palena and Chaitén, sharing some activities with the priest,last January
I'm gathering some info about the current Futa situation and your site is the only one that actually says something about it.
Everybody else is talking about Chaitén, but Futa and the whole neighbourhood are having bad times and there's many people living there.
Please keep us updated
thanks a lot

Anonymous said...

It's good to know about the water and the deep well system in place for people now. It's cold there, i had no idea it was already dropping to those temps. Your posts are great.

Anonymous said...

It's good to know about the water and the deep well system in place for people now. It's cold there, i had no idea it was already dropping to those temps. Your posts are great.

Vicki said...

Clau, kindergarten and kitchen Spanish is what I speak at best, I'm ashamed to say. Futa was actually booming, the town was looking good, still dealing with swirling ash, but making progress. This was a light ash fall, but who knows what tomorrow, or next week or month will bring. People are generally taking it in stride (today, that is). Right now, with water, and electric and internet on, it's been a minor inconvenience along with the Twilight Zone feelings.