Dear Boquete Weather Watchers:

Several persons have asked about the status of the current weather and the reconstruction progress so I will address these in this update.

The large weather system that was north of us and driving the recent flooding has gone away. We still have the ITCZ right over us with lower pressures in our ares, but a large high pressure system has developed over the Caribbean and the western Atlantic that will probably kick up the NE Trade Winds and help keep the moist weather south of us under control. Here is the current infrared satellite image:

Because of the flood the November 28 celebrations were cancelled by the city officials and there will be no Flower and Coffee Festival in January of 2009. This is in the best interest of the safety of the community and the many visitors that usually attend the fair. Also, the damage at the Fair Grounds makes it near impossible to get things ready in time.

Heavy equipment has been brought in to work on road repair. This work is not without danger. Mark Heyer sent the following photos yesterday that show an accident that occurred bringing in heavy equipment near the shattered remains of the Panamonte Bridge. Hopefully no one was hurt.

Today Mark Heyer sent the following photos of the fills taking place in the road in front of the seriously damaged Ladera Hotel and the previous Panamonte Bridge area. He talked with James Wilson, the contractor, and was told that they hope to have the road serviceable by Saturday evening or Sunday at the latest.

Juan Anthony Villegas sent this photo yesterday showing some of the heavy equipment and the immensity of the work.

If any others have photos of the work underway and want to share them with the community, email them to me and I will develop a page of photos devoted to the restoration process.

It is heartening to see this work moving forward, but I have some concerns that things not be done to hastily. It is important to stop and engineer all of this carefully so that it is done right and endures. The flow of rivers can be contained, but it takes lots of careful planning, engineering and correct materials. It is one thing to get roads patched and basically working again, but it is quite another to fix things in a manner that will withstand future floods. Hopefully those in charge will think seriously about this. It will only be a matter of time before Boquete has another flood.

There is an old chinese saying that aptly says, "Why is there never time to do it right, but there is always time to do it over!" This is very very true. I am hoping that it will be done right this time so we don't have to do it over again.

Lloyd Cripe

lcripe@boqueteweather.com