| Wayne Franklin
Tropicasa
Realty
October 31, 2002 Dear Friends: We
are so moved by the outpouring of emotion and concern for our well-being after
hurricane Kenna and wish to thank you all so much. However, I was a bit surprised
at some of the comments that I was receiving by many of you about what some news
agencies are reporting. Therefore, in response to some of the exaggerated news
coverage that apparently has been reported in the States about the state of condition
of Puerto Vallarta after the hurricane, I am writing you all this letter to clarify
a few details. 1. Puerto Vallarta sustained
damage along a stretch of beachfront between the Malecon and the Hotel Zone. These
areas were mostly affected due to the trajectory of the hurricane (in a northerly
direction to the Bay of Banderas). The damage will no doubt be substantial in
terms of Dollars, as the value of the property along the coastline is some of
the most valuable in Mexico. But the number of properties affected compared to
the entire community is a mere fraction of the town as a whole. The Weather Channel
reported the next day that while the coastline was suffering, that 95% of Vallarta
remained virtually unaffected. 2. Not one death
has been reported in Puerto Vallarta as a result of the storm. This is not only
a testament to the efficiency of emergency and rescue crews along the coast of
the Bay of Banderas, but also further evidence that the hillside and flatland
communities of this beautiful jungle town were untouched by this event. (For those
of you who know where I live, I lost my treasured bugambilia tree in the front
yard. However, not one roof tile was out of place and no evidence of water at
all - it was like there had been no rainfall whatsoever.) 3.
Many, if not most, of the first-floor businesses on the Malecon were affected
by the storm. However, only two days afterward, establishments were already opening
for business, including Carlos O'Brian's - which, too, had been damaged, but repaired.
Our very own internet service provider, PVNet, located near the Sheraton Hotel,
had been flooded, only to be 100% fully operational on the third day after the
storm. Many of the Malecon businesses are back open today (only the 4th day after
the storm!). 4. Airline service is back to full
operating capacity at the airport. 5. All roads
are open - INCLUDING the Malecon. 6. Electricity
service had been INTENTIONALLY turned off to most, if not all, of the city by
the electric company in order to avert any unwarranted damage or injuries to individuals.
The service remained off during the storm and within a couple hours virtually
all households and businesses had power again. 7. Telephone
service via Telmex was available during the entire storm. I personally made and
received several calls during the actual event. 8.
With the obvious exception of parts of the Malecon and certain beachfront establishments,
restaurants, clubs and stores are open for business, as is the rest of the town. 9.
The structure of the Bay of Banderas was a clear factor in the protection
of Puerto Vallarta. It is evidence that we can withstand even the very worst storm
that can be imagined. In fact, when asked when the last time a hurricane affected
Puerto Vallarta, the National Hurricane Center of the U.S. Government responded
as follows: "Our records for the eastern Pacific which only go back to 1949
... show that no hurricane 'core' has directly impacted Puerto Vallarta during
that period."
They are trying to track
any further data that would show any activity prior to 1949; but that's a minimum
of 53 years without a hurricane. In addition, it has been reported that a Category
5 hurricane has never been experienced off the Pacific Coast of Mexico. Given
the magnitude of this storm and the rarity of its occurrence, I'd say Puerto Vallarta
faired very well. While I am not trying to diminish the
event or the fact that it occurred or that thousands of people in the nearby towns
of San Blas, Guayabitos, Tepic and other northern communities were severely affected
by this storm, I do want to bring to light the fact that Puerto Vallarta is not
in nearly as desperate a state as some news agencies are reporting. Unfortunately,
due to the fact that we are a tourist destination and are better known than the
towns mentioned above that were more seriously affected, we have received the
bad press. The town is bruised, but not destroyed. We are saddened by the loss
of our materialistic possessions, but revel in the life that we all share, here
in Paradise. If nobody had told you that there was a hurricane, with the exception
of a handful of businesses temporarily closed, you would never know that anything
had happened. Please take note that the town of Puerto
Vallarta is preparing for your arrival, be you visitor, businessman/woman, or
part-time resident. You will be welcomed with the same hospitality and friendliness
that you have come to know and love. Some physical aspects of the city may have
involuntarily been changed - but the heart and soul of Puerto Vallarta remains
as you remember it. If you have any questions or doubts
about any of the above, please feel free to contact me. I hope this answers any
concerns you may have had about your beloved Puerto Vallarta and how we are doing
now that the sun is shining. My very best, Wayne
Franklin
Tropicasa Realty
franklin@tropicasa.com Vallarta
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