Aftermath

Back from Mexico, adjusting to the rigours of winter again and shovelling snow... We're learning more each day about last week's storm in Michoacan and the extensive damage that occurred just after our departure from the region. Angangueo, the town most often used as a staging ground for visitors to the butterfly sanctuaries, was almost completely destroyed by flooding and landslides on February 3. At least 18 people were killed, many others are still missing. We wonder about the fate of our friend, Francisco.

Other communities in the region, including Ocampo and San Felipe Alzati, suffered extensive damage as well, and were declared disaster areas. It's all very sad. And who knows how the butterfly colonies fared. The storm brought heavy rains for four days, February 1st to the 4th. There was hail on the first day in Tlalpujahua, where we were, and more hail in Angangueo. The butterfly sanctuaries are about 500 metres higher in altitude, and likely are no longer accessible. A fragile community in a hostile environment...