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Hook
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9010
Registered: 3-13-2004
Location: Sonora
Member Is Offline
Mood: Inquisitive
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The logic of rebuilding along Rio Mulege.
This post may generate some controversy, coming as close as it has on the heels of the latest disaster along there. But some may be contemplating this
right now, as they wrest with the question.
There is certainly an appeal to living along the river. In a climate as arid as Baja, it truly has an oasis/tropical island feel. I have felt this
from my first days long ago when I would stay at the Serenidad or the Orchard in tents or campers......or even a room, now and then. I've also slept
in my vehicles out by El Sombrerito.
I readily admit that Mulege is my favorite place on the peninsula. Every trip down, I poke around for a potential place to buy/lease/rent/cajole in
retirement.
But I have never really considered along the river. Even before Marty in 2003, it was clear that any structure along much of the river is only a
temporary arrangement until the next deluge in the mountains above. It wouldn't even have to be a hurricane, necessarily.
Certainly, development in an area like along the rio wouldn't be allowed in the states. This area would have become a park or a golf course long ago
in the US. But Mexico isn't the US, and thats a good thing to most of us.
Why is it, then, that people continue to rebuild along that stretch? Are they so tied to the land through the title/lease, whether they be Mexican or
gringo, that they really have no choice but to tempt fate again?
I read that an elementary school and adjacent secondary school were also devastated. I dont think they were along the river but they were clearly in
harms way. Can you imagine what might have happened if this had not occured on a Sunday morning? Is there any thought to relocating those schools?
Just wondering what the thinking is here.......
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Cypress
Elite Nomad
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Location: on the bayou
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Mood: undecided
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Building on a flood plain! The balance of some folks checking accounts exceed their IQ by multipule factors. Trust Funds? Daddy's money? Easy come,
easy go. The "let the good times roll" attitude doesn't fit well when momma nature drops the hammer. Sometimes mother nature is a hard lady.
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Hook
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9010
Registered: 3-13-2004
Location: Sonora
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Conditionally agree with what you're saying
...but if their bank account exceeded their IQ by that much, they wouldn't be interested in Mulege.
My sense has always been that most folks along the rio are pretty much working class, maybe upper middle class, at most. For most, the loss is a
substantial amount.
Maybe it's tied to how expensive it would be to return to the US, with the way rents and real estate has gone. Probably lots of people on fixed
incomes.
Or maybe the flood insurance is that reliable in Mexico???? I think I'd take the money and run....for higher ground.
But let's hear from some of the affected parties.
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Sharksbaja
Elite Nomad
Posts: 5814
Registered: 9-7-2004
Location: Newport, Mulege B.C.S.
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The Hook
throws out the bait.
Cypress , evaluate this:moon:
DON\'T SQUINT! Give yer eyes a break!
Try holding down [control] key and toggle the [+ and -] keys
Viva Mulege!
Nomads\' Sunsets
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Bob and Susan
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8813
Registered: 8-20-2003
Location: Mulege BCS on the BAY
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Mood: Full Time Residents
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rule #1 never invest more than you can lose
RULE #2 get insurance
when sharks rebuilds he'll have another great place in a really great location
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mulege marv
Senior Nomad
Posts: 652
Registered: 10-8-2004
Location: san carlos / grass valley, calif.
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Mood: relaxed
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sharksbaja
you got it ! if they ask why, they dont get it. im not taking the bait, or the hook, i only have one thing to say about this post.
Want what you have
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Sharksbaja
Elite Nomad
Posts: 5814
Registered: 9-7-2004
Location: Newport, Mulege B.C.S.
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Plain english
on my other post
DON\'T SQUINT! Give yer eyes a break!
Try holding down [control] key and toggle the [+ and -] keys
Viva Mulege!
Nomads\' Sunsets
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Don Alley
Super Nomad
Posts: 1997
Registered: 12-4-2003
Location: Loreto
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Hook, you're going to have to put on some heavy wire leaders to fish this hole.
But I would guess that the insurance companies may be circling. They wasted no time reacting to the Tripui fire with limits on palapa insurance.
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Baja Bernie
`Normal` Nomad Correspondent
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Location: Sunset Beach
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Hook
This simple guy says you moved in where the lions would not chase, well you know those guys.
When I looked at the pictures that showed the highway bridge arching far above the river I knew!
My smidgen of a claim to fame is that I have had so many really good friends. By Bernie Swaim December 2007
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cat127
Junior Nomad
Posts: 50
Registered: 7-23-2006
Location: Hawaii
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How high (in ft) did the river crest at?
-Cat
Fate Smiles as Destiny laughs!
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Sharksbaja
Elite Nomad
Posts: 5814
Registered: 9-7-2004
Location: Newport, Mulege B.C.S.
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| Quote: | Originally posted by cat127
How high (in ft) did the river crest at?
-Cat |
About 22 ft at our place . I've heard it was higher a bit west but between The Orchard and the bridge I believe was it's deepest and also with the
most force. I could be wrong, what do think Bruce?
[Edited on 9-12-2006 by Sharksbaja]
DON\'T SQUINT! Give yer eyes a break!
Try holding down [control] key and toggle the [+ and -] keys
Viva Mulege!
Nomads\' Sunsets
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Bruce R Leech
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6796
Registered: 9-20-2004
Location: Ensenada formerly Mulege
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Mood: A lot cooler than Mulege
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I cant Imagen that any that has houses to the east of the bridge or in some cases under it did know the risk when they bought or built it .I certainly
told enough of them. they chose to have there houses there in spit of it . and allot will rebuild there houses in the same spot. what I cant
understand is why anyone would not have insurance while living there. in the past 3 years we have had another hurricane and a mager fire and some
close calls. I see Hooks point and also Bob and Susan's. and I think this is an important topic to discuss. I don't think Hook was trolling when he
through out the post.
Bruce R Leech
Ensenada
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Hook
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9010
Registered: 3-13-2004
Location: Sonora
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Reliable insurance would explain a lot. It could be worth the risk, IF there is a reliable way of knowing when the flood is coming, so you can save
life and limb.
Or, maybe the rebuilding is reasonable enough in Mexico that it's worth the risk?
Really do appreciate that some of you are willing to discuss this painful subject. Never have been certain of the internet definition of "trolling". I
was just hoping to generate discussion of the motivation to rebuild by those affected.
Apologize for not "getting it", Marv......unless it is the beauty of the rio that I alluded to.
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cat127
Junior Nomad
Posts: 50
Registered: 7-23-2006
Location: Hawaii
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Okay I am a newbie ... that said.... why doesnt any build up? Here were we regularly have tsnuami threats and hurricanes - we gotta build up 12+ (to
at least a 15+ grade elevation.) if you live on the ocean like we do. Then every one uses the space below for their lanai or carport..... mostly
everyone goes up on 16 x16" chimney blocks with rebar and concrete filled, or sona tubes with same.
I understand that it wouldnt make a difference with a 22' crest but it would at least make buildable the places on the outer edges.
Just curious for all you old timers.....
(PS I also park my car facing out the gate so we could jump in and drive uphill when we feel the big quake!)
Fate Smiles as Destiny laughs!
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Bruce R Leech
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6796
Registered: 9-20-2004
Location: Ensenada formerly Mulege
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Mood: A lot cooler than Mulege
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Sharksbaja
| Quote: | Originally posted by cat127
How high (in ft) did the river crest at?
-Cat |
About 22 ft at our place . I've heard it was higher a bit west but between The Orchard and the bridge I believe was it's deepest and also with the
most force. I could be wrong, what do think Bruce?
[Edited on 9-12-2006 by Sharksbaja] |
well I have studied that river for almost twenty years and gone through all the old records and their are some very interesting stuff . but the
engineers reports from when they built the bridge say that that is the narrowest point so hence the most depth and velocity. the high point for this
storm put the water a little more than a meter below the bottom of the bridge. but because of all the construction under and just to each side of the
bridge and the friction callused by them the water is higher than it would have been up stream and lower down stream. then you have both the bounce
effect and the meandering effect to consider. it gets kind of complicated. to simplify it the water hit the restriction of the bridge and buildings
and damed back some then it broke through the walls at Jorge's park and storage Yard.rushed in through the park and bounced back to the other side and
so forth until it got down river a ways so it kind of depends on where you are and I think Sharksbaja aka Corkys house caught a bounce.
according to the engineers report the flood of 59 the water was 2 meters higher in down town Mulege with much less restriction .
so what I am trying to say is they need to not build anything under the bridge and keep the river channel clean.
Bruce R Leech
Ensenada
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Sharksbaja
Elite Nomad
Posts: 5814
Registered: 9-7-2004
Location: Newport, Mulege B.C.S.
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That makes of lot of sense Bruce
What is the height at the bottom of the bridge? Any idea?
DON\'T SQUINT! Give yer eyes a break!
Try holding down [control] key and toggle the [+ and -] keys
Viva Mulege!
Nomads\' Sunsets
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jerry
Super Nomad
Posts: 1354
Registered: 10-10-2003
Location: loreto
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hea sharks what was the total donations??
jerry and judi
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Sharksbaja
Elite Nomad
Posts: 5814
Registered: 9-7-2004
Location: Newport, Mulege B.C.S.
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Money
$2,836.23 USD but there is still one on a hold for $200.00
I am thrilled that the response was so good.
Just think, if more of those 18,550 folks who visited my website last week would have donated...wow.
hey not bad.... that's like 15.2 cents each
[Edited on 9-13-2006 by Sharksbaja]
DON\'T SQUINT! Give yer eyes a break!
Try holding down [control] key and toggle the [+ and -] keys
Viva Mulege!
Nomads\' Sunsets
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Bruce R Leech
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6796
Registered: 9-20-2004
Location: Ensenada formerly Mulege
Member Is Offline
Mood: A lot cooler than Mulege
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| Quote: | Originally posted by lencho
| Quote: | Originally posted by Bruce R Leech
what I cant understand is why anyone would not have insurance while living there. |
Man, I can't imagine any company in its right mind insuring such a risk. Well, I guess for high enough premiums it would be a safe gamble, but then
who could afford it?
--Larry |
actually Larry the cost is very low for this insurance .
I have learned that some insurance co. will not insure houses that are not totally closed in. this would include many houses along the river as
totally closed in is not very practical here in Mulege.
Bruce R Leech
Ensenada
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jerry
Super Nomad
Posts: 1354
Registered: 10-10-2003
Location: loreto
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hea sharks perhaps you could update your Relief fund figures on your site??
jerry and judi
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