Panama Canal Reopened After Flooding

[John A]

For the first time in its history, the Panama Canal was closed Wednesday due to flooding!

That has to be one heck of alot of rain! Has anybody heard anything more about this? And could we have some information from people in the area.

[GordMay]

The Panama Canal reopened on Thursday, a day after after heavy rains forced its first closure (for 17 hours) in over two decades (the last time the canal closed was in 1989, after the United States invaded Panama ) ...
... Panamanian officials also said that at least 1 500 people had been left homeless by the floods, caused by downpours which have afflicted all of Latin America ...

➥ Panama Canal reopens : News24: World: News

➥ Panama Canal Reopens After Flooding | Journal of Commerce

[s/v Jedi]

Yes it was bad.. today we were unable to drive to Colon. We have a SUV and were able to pass 4"-6" water that was crossing the road at high current (7 knots easy).. we also managed to talk ourselves past the Gatun locks which we have to cross but shortly after that the road was barricaded and we were turned back.

We did know how to get to the Chagres river for a look (also road blocks but we know more roads than the police heheh) and it was an awesome sight... at least 10' higher than normal water and current of 7-10 knots.

Just where the Chagres enters the Caribbean Sea, a sailboat was washed ashore on the wrong side of the river. We saw 3 people on the beach with nothing but sea on one side and impassable jungle on the other side. We also saw that rescue was initiated when we left.

Tomorrow, we'll try again to buy some food and drink :S

ciao!
Nick.