Weather Update - Bye, bye Vance!

Vance is over!

The tail end of the storm we talked above hooked below Maz and will continue to come ashore in the that direction. Mazatlan got all the rain on the front side of Vance, and Puerto Vallarta should get all the backside. That beautiful three day weekend we talked about starting Friday? Make it four days starting tomorrow, and with the rain giving a boost to the green land and the wind giving a boost to the blue skies! It's going to be a stunner!!!

Two Months to Repair Pacifico Monument

by Murry Page

24 Sep 14

mazmessenger.com

Sergio Wong Ramos, Director of Public Works for Mazatlán, said that it would take two months to repair the damage done to the monument on Avenida de Mar celebrating the 100^th anniversary of Pacifico brewery.

The director said the delay is caused by the high tides that have inhibited the beginning of the needed repairs.

Sergio Wong said the cost to repair the Pacifico monument and the other damaged sustained on the Malecón would be approximately 650,000 pesos and would be accomplished by the Public Works’ own resources.

(from El Sol De Mazatlán)

Some Good News From Los Cabos

 itravel-cabo.com

 

Date Published: 9/19/2014

Author: iTravel Cabo

Only the beginning, but Cabo already showing great stength of recovery following Odile

It's been a week of truly bad news following Hurricane Odile, so lets now look at some of the latest good news to come out of Los Cabos.

Clean Up & Security

As previously reported today, the clean up is well underway and Cabo is already progressing with its recovery. The marines have arrived in town and are helping to clean the streets of mud and debris using have shovels and picks. We have also received word that the army have taken more control with officials setting a curfew at 9pm.

Local Radio is Back in Action

The local radio is back up and running Cabo Mil Radio Cabo. If you are trying to locate anyone in Cabo you can post a message with their name and they will broadcast for you.

Gas Stations & Travel on Highway 1

Four gas stations opened today. Two are allowing both cars and gas cans to be filled without any reported 'limit'.

In spite of the travel warnings many are making the trip down Highway 1 whilst work is still ongoing. If you must go, here are a few things to bear in mind...

Based on some of the latest information we have, the Highway is now allowing traffic flow in both directions without too much trouble to Guerrero Negro. There is still some water at the vado in Cataviña, though not enough to cause problems if you drive slowly and carefully. Past Guerrero Negro the road is "open" but with limitations and some potential problems.

The government has made the road "passable" at several spots around the Guerrero Negro area with some quick regrading work. The road is currently drivable but very rough in places so go easy. Before setting off anywhere, please make sure your tires are in good shape and that you have a good spare as surfaces are unpredictable.

The mid section of the peninsula also suffered a lot of flood damage in locations and some communities may not currently be equipped to handle services such as food, gas and lodging as normal. The availability of gasoline in general is still unpredictable and, as you will imagine, there are long lines to fill up. Due to the breakdown in communications, any accident or road emergency response will be extremely slow or even none.

Of course it's still best NOT to travel if you can avoid it, but if you do, please take lots of extra water, snacks and extra medications you may be taking.

Best to wait of course but if you must travel right now, please be careful, use extreme caution and drive safely.

Official Line On Travel For US Citizens

Emergency Message from the Consulate General of the U.S. - Hurricane Odile (Sep 18, 2014)

The Department of State recommends that U.S. citizens affected by Hurricane Odile in Baja California Sur should proceed to San José del Cabo airport as soon as possible, if able to do so. Travel during daylight hours is recommended.

The Department of State is working with U.S. and Mexican carriers to arrange flights for U.S. citizens departing from San José del Cabo (SJD) airport on Thursday, September 18. Other flights MAY be departing from the airport in La Paz (LAP). The Department of State urges U.S. citizens still in Cabo San Lucas to avail themselves of this opportunity. Passengers should be prepared to wait until they are able to depart. Many U.S. and Mexican commercial flights are departing this airport. In addition, the U.S. State Department has chartered flights. By law, these flights will be provided on a reimbursable basis, and passengers will be required to sign a promissory note. No passenger will be turned away due to lack of funds.

U.S. consular personnel are in affected areas in the Baja California peninsula to provide consular assistance to stranded citizens.

The U.S. Consulate in Tijuana advises against land travel between southern Baja and northern Baja Peninsula because of damage to the Trans-Peninsular Highway.

For U.S. citizens affected by Hurricane Odile, or their relatives:

The State Department has established a crisis hotline to respond to inquiries about current conditions and loved ones in the impacted area. If you require assistance personally, or wish to inquire on behalf of a friend or family member, please use the following contact information:

From the U.S. & Canada: 1-888-407-4747
From Overseas: 1 202-501-4444
Email: OdileEmergencyUSC@state.gov

General Preparation and Guidance

U.S. citizens are advised to monitor local media for updates or possible changes to the potentially violent weather conditions and to follow any instructions/warnings issued by the Mexican government. Preparations to protect life and property should be considered. U.S. citizens should carry their travel documents (i.e. U.S. passport book or passport card) with them at all times or secure them by placing them in a safe, waterproof location. If you must travel during this time, please take reasonable precautions such as avoiding entering swiftly moving water. Drivers should remain vigilant for landslides.

We strongly recommend that U.S. citizens traveling to or residing in Mexico enroll in the Department of State’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) on the State Department’s website. STEP enrollment gives you the latest security updates, and makes it easier for the U.S.

Every day brings progress! More news, as and when we get it.

These groups are accepting donations for Hurricane Odile Relief

Monster Energy delivers 34 pallets of Monster Tour water to Mexicana Logistics for distribution to hurricane victims.BAJA STRONG

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mexico News Daily | Friday, September 19, 2014

 

Donations of goods and cash to assist victims of Hurricane Odile are being sought by at least three organizations in Baja California, California and Texas.

• Baja Strong Off Roaders Hurricane Relief

This group is putting together a plan with Mexicana Logistics of Mexicali, which has offered some of its semi trucks to transport relief items as early as today. Their delivery will be undertaken in conjunction with the Red Cross.

Items sought include canned food/goods of any kind, bottled water, diapers, bleach, cleaning supplies, buckets, brooms, towels/blankets.

The address for United States donations is Mexicana Logistics US HQ, 7734 Formula Place, San Diego, CA 92121, and in Mexico at Calzada de las Americas #951, Col. Compuertas, Mexicali, BC. Both are open from 8:00am to 5:00pm.

Facebook

• Bisbee’s Fish & Wildlife Conservation Fund

Wayne Bisbee, tournament director of Bisbee’s Black & Blue Marlin Tournament in Cabo San Lucas, has donated $250,000 in seed money to the Bisbee’s Cabo Relief Fund. Donations will be routed through the Boulder City, Nevada, Rotary Club.

In addition, two other initiatives are under way. The non-profit volunteer group Club Dust will provide shelter, from tents to rebuilding homes. The organization has built more than 1,000 portable and permanent homes in Mexico in the past 33 years.

The second is to help sportsfishing operators get back on the water by repairing boats and replacing lost gear, through both loans and grants.

Website

• Cabo San Lucas Colonies Relief

Money is being raised through GoFundMe for Project Smiles, which has delivered food, clothes and medical supplies to Los Cabos neighborhoods over the years. Donations will be used for direct support to those neighborhoods with water, food, clothing, medical care and shelter.

Website

• Lighthouse Sports Bar and Restaurant, Rosarito

Drop-off center all weekend for all types of donations, while 5% of all sales will go to a relief fund.

Facebook

Mexico News Daily

- See more at: http://mexiconewsdaily.com/news/groups-taking-relief-donations/?utm_source=fb&utm_medium=fb&utm_campaign=donations-09-19#sthash.0ZLk1ulT.dpuf

Weather Update - The News Keeps Getting Better!

We're on a roll as the good news continues. Polo actually LOST wind velocity, and is now clocking 70 MPH (112 KPH) sustained winds). That is just under the threshold for hurricane status, and it's being called a tropical storm again.

I understand this small difference doesn't sound like much, but Polo's current location is traditionally where storms continuously elevate their wind speed...just as Norbert and Odile did. In addition the track is slowly moving into that Westerly swing we're all praying for.

It's too early to call the drop in wind velocity a trend, however elevating to a hurricane and then right back to tropical storm in the same day is unusual. At the least it seems to be an indication we're dealing with a much weaker system, and helps to sooth frayed nerves for those hammered by Odlie.

By late afternoon Polo should pass Cabo Corrientes, the huge land mass which juts way out into the Pacific and largely protects) Puerto Vallarta. That's a critical point in time, as a turn to the West there (which is being called for) will put the storm well out into open water and confirm the unlikelihood of ever making landfall.

Chaos in Los Cabos after Hurricane Odile

by Maureen Dietrich

18 Sep 14  

mazmessenger.com

 

People in Los Cabos are in need of help, in particular water, medicine, food and gasoline.

Tourists and residents airlifted from Los Cabos to Mazatlán yesterday on federal air force and navy planes told reporters at Mazatlán´s Rafael Buelna airport that no one was prepared for the destruction caused by category 4 Hurricane Odile that slammed into Los Cabos in Baja California Sur last weekend.

Practically everything is destroyed, commented one Los Cabos resident who was flying to Guadalajara to stay with family.

People in Los Cabos are in need of help, in particular water, medicine, food and gasoline the passengers told media. Unguarded stores are being looted not only for food but looters are taking advantage of the absence of security to steal whatever they can, they added.

Practically everything is destroyed, commented one Los Cabos resident who was flying to Guadalajara to stay with family.

In a front page story, Noroeste reported that four days after Hurricane Odile Los Cabos is still without electricity, food and water causing unrest and fights among those trying to obtain the basic necessities for their families.

Self-serve and grocery stores such as Oxxo, Soriana, MegaCommercial, and Walmart have been looted by hungry residents looking for food. Only Costco, closed and guarded by soldiers, was untouched.

Baja Sur authorities said they arrested three people for theft and have put in place a security operation to avoid looters and thefts from destroyed private homes.

Speaking to media, Mazatlán Mayor Carlos Felton said the municipality has set up three reception areas for anyone wishing to donate supplies to the residents of Los Cabos: the DIF office in municipal hall, municipal offices on Constitución and Rosales and Bosque de la Ciudad.

People can also drop off their donations at the Noroeste office on Av. Benemérito de las Américas.

The federal government issued a statement yesterday saying 5,000 tourists have been evacuated and they are attending to 11,000 people who have taken refuge in shelters. Restoration of electricity in Baja California Sur is progressing, but slowly in Los Cabos, the zone most affected by Odile.

 (from Noroeste)

Weather Update - Hurricane Polo

The bad news is Polo is now an official hurricane with sustained maximum winds of 75 MPH (120 KPH). That qualifies it as a Category I Hurricane, which runs between 74 and 95 MPH (119 to 153 KPH). The really, really good news is that track we're expecting where it will stay at sea and well below Baja? It's looking better and better.

The proof will be in the pudding by very late on Friday night or quite early Saturday morning. Around that time we'll hopefully be able to see it already swinging West and / or too far below Baja to reach Cabo without turning back on itself at an extremely rare angle. Thank Goodness it appears the poor residents of Cabo will be getting nothing but some high surf.

You can see the latest track projection here:

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/graphics_ep2.shtml?5-daynl#contents

Hurricane Odile Relief

If you can, please help out southern Baja! Here are a few options; 


Cruz Roja

Yacht Aid

Cabo San Lucas Colonies Relief

International Community Foundation

Bisbee Cabo Relief Fund

Waves For Water

United For Baja

Baja Strong - Off-Roaders Hurricane Relief



Locally in Mazatlan, there are centers set up to accept other donations. Things needed include; water, non-perishable food, baby food, diapers, baby wipes, blankets, clothes, pet food, medications, first aid supplies, toilet tissue, personal hygiene supplies, cleaning supplies, tarps, tents, building supplies, etc. Here are some drop off locations;



Secretary of Tourism 

                                      MAZATLÁN: Av. del Mar No.882 Fracc. Tellería. Teléfono (669) 981 88 83          Mazatlán, Sinaloa. México C. P. 82017

                                       LOS MOCHIS: Ignacio Zaragoza 444 Nte. Edificio San Isidro Int. 7, Centro. Teléfono: 668 817-1922 Los Mochis, Ahome, Sinaloa. C. P. 81200

                                      CULIACÁN: Av. 16 de Septiembre #1726 local A1 Colonia Centro, Sinaloa. C.P. 80129 (Frente Palacio de Gobierno)

TV Azteca

Senor Frog's  (*)

Diego's Beach House (*)

El Shrimp Bucket (*)

Cruz Roja 

DIF Mazatlan 
                         Bosque de Ciudad

                         Palacio Municipal

                         Constitution #1029

                         Palacio Federal

Noroeste

El Debate

Todos Santos Mariscos Bar 

Teacher Gabino's E & L Whitney Academy

Soriana Plus

Kelly's Bike Shop


Those with a (*) indicate that when you drop off donations, you are eligible for free beer courtesy of Pacifico and Dos Equis!!

Odile update: 8,000 homes destroyed

People lived here before Odile.PERIÓDICO CENTRAL

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mexico News Daily | Wednesday, September 17, 2014

While the damage inflicted by Hurricane Odile on hotels and other business structures in Los Cabos is severe, it doesn’t compare to the estimated 8,000 homes that were destroyed Sunday and Monday.

It was the poorer urban communities that took the worst hit of all in the hurricane that made landfall near Cabo San Lucas on Sunday. Some just disappeared, leaving only wood debris, laminate roofing material and some bits of furniture.

Federal and state officials came up with the 8,000 figure yesterday, and observed that most of those homes were located in areas that had been illegally settled. Efforts are now under way to relocate hundreds of affected families to other areas.

At least 11,000 people were being housed in shelters as of Monday, while 27,000 tourists are believed to have been in the region when Odile struck.

One of the first sights that President Peña Nieto saw when he flew over the Los Cabos airport yesterday was an overturned plane on the runway, while the terminal itself is severely damaged.

During a visit to the airport, a boy of 10 caught the president’s attention when he yelled, “Peña, a plane to Tijuana!” The request prompted onlookers to gather round Peña Nieto to ask for fast action on an air bridge and supplies, particularly water.

Among other developments yesterday:

• 22 Armed Forces and commercial planes are being utilized to transport stranded visitors and residents to Tijuana, Mazatlán, Guadalajara and Mexico City. The commercial airlines offering rescue flights are Aeroméxico, Interjet and Volaris.
• Water commission director David Korenfeld said work is under way to restore one of the water plants that supplies 40% of the area’s needs.
• “Alternative energy” sources, presumably portable power plants, are being used to deliver water through aqueducts to 26 wells.
• The Federal Electrical Commission (CFE) reported 2,186 damaged power poles, of which 1,800 are in Los Cabos affecting 239,000 users who are without power, representing 92% of customers in the region.
• CFE chief Enrique Ochoa said service had been reestablished to 40% of customers, a figure expected to reach 95% by the end of the week.
• Highway infrastructure sustained only one serious piece of damage when the Cuadaño bridge was destroyed. It will require 150 million pesos to replace, said Transport Secretary Gerardo Ruiz Esparza.
• Several hotels have announced that their guests are safe and well but unable to communicate with their families due to the lack of Internet and phone service.

And from reports today:

• The road between Cabo San Lucas and La Paz is passable but is down to one lane.
• Food is running out fast and most stores have been looted. Only one store in the Oxxo chain was spared.
• The federal government and different organizations are flying food into La Paz, for government delivery.
• Supply centers are operating in Ensenada, Mexicali and Tijuana and accepting non-perishable items for delivery by National Defense to victims.

Sources: Periódico Central (sp), Gringo Gazette (en)

- See more at: http://mexiconewsdaily.com/news/odile-update-communities-disappeared/#sthash.ZCQcWRom.dpuf

Weather Update - Let's Play Polo

Sep 18, 2014

 

No we're not talking about that sport you engage in while riding a horse. This Polo is a tropical storm, and will develop into a hurricane sometime today. First however, let's backtrack a little and follow up with Odile, the former Category III hurricane which has degraded into a heavy rain storm.

It hooked around sharply after entering the U.S., and is now moving due East. Odile dumped a lot of rain on the Tucson area of Arizona, and will continue to pour while going over Las Cruces, New Mexico and El Paso, Texas on a tour through the Lone Star State.

In the meantime our next storm watch is concentrated on Polo, which, because of the terrible damage in Cabo, is guaranteed to get more attention than it deserves. Of course we don't want to minimize the inconvenience to people in areas like Zihuatanejo or Manzanillo, where out of an abundance of caution flights may be delayed or cancelled.

However in the end there's almost no chance for Polo to become an infamous storm like Odile. In fact it's more likely to been less eventful than Norbert. Let's talk about the hows and whys. Currently Polo is just about 150 miles (240 kilometers) offshore Manzanillo, and heading West by Northwest. The important part of that heading is the West designation coming first, as that keeps it offshore.

Thanks to our Canadian friends, you can get a good look at Polo by clicking on the link, (and notice that while bands of clouds spiral out through the Mexican states of Colima (Manzanillo) and Michoacán, the main body with damaging winds is well out in the ocean):

http://www.weatherimages.org/data/imag6.html

Hurricane experts are predicting Polo will continue on its' current heading, then gently arc more Westerly and swing below the Baja Peninsula. That looks like a good call. Odile instead veered North into Cabo, but thank God we have a ridge of pressure that will make Polo want to go toward open sea instead. The question is how close will it be to Baja as it hopefully makes the turn?

This direction will keep it far away from Mazatlan, and consequently be an unlikely source of direct rain. In fact that particular track often sees us with rather sunny skies. However the storm will tend to pull air off the land, so that could bring extra moisture down off the mountains at night and increase chances of precipitation.

Polo will be dead center in the "window" to produce significant sized rollers at the beaches, already somewhat denuded of sand. Fortunately they'll be coming from farther away than Norbert, and hopefully less radical. Be especially cautious on your beach walks, as the slope to the water will be steeper than normal. In addition currents will be very strong, so maybe we could stick to the pool....OK ?....;^)

The Spanish word for storm is tormenta, which is rather appropriate as they can bring unwanted conditions including high humidity. Air temperatures don't look to be too high though, right at the mid 80's (29.5 C.). This is probably going to be more about rather warm nights, in the mid 70's (24 C.). (Which will sound wonderful if you're in Calgary or Montana and it snows again this week...LOL)

In addition I think we can count on the chances for rain to be high through the next week. On second thought let's make that rain guaranteed, but don't look for a tropical storm downpour. As always expect most rain to arrive late at night, and during the day there should be plenty of sunshine. Particularly if Polo makes that Westerly turn early.

If you're in Mazatlan have a great time ! If you're not....well, why not ??

Mazatlán Airport Receives Evacuees from Baja California Sur

by Murry Page

17 Sep 14 

mazmessenger.com

 

Evacuees were met by the Sinaloa Secretaryo of Tourism as well the U.S. Consular Agent in Mazatlán.

A 10:40 am yesterday Mazatlán’s Rafael Buelna airport received 147 passengers fleeing Los Cabos, La Paz, and the ravages of Hurricane Odile. The arriving passengers consisted of 79 men, 58 women, and six children, most of whom were Americans. Eight hours later a Federal Police helicopter landed at the airport with 23 mores evacuees.

The evacuees were met by state and local officials, as well as Luis Ramírez, the U.S. Consular Agent in Mazatlán.

Francisco Cordova Celaya, Secretary of Tourism for the state, said they were anticipating as many as 700 evacuees and civil defense and military personnel were at the airport to assist the arriving tourists and workers. Local hotels made rooms available at a discounted price of $40 for the night, while the convention center was preparing to take up to 500 people.

Later during the day Francisco Cordova Celaya said that Alaska airlines would be taking a large group to Los Angeles on its daily flight from Mazatlán. It was reported that 87 evacuees made that flight.

A few people decided to stay in Mazatlán, while others flew south to Puerto Vallarta to catch a flight today to Canada. 58 nationals headed to Hermosillo, 3 to Culiacán and 49 departed for México City.

Luis Ramirez noted the new tropical storm Pollo and said, “We have basically three days to evacuate Americans from Los Cabos and then prepare for the arrival of “Pollo.”

(from Noroeste)

Tropical Storm Polo Forms South-Southeast of Acapulco

 by Murry Page

17 Sep 14  

mazmessenger.com

 

Tropical Storm Polo, the sixteenth named storm of a busy eastern Pacific hurricane season, formed Tuesday several hundred miles south-southeast of Acapulco, México. Maximum sustained winds are near 40 mph (65 kph) and the National Hurricane Center said that strengthening is possible during the next 24 hours. Polo could become a hurricane by Thursday, September 18.

Polo is moving toward the northwest near 12 mph (19 kph) and is expected to continue over the next two days, paralleling the coast of southwestern México.

Tropical storm watches are in effect from Zihuatanejo, Guerrero in the south to Cabo Corrientes, Jalisco in the north where tropical storm conditions are possible beginning on Wednesday. Tropical storm-force winds extend out about 80 miles from the center of Polo.

So far the 2014 hurricane season has seen 16 named storms, 10 hurricanes, and 7 major hurricanes. This season has now surpassed an entire average season (15, 8, and 3). If Polo intensifies to a major hurricane, then Polo would tie the 1992 season for the most Category 3 or stronger hurricanes for any eastern Pacific season.

(from Insurance Journal)

Alaska allows flight changes to more Mexico resorts due to hurricane

Posted by Kristin Jackson

blogs.seattletimes.com

Damage on a Los Cabos beach from Hurricane Odile as seen on Monday.  (Oscar Ramirez photo / EPA)

Alaska Airlines, one of the major carriers to the Mexican resort of Los Cabos from Seattle and California cities,  has extended the no-penalty period for canceling or changing flights through Sept. 19 because of the hurricane that has devastated the area. It’s also dropped the change/cancellation fess for other western Mexico resort cities that will be affected by the massive Hurricane Odile.

On Monday afternoon, Alaska  extended the no-penalty flight-change policy to other western Mexican cities that face heavy rain.  Alaska spokeswoman Halley Knigge said they include Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan, Manzanillo and Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo. The Los Cabos airport remained closed Monday, and Alaska has canceled all flights to/from Los Cabos on Tuesday.  Get details at Alaska’s website.

Damage to Los Cabos, a major Mexican tourist resort at the southern tip of the Baja California peninsula, includes widespread power outages, blown-out windows and roofs, and flooding after torrential rains. Alaska canceled all of its 10 flights Monday (and six flights on Sunday in advance of the hurricane which struck Sunday night). Eight flights also were canceled for Tuesday; it’s unclear when the airport will reopen.

The hurricane churned northward Monday up the Baja California peninsula on Monday, but its effects also are stretching out onto the west coast of Mexico (and resorts there)  and it’s expected to bring torrential rain later this week to Arizona.

Visitors due to travel soon to hard-hit Los Cabos should check directly with airlines and hotels about cancellations and refunds. As of Monday, hotels  and the regional government still were assessing damage, and hotel cancellation policies were not yet set. But visitors due to travel in the coming weeks to Los Cabos should double-check on hotel damage, repairs and possible closure of amenities such as hotel pools or restaurants.

A state of natural disaster has been declared in Baja California Sur (the southern part of the peninsula), according to La Tribune de Los Cabos, a local newspaper, and people were being urged to stay inside Monday because of the danger of downed power lines and hurricane debris that littered streets.

Raimundo Diaz Cruz (left) and his wife Graciela Castillo salvage wood beans and bricks Monday to rebuild their house after it was destroyed by Hurricane Odile in Los Cabos. (Victor R. Caivano /AP photo)

Tourists in Los Cabos spent a long, fearful night Sunday in hotel ballrooms and hallways, or in the bathrooms of their hotel rooms, to be safely away from windows which could and did shatter during the hurricane. Damage was still being assessed in local fishing villages and other communities.

Thousands of tourists, many of them American, were in Los Cabos when the hurricane struck. Alaska said it will “seek to accommodate” its passengers who want to get home as soon as possible.

120 Shrimp Boats Head to Sea

by Murry Page

13 Sep 14  

mazmessenger.com

 

Gustavo Rangel Gómez, Capitan of the Mazatlán Port, said the port was not closed yesterday and 120 shrimp boats put out to sea in anticipation of the shrimp season opening at 6 am September 14.

The harbormaster said the vast majority of the local fleet of about 300 vessels remained moored waiting to see what the weather will do.

Rangel Gómez said that although nothing is certain when it comes to weather, the forecast is that Odile will continue on a western course, but producing strong surges. He felt that most ships would be able to find refuge, if needed.

Ricardo Michel Luna, president of Pacific Ship Owners Union, said, “Fortunately Odile has detoured west, but we must not be complacent.” He pointed out that 90 percent of the fleet is ready to sail, but their departure will depend on the weather.

(from El Debate)