image source, AFP
The Mexican authorities maintain a state of alert for the risk of flooding.
Hurricane Odile hit the tourist area of Los Cabos, in the Mexican state of Baja California Sur, on Monday with maximum winds of 185 km/h.
After reaching category 4 on Sunday morning, Odile lost steam until reaching category 2 on Monday. However, it continues to threaten strong winds and storms in this region over the Pacific Ocean. It is forecast that by Tuesday it will be destroyed in a category 1 hurricane and by Wednesday it will be a tropical storm
This Monday, the hurricane moved in a north-northeast direction at 26kph. Earlier, the Mexican authorities prepared shelters for 30,000 people in the most vulnerable coastal areas.
Similarly, they declared a state of alert in five towns, anticipating landslides and floods.
According to Juan Carlos Pérez Salazar, BBC Mundo correspondent in Mexico, in the state of Baja California, the independence day festivities (which are celebrated on September 16), the most important of the year and which are commemorated with the traditional “shout”.
From the United States National Hurricane Center they anticipated that the center of the storm will move near the Baja California peninsula on Tuesday.
David Korenfeld, director of Mexico’s National Water Commission, described Odile as “highly dangerous.”
It is estimated that there will be heavy rains of up to 46 centimeters in some areas, which could cause major flooding.
endangered tourist area
The affected region is an area of huge tourist complexes, as well as fishing villages.
Authorities have counted at least 26,000 foreign tourists and 4,000 potentially vulnerable Mexicans in the area.
image source, AFP
It is expected to be the strongest hurricane to hit the peninsula since Kiko in 1989.
A resident of Los Cabos, Felipa Flores, spoke to the AP agency on her way to a shelter. “Later we are going to be isolated, and my house is made of wood and laminated cardboard. It will not last long,” she said.
The head of Mexico’s civil protection agency, Luis Puente, told reporters that they have already set up 164 shelters, with a capacity for 30,000 people.
Storm experts said Odile is expected to be the strongest hurricane to pass through the southeastern tip of the peninsula since Kiko in 1989, which reached category 3.
At the same time it was reported that Tropical Storm Edouard became a Hurricane in the Atlantic. However, it does not represent any danger to the population, since it is located 1,470 kilometers from the Northern Leeward Islands.
The correspondent recalled that during last year’s hurricane season, the combined forces of Hurricanes Manuel and Ingrid wreaked great havoc, especially in the states of Guerrero, Veracruz, Michoacán and Oaxaca, leaving a toll of 120 deaths, thousands of refugees and multi-million dollar losses in cities like Acapulco.
