Los Cabos opens four temporary shelters and starts precautionary evacuations near arroyos
Two shelters are in San José del Cabo and two in Cabo San Lucas. Families near the Salto Seco and Aguajito arroyos and in the Santa Rosa and El Zacatal neighborhoods are covered by the evacuation plan.
The Los Cabos city government has opened four temporary shelters and started a precautionary evacuation plan for families living near arroyos (seasonal streambeds). The city said on October 3 that more rain is forecast and the streambeds are already holding more water.
Where the shelters are
In San José del Cabo, the shelters are CECyTE 04 and Secundaria Técnica No. 14. In Cabo San Lucas, they are Primaria Héroes de 1847 and Primaria Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz.
The evacuation plan covers families living along the Salto Seco and Aguajito arroyos in Cabo San Lucas, and in the Santa Rosa and El Zacatal neighborhoods in San José del Cabo. The city has also gathered its available 4×4 vehicles and is driving through high-risk areas with loudspeaker warnings.
"La prioridad del XV Ayuntamiento es salvaguardar la vida" ("The XV City Council's priority is to protect lives"), said the city's secretary general, Alberto Rentería Santana. The municipal Civil Protection office, headed by Francisco Cota Márquez, is coordinating the work on the ground.
"Safe Crossing" operation in Cabo San Lucas
Civil Protection, municipal police, the armed forces and Public Services are also running a "Cruce Seguro" (Safe Crossing) operation at points in Cabo San Lucas where water is flowing across streets. The city asked people not to cross arroyos, channels or runoff, whether on foot or in any vehicle.
It also warned against driving through flooded areas, because the force and depth of the water can be dangerous even for large vehicles.
Background: Rachel and Polo
The city has had several days of bad weather. The State Civil Protection Council canceled classes at all levels and shifts in Los Cabos on Thursday, October 1, and Friday, October 2. The reason was the forecast of heavy to intense rain from Hurricane Rachel, with 75 to 150 millimeters of rain and waves of 4 to 6 meters.
Weeks earlier, the state government reported no casualties after Polo passed through central and northern Baja California Sur. In La Paz, firefighters rescued 15 people, including four children, who were trapped in the San Blas arroyo on September 27.
What to do if you live near an arroyo
- If you are told to evacuate, leave right away. Pack ID, medicine, water, clothes and a phone charger in a waterproof bag.
- Know where your nearest shelter is before you need it: CECyTE 04 or Secundaria Técnica 14 in San José, or the Héroes de 1847 or Sor Juana elementary schools in Cabo San Lucas.
- Do not cross moving water. Half a meter of flowing water can carry away a car. Wait for the water to go down or find another route.
- Get updates only from official channels, as the city asked, and don't share rumors.
- The city gave (624) 146 7600 as its contact number. If lives are in danger, call 911.
Related
The city continues its preventive operation in Cabo San Lucas and urges residents not to cross arroyos or runoff channels on foot or by car.
Firefighters from La Ribera's Station 5 pulled both people from the current during Hurricane Rachel's rains; they were checked on scene and reported stable.
The State Civil Protection Council extended the closure one more day for all grade levels and shifts; 75 to 150 mm of rain and waves up to 6 meters are expected.
The city opened four shelters in San José del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas plus seven staging points; no evacuation has been ordered so far.