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Two people rescued after their car was swept away in Los Palos arroyo, La Ribera Los Cabos schools stay closed Friday, October 2, due to Hurricane Rachel Hurricane Rachel: temporary shelters and staging points in Los Cabos Los Cabos beaches stay closed under black flag due to Rachel's surf Rachel strengthens to Category 3; forecast rain for southern Baja California Sur raised to 150 mm Hurricane Rachel: Los Cabos schools closed Thursday, four temporary shelters open Two people rescued after their car was swept away in Los Palos arroyo, La Ribera Los Cabos schools stay closed Friday, October 2, due to Hurricane Rachel Hurricane Rachel: temporary shelters and staging points in Los Cabos Los Cabos beaches stay closed under black flag due to Rachel's surf Rachel strengthens to Category 3; forecast rain for southern Baja California Sur raised to 150 mm Hurricane Rachel: Los Cabos schools closed Thursday, four temporary shelters open
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Two people rescued after their car was swept away in Los Palos arroyo, La Ribera

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.

By Miguel Díaz Miró · Responsible editor ·
San José del Cabo firefighters during the rescue at Los Palos arroyo, La Ribera

San José del Cabo firefighters rescued two people who were being swept away, along with their car, by the current of the Los Palos arroyo in the La Ribera delegation of Los Cabos. Crews responded to the call at 7:10 p.m. on Thursday, during the preventive operation for Hurricane Rachel's rains, the Los Cabos municipal government reported.

Both people were checked by paramedics at the scene and are reported stable, according to the municipality.

Who responded

The rescue was carried out by crews from Station #5 La Ribera of the San José del Cabo Fire Department, aboard unit M-29. Civil Protection, Public Safety and Baja Médica also responded.

The operation was part of the Municipal Civil Protection Council's response to Rachel, which forced schools in the municipality to close on Thursday and Friday.

The fire department's warning

After the rescue, the fire department urged residents to avoid crossing arroyos, low-water crossings and storm runoff, and not to try driving through flooded areas. It also asked people to report emergencies to 911.

Why arroyos are so dangerous

In Los Cabos and along the East Cape, including La Ribera, arroyos are dry most of the year and many roads cross them at grade, with no bridge. When it rains in the mountains, water rushes down even if it is barely raining at the crossing.

A current that looks shallow can move a car, because the water pushes against the body and lifts the tires off the ground. The arroyo bed is also often washed out or covered with mud and rocks you cannot see.

What to do if you reach a flooded arroyo

  • Stop before the crossing and wait for the water to drop; it usually takes hours, not days.
  • If there is no other route, turn back.
  • If your vehicle gets trapped and the water rises, get out through the window and onto the roof; do not try to walk against the current.
  • Call 911 and give the arroyo's name and the nearest landmark.

Los Cabos Civil Protection has repeatedly urged people to stay away from arroyos this rainy season, and the La Ribera rescue shows why.

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