HURRICANE JIMENA: TIJUANA SITTEP # 2

UNCLAS TIJUANA 000911 DEPT FOR CA/OCS AND S/ES-O/CMS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: CASC ASEC PGOV MX SUBJECT: HURRICANE JIMENA: TIJUANA SITTEP # 2 REF: TIJUANA 909, TIJUANA 908 ¶1. According to the National Hurricane Center morning report, Hurricane Jimena weakened slightly overnight, to a low Category 4 storm, but is still expected to maintain hurricane strength (Category 3 or 4) until making landfall late Wednesday (02 September) morning. The projection then indicates the storm will weaken as it crosses the peninsula to the Mexican mainland. The storm center has moved slightly to the west; hurricane force winds should not, therefore, hit Cabo San Lucas. The storm is expected, however, to drop significant rainfall across the entire southern Baja area, with a high potential for flooding and road damage. ¶2. The consular team arrived in La Paz. The two members who were to go to Cabo Tuesday morning held in place in La Paz, as the federal highway police commander advised against driving on either of the routes due to rains that had occurred earlier in the day. They will either travel on to Cabo when safe to do so or remain in La Paz to provide support in that area, depending on the path of the storm. ¶2. Cabo San Lucas/San Jose del Cabo: GOM officials estimated that 4,000 tourists left Cabo yesterday, leaving approximately 5,000 still in the area. While the airport remained open this morning (Tuesday),there was little traffic as none of the international flights arrived. After receiving the last of the three morning domestic flights, the airport closed for at least the remainder of the day. The worst of the storm is projected to arrive in Cabo at early afternoon and to have passed over the area by late evening. ¶3. Most tourists in Cabo have been sent to one of the shelter hotels. As the storm worsens, some guests may be moved from their rooms to interior meeting rooms without windows for their own protection. We spoke with all of the shelter hotels for an update on the number of American guests. The Cabo Villa (a series of three hotels) reported having 600 guests; their estimate is that 98% of these are AmCits. The Westin Regina and Dreams Los Cabos both reported approximately 200 AmCit guests. The Sheraton has no guests; all flew out yesterday. Other hotels report no more than 10-30 AmCits each. Civil Protection authorities have taken charge of keeping people off Medano Beach (the main municipal beach on the peninsula). Hotels are keeping guests away from the beaches on their properties. ¶4. La Paz and north: Wardens in the affected area are reporting that all appears to be ready to ride out the storm as well as they possibly can. For example, the warden in Loreto, on the Sea of Cortez, communicates with AmCits in the area via radio; he has moved his operation to higher ground in order to continue to send out reports. ¶5. The La Paz team attended an emergency preparedness meeting in the Baja California Sur Governor's office with all appropriate local, state, and federal offices in attendance and reporting. The Governor indicated that the safety of tourists is a top state priority. He has officially declared a State of Emergency and the federal government is standing by to assist as needed. There are shelters in place statewide; most are ready but not activated as there is little demand at this point. The "066" emergency number (Mexico's 911) is functioning without problems, as is the entire phone system. No fuel shortages are foreseen in response to the hurricane, but post-hurricane shortages are possible due to the inability to deliver fuel as tankers have been moved. The mid-state area of Baja Sur is already experiencing flooding and some road closures. The southern end of the peninsula is experiencing high water on the Pacific side and mudslides on the east. Roads remain open at the driver's discretion but travel is not advised. ¶6. Concern was expressed about the possibility of a night-time landfall. People are not evacuating leading up to the storm and night-time evacuations and rescues will be difficult. Officials believe that Mulege, Laguna San Ignacio, and Santa Rosalia will be the hardest hit areas. Agencies discussed the availability and preparedness of shelters, including medical care and supplies, food, water, etc. Red Cross reported that is it focusing on assisting people in contacting family members and loved ones, while also stockpiling and distributing appropriate supplies (food, water, tents, chlorine, pesticides, etc). 7: A follow-up meeting has been called for 18:00 local. An up-date will be provided after that meeting. KASHKETT