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