Hurricane Norma makes landfall near Mexico’s Los Cabos as Tammy threatens islands in the Atlantic

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Hurricane Norma made landfall near the coastal resorts of Los Cabos in Mexico’s Baja California Peninsula on a Saturday afternoon. Initially classified as a Category 4 hurricane, Norma had weakened to a Category 1 hurricane with sustained winds of 80 mph (130 kph) as it made landfall near el Pozo de Cota, which is west-northwest of Cabo San Lucas. The U.S. National Hurricane Center reported this development, anticipating further weakening as Norma moved across the Sea of Cortez, also known as the Gulf of California.

Meanwhile, in the Atlantic, Hurricane Tammy posed a threat to the islands of the Lesser Antilles, with its proximity to Antigua raising concerns. Businesses in Cabo San Lucas took precautions by securing their windows with plywood, and government agencies hung warning banners, advising against crossing gullies and stream beds after Norma regained strength and intensified once more on Friday.

Norma’s downgrade to a Category 1 hurricane on Saturday morning positioned it 15 miles west-northwest of Cabo San Lucas, as per the U.S. National Hurricane Center’s report. The storm was gradually moving north-northeast at a pace of 7 mph (11 km/h). The forecast indicated that Norma would maintain this trajectory through the evening before shifting northeast and slowing down as it approached the western Pacific coast of mainland Mexico, now as a tropical storm.

The sluggish movement of the storm heightened concerns of severe flooding. Predictions indicated that Norma could deposit between six to 12 inches of rainfall, with some areas possibly receiving up to 18 inches, across southern Baja California and a significant portion of Sinaloa state. John Cangialosi, a senior specialist at the National Hurricane Center, explained that the region’s susceptibility to rain was due to its generally arid nature. The expected heavy rainfall raised the potential for flash floods, urban flooding, and mudslides.

Authorities in San Jose del Cabo stepped in to assist two stranded tourist families, one from Mexico and one from the United States, who were unable to leave the closed airport. These travelers were relocated to one of the 24 open shelters, accommodating approximately 1,700 people by the afternoon. While there were reports of downed trees and power poles, there were no reported injuries or fatalities at this time.

The Los Cabos Civil Defense agency strongly advised residents to remain indoors as the storm’s winds and rainfall intensified. Emergency responders worked tirelessly to evacuate individuals from low-lying areas, relocating them to shelters. In San Jose del Cabo, police rescued two people from a truck swept away by a surging stream. Informal settlements, located away from tourist-serving hotels, found themselves isolated by rising water levels. Additionally, some neighborhoods experienced power and internet service disruptions.

Despite the challenging conditions, hotels in Los Cabos, which primarily cater to foreign tourists, remained around three-quarters full. Tourists did not make significant moves to depart, as the local airports were closed.

In the midst of this hurricane activity, Hurricane Tammy in the Atlantic was closely monitored. With wind speeds of 85 mph (140 kph), it prompted hurricane warnings for several islands, including Antigua, Barbuda, Montserrat, St. Kitts and Nevis, Anguilla, St. Martin, and St. Barthelmy. Hurricane Tammy was steadily moving north-northwest at 10 mph (17 km/h) and was positioned approximately 50 miles north of Guadeloupe and 35 miles east-southeast of Antigua. The forecast indicated that Tammy was likely to remain a hurricane and might even strengthen slightly as it advanced toward the Lesser Antilles, passing through Guadeloupe and Antigua and Barbuda. Given the slow-moving nature of the storm, the U.S. National Hurricane Center warned of heavy rainfall and potential flooding across the Lesser Antilles.

Residents of Antigua and Barbuda, still recovering from the recent effects of Tropical Storm Philippe, braced for the arrival of Hurricane Tammy. The memory of the devastation caused by Hurricane Irma in 2017, coupled with recent wind damage and flooding from Philippe, underscored the need for preparedness. Prime Minister Gaston Browne emphasized the elevated risk of flooding due to saturated soil and urged residents to secure their lives and property. As part of preparations, government offices, banks, and most non-retail businesses closed early on Friday, leading to traffic congestion as residents rushed to stock up on essentials. Local disaster management officials announced plans to open approximately 40 shelters across the country.

In summary, Hurricane Norma made landfall in Mexico, prompting evacuations and preparations for heavy rainfall and potential flooding, while Hurricane Tammy threatened the Lesser Antilles in the Atlantic, requiring residents to take precautions and brace for possible impacts. This situation warrants close monitoring and adherence to safety guidelines as the storms progress.

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More about Natural Disasters

• U.S. National Hurricane Center: The official website providing updates and information on hurricane forecasts and warnings.
• Baja California Peninsula: Information about the geographical region where Hurricane Norma made landfall.
• Hurricane Irma: Background on the 2017 hurricane that impacted Antigua and Barbuda.
• Tropical Storm Philippe: Information on the recent tropical storm that affected the same region.
• Antigua and Barbuda Government: The official website of the government of Antigua and Barbuda for updates and resources related to hurricane preparedness.