Hurricane Norma Targets Mexican Resorts in Los Cabos, While Tammy Escalates into a Hurricane in the Atlantic

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On Friday, Hurricane Norma intensified, once more evolving into a severe storm, and set its trajectory toward the dual vacation spots of Los Cabos, situated at the southernmost point of Mexico’s Baja California Peninsula in the Pacific Ocean.

Concurrently, in the Atlantic region, the U.S. National Hurricane Center announced that Tropical Storm Tammy had escalated to hurricane status, brandishing winds at a speed of 80 mph (130 kph). Hurricane advisories were promulgated for Guadeloupe, Antigua, Barbuda, Montserrat, and St. Kitts and Nevis.

The National Hurricane Center reported that Norma was carrying maximum sustained winds of 120 mph (195 kph) and was located approximately 145 miles (235 kilometers) to the south of Cabo San Lucas. Classified as a Category 3 hurricane, it was advancing in a north-northwestern direction at a pace of 9 mph (15 kph). The outer rain bands of the storm had already commenced in deluging the Baja peninsula.

Maribel Collins, the Secretary of Tourism for the state of Baja California Sur, noted that hotels in Los Cabos, predominantly patronized by international tourists, were still about 75% occupied, and a mass exodus by guests was not observed.

Due to the impending storm and the onset of rain in Los Cabos, several flights were annulled on Friday. Airports in the region are slated to remain shuttered for a portion of Saturday, as per information from the local civil defense authority.

Norma was predicted to impact both Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo commencing Saturday. As a preventive measure, the local port was sealed for all marine activity.

Victor Manuel Castro, the Governor of the state, emphatically cautioned residents to refrain from venturing outdoors. “No one should leave their homes post 6 or 7 in the evening,” Castro advised.

At the Cabo San Lucas marina, José Ceseña took precautionary steps to pull his tourism boat out of the water, citing the impracticality of risking his vessel with a hurricane imminent and the port closed.

State National Guard Commander Homero Blanco stated that the resort’s beaches were officially closed, and troops were dispatched to evacuate any remaining individuals from the coastal areas. “There were a handful of people on the beach this morning, who were respectfully asked to vacate,” said Blanco.

The federal administration deployed 500 marines to assist with storm preparedness in the resort area. Local municipal officials announced that as many as 39 emergency shelters would be established if required.

For the southern extremity of the Baja California Peninsula, a hurricane warning was in place. The projected path indicated that Norma, although weakened, would continue towards the western Pacific coast of mainland Mexico.

Additionally, Manzanillo’s Pacific coast port was closed to minor vessels as a safeguard, and some academic sessions in the state of Baja California Sur were canceled.

Although Norma was expected to diminish in intensity upon nearing land, it was not anticipated to weaken as substantially as initially projected.

John Cangialosi, a specialist at the National Hurricane Center, posited that the hurricane would persist in its northward movement into Saturday but would then decelerate significantly. “The storm should essentially stall near the southern section of the Baja California Peninsula,” he stated, underscoring concerns about substantial winds and torrential rains.

In the Atlantic, Hurricane Tammy was located about 55 miles (85 kilometers) to the east of Martinique and 135 miles (220 kilometers) to the southeast of the Caribbean island of Guadeloupe, progressing in a west-northwestern direction at 9 mph (15 kph).

Tammy was forecasted to maintain its hurricane status and potentially even intensify as it advanced toward the Lesser Antilles, passing through Guadeloupe, Antigua, and Barbuda over the course of Saturday. Both Martinique and Guadeloupe are French overseas territories.

Hurricane advisories were also disseminated for Anguilla, St. Maarten, St. Martin, and St. Barthelemy, in addition to the aforementioned islands.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Hurricane Norma and Tammy

More about Hurricane Norma and Tammy

• U.S. National Hurricane Center
• AP Climate and Environment Coverage
• Baja California Sur State Government
• Weather Forecast and Advisories
• Travel Updates and Closures
• Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
• International Travel Advisories
• Emergency Preparedness Guidelines
• Marine Safety and Port Closures
• Global Atmospheric Conditions
• Tropical Storm Risk Assessment