As more cell and internet service has been coming on line on the East Cape, we are getting a better picture of how the aftermath of Odile is unfolding. The good news is confirmation that the Los Barriles and La Ribera area came through fairly unscathed. As there is no electricity yet and no business to be conducted in town, the locals are cleaning up the wind blown debris in preparation for the opening of the airport and the return to normal life. I am so greatly impressed with the sense of community that I get with every update from our friends on the East Cape. The pictures that have been sent our way from the East Cape look far different than the one we are seeing from Cabo, San Jose or la Paz. While the folks on the East Cape are waiting for the power grid to fire up, they at least have their homes, cars and personal possessions in place. The hotels are ready to serve their clients, the North Americans that live here part or full time have homes to return to. The economy will recover once the air port reopens. It is a different world around Cabo. Homes and businesses are gone, there are long lines for food and water, cell service is limited. the infrastructure and hotels will not be ready to support the tourist trade for some time. We indeed are very lucky. Updates: The road is now open from Cabo, through la Paz and on to Loreto where many stranded tourists are being bussed up from Cabo to fly out. The Santa Rosalia area was hard hit as Odile crossed back over the Sea of Cortez on its way to Sonora. I a hearing that Mulege suffered flooding and that gas, and food are in short supply there. From there the road north is in bad shape. We have not had much intel from the Todos Santos to Los Cerritos corridor. From the little we have gleaned it appears that a number of homes are gone and many badly damaged. I spoke at length with Sergio Garcia in Lopez Mateos. He related that the area receive some wind damage, but all in all they came through with little long term damage. The Mexican Military and Navy, along with civil defense and power company workers have flooded into the area to assist the homeless, pass out water and food and repair the electrical grid. Power is returning to parts of la Paz and the Cabo area. Military air craft are transporting folks to other air ports in Mexico. We have heard that Alaska airline is expecting to fly in on the 28th to assist in evacuating their passengers. Rumors vary on when normal flight operations can resume. We have received many calls and emails about how to best help the local people. In the Los Barriles area I am not hearing that the folks are wanting for much beyond getting the power back on and the chance to go back to work. There fore the best thing you can do is if you planned a vacation here, come on ahead. Once the airport is open the area is as safe as always and you will find life as normal on the East Cape. Getting the economy going here again is like a seed that grows with a little rain in the desert, the green spreading across the dry land. You my friends are that seed. Best wishes Mike
Posted on: Fri, 19 Sep 2014 15:23:32 +0000
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