Tropical Storm Ileana has prompted residents and tourists in Mexico’s popular Los Cabos region to remain indoors as heavy rain battered the southern tip of the Baja California peninsula. According to the U.S. National Hurricane Center, Ileana moved northward over the southern Gulf of California on Saturday at 9 mph (15 kph) with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph (65 kph). The storm was located approximately 75 miles (115 km) north-northeast of Cabo San Lucas.
A tropical storm warning remains in effect for parts of the Baja California Peninsula, including Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo. Meteorologists forecasted 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 cm) of rain, with coastal areas of Michoacan, Colima, and Jalisco states potentially receiving up to 12 inches (30 cm). This heavy rainfall raises concerns about flash flooding and mudslides across western Mexico and southern Baja California.
Los Cabos Civil Protection official Juan Manuel Arce Ortega announced that the municipalities of La Paz and Los Cabos are on red alert, with efforts underway to inform residents and facilitate evacuations to temporary shelters. Ortega also urged locals to avoid crossing rivers, streams, or low-lying areas due to the risk of being swept away by rising waters.
Schools in Los Cabos were closed on Friday as a precaution. Oscar Cruces Rodríguez of Mexico’s federal Civil Protection urged residents to stay indoors until the storm passes and to seek temporary shelter if they are in flood-prone areas.
Authorities in Los Cabos have prepared 20 temporary shelters in San Jose del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas to accommodate residents in need.
At the Hacienda Beach Club and Residences in Cabo San Lucas, valet worker Alan Galvan reported that the rain started late Thursday night and has continued steadily. “The rain isn’t very strong right now, but the waves are choppy,” Galvan said. “Guests are calm, and some have come down for coffee. There have been flight cancellations, but everything is stable at the moment.” He added that they are awaiting further updates from authorities.
By Friday afternoon, rain continued to fall steadily in Los Cabos, leading to flooded streets. Some resorts have begun stacking sandbags around their properties as a precaution, while a few residents and tourists were still seen walking near boat docks with umbrellas in hand.
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Lyzzette Liceaga, a tour operator in Los Cabos, emphasized the importance of safety, particularly for workers in at-risk areas. “We make sure our colleagues who live in vulnerable areas receive updates from authorities, including firefighters, so they can evacuate to shelters if needed,” Liceaga said.
