CABO SAN LUCAS, Mexico (AP): After being reclassified as a tropical storm on Sunday, Norma heightened slightly while moving further into mainland Mexico, delivering substantial rainfall. This follows minor destruction inflicted by Hurricane Tammy on the Caribbean island of Barbuda.
Originating as a Category 4 hurricane, Norma entered the land near Los Cabos, a Pacific resort at the southern extremity of the Baja California Peninsula in Mexico, as a Category 1. The storm resulted in power outages for tens of thousands of residents.
The storm’s strong winds persisted in causing harm as it traveled northeast, crossing the Gulf of California towards Sinaloa, mainland Mexico. Schools in this region were suspended for Monday and numerous shelters were established in Sinaloa and adjacent Sonora, capable of accommodating about 13,000 individuals.
The U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami reported on Sunday evening that Norma was approximately 120 miles (195 kilometers) west of Culiacan and around 65 miles (105 kilometers) south-southwest of Los Mochis. The storm slightly regained its strength while traversing northeastward across the Gulf of California, with maximum sustained winds of 65 mph (100 kph).
Forecasters alerted to the possibility of rainfall reaching up to 18 inches (45 centimeters) in certain regions on Monday. “These rains will likely outcome in flash floods and urban flooding, in adding to mudslides in elevated regions,” the hurricane center cautioned.
In Los Cabos, toppled trees obstructed several streets, however, with no substantial damage, tourists began to resurface, some with plans to depart.
“We’ve been informed that the airport has reopened and we want to return to San Diego, now that the threat from the hurricane has passed,” stated Henry Brown, a US resident, waiting for a taxi to take him and his wife to the San Jose del Cabo airport, which reopened in the morning.
Brown affirmed that the winds were quite severe on Saturday, but they were unscathed as they stayed sheltered in the hotel.
Some like Noah Johnson, an American, and his family stepped out for a stroll to inspect the post-storm condition of the beach but were ready to continue with their vacation, set to end on Tuesday, despite the closure of several restaurants and businesses.
However, further north in La Paz, the capital of Baja California Sur, flights were not operational due to heavy rainfall that led to the airport’s closure. Debris-filled water streams crisscrossed many highways causing blockades at several entry points to the city. Security forces patrolled the area to assist those in need.
Approximately 400 passengers remained stranded on a ferry in the city’s bay, traveling from Sinaloa to Baja California Sur, caught up in the storm. Disembarkation remains on hold as the port is still closed, reported Santiago Jorge Morgado, the Fourth Naval Region commander in La Paz.
So far, the Baja California Sur authorities, with only one tourist from Argentina injured, have reported no fatalities. The primary destruction was to boats, with three reported to have capsized, Morgado added.
The Mexican navy confirmed the deployment of 5,000 marines to provide relief in the states impacted by Norma, equipped with ships, helicopters, trucks, food, water, and first aid equipment.
Leeward Islands Face Hurricane Tammy’s Wrath
Over the weekend, Hurricane Tammy, with steady winds of up to 85 mph, persisted in the Atlantic, according to a late Saturday evening update from the National Hurricane Center. Projections show that Tammy could gradually gain strength in the coming days.
The Leeward Islands, including Antigua and Barbuda, are bracing for the impact of the storm throughout Saturday night. The following day, the storm is predicted to track northwards, away from the northern Leeward Islands. The hurricane’s power extends up to 25 miles from its core, with tropical storm-level winds reaching as far as 125 miles.
Late October hurricanes are a rarity in this region of the Atlantic, making Tammy an exceptional occurrence. Michael Lowry, a hurricane specialist, notes that Tammy is only the third hurricane to emerge so far southeast in the Atlantic since the 1900s. Furthermore, Phil Klotzbach, a scientist at Colorado State University’s Department of Atmospheric Science, states that it is the latest-forming hurricane in this part of the Atlantic since 1966.
Earlier, experts signaled that uniquely warm Atlantic temperatures could lead to hurricanes developing in unexpected areas later in the season. The Leeward Islands could witness a storm surge of up to 3 feet due to Tammy.
One of the most significant threats from this hurricane is heavy precipitation, which could lead to flash floods and landslides. Rainfall across the Leeward Islands could range from 4 to 8 inches, with the possibility of reaching 12 inches in heavily affected areas. Lighter rainfall, likely between 1 to 2 inches, is expected in Puerto Rico and the British and US Virgin Islands.
The weather is expected to start clearing up from the south towards the north across the island chain by late Sunday as the storm shifts north.
With Hurricane Tammy brewing, only two names remain – Vince and Whitney – on the conventional Atlantic storm name list. If the list is exhausted, the hurricane center will shift to an alternate set of names.
