Authorities in Mexico’s resort-studded Los Cabos area warned tourists and residents alike to stay inside Friday as Tropical Storm Ileana began to pound the southern tip of the Baja California peninsula with rain.
Ileana formed Thursday off the Pacific coast of Mexico and was lumbering north-northwest at 8 mph, according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center. The forecast path would take it over or near the twin resorts of San Jose del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas.
Ileana was centered about 55 miles southeast of Cabo San Lucas, the center said in a Friday morning advisory. Maximum sustained winds were at 45 mph, and Ileana was expected to reach the coast in the next few hours.
A tropical storm warning was in effect for portions of the Baja California peninsula, including Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo. Forecasters predicted 4 to 6 inches of rain would fall with Ileana, and up to 12 inches was possible for coastal areas of Michoacan, Colima and Jalisco states through Friday.
Ileana is expected to move across the southern portion of the Baja California peninsula Friday and over the southern and central Gulf of California this weekend.
Los Cabos Civil Protection issued a red alert for Los Cabos and La Paz on Friday morning. “Stay totally indoors, do not go outside until authorities advise, and be aware of alerts issued by authorities,” they shared on Facebook.
They also urged residents to avoid crossing rivers, streams and low areas where they can be swept away by water.
All schools in Los Cabos were also suspended Friday because of the storm.
Óscar Cruces Rodríguez of Mexico’s federal Civil Protection said in a statement that residents should avoid leaving their homes until the storm passes and if residents are in an area at risk of flooding to find temporary shelters.
Authorities prepared 20 temporary shelters in San Jose del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas, according to Los Cabos Civil Protection.
At the Hacienda Beach Club and Residences in Cabo San Lucas, valet worker Alan Galvan said the rain arrived late Thursday night and has been constant. “The rain isn’t very strong right now, but the waves are choppy,” he said.
“The guests are very calm and already came down for coffee,” Galvan said. “There’s some flights canceled but everything is OK at the moment.” Galvan said they are awaiting further advisories from authorities.
Felipe Gomez, a worker at the Vibrant Cabo San Lucas Marina Restaurant, was the first to arrive at work, but was awaiting orders from management on whether they would close.
“Honestly it’s pretty ugly right now, the whole main boulevard is flooded and all the businesses are closed,” he said.
“I’m waiting for them to confirm and then I’ll go home,” he said. “I hope it gets better and conditions don’t worsen.”
Barba writes for the Associated Press.