Associated Press
CABO SAN LUCAS, Mexico — A weakened Tropical Storm Juliette lost power Saturday as it lingered over the southern tip of Baja California after causing heavy flooding and killing three people.
Winds that roared in at 85 mph slowed to about 50 mph, and rain stopped over Cabo San Lucas, a resort city of 25,000 people on the southern end of the peninsula.
The government news agency Notimex reported that the storm had destroyed a hotel in Cabo San Lucas, the Country Club, and that two of its employees were missing. The report could not immediately be confirmed.
Floodwaters that had cut off about 3,000 people in three neighborhoods dropped rapidly. Some businesses reopened as workers filled wheelbarrows with debris and removed protective tape and boards from windows.
Electricity was restored to parts of the city by midafternoon, but power was still out in many areas, phone service was limited and the city lost all running water after its water mains broke.
Red Cross workers said they had not been able to contact the city of Todos Santos, where the storm was believed to have touched land, about 45 miles north of Cabo San Lucas.
Most of the luxury beachfront hotels in Cabo San Lucas sustained only minor damage, and many tourists stayed hunkered down inside with no immediate hope of getting home.
The airport in nearby San Jose del Cabo remained closed and Juliette washed out a portion of the El Tule bridge, cutting off the main access route to the rest of the peninsula. Floodwaters also blocked smaller roads leading out of the city.
"I just want to go home," said Pam Doph, 44, of Las Vegas, standing next to a washed-out section of highway about six miles from the damaged bridge. "Oh my stars. At this point, I’ll carry my suitcase and just walk out of here. Las Vegas is looking good right now."
Copyright ©2001 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.