Los Cabos Hotels Suffer Very Little Damage From Hurricane Norma

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Last Updated 12 months ago

Los Cabos took a near direct hit from Hurricane Norma over the weekend, hitting nearby Pozo de Cota west-northwest of the area as a category one hurricane.

The general region was hit hard by the storm, with a disaster declaration made by the State of Baja California Sur governor.

However, the silver lining is that the resorts and hotels that are the main income drivers for the region actually suffered very little damage from the wrath of Norma.

Resorts and Hotels Faired Well

According to Los Cabos Hotel Association Executive President Lilz Orcí Fregoso, the resorts and hotels have started cleaning and repairing their properties for the upcoming fall and winter peak travel season.

Additionally, she said that members of the association only reported minor leaks and some cosmetic damage to the properties in Los Cabos, especially the hotel grounds, as the impact of Hurricane Norma.

This was despite the properties being hit by 80-mile-per-hour winds, driving rain and floodwaters for most of the last weekend.

Advanced Planning Worked

At the beginning of the hurricane season, the resorts and hotels in Los Cabos reviewed their hurricane plans in conjunction with the forecast, expecting a busy tropical weather season in the area.

They worked closely with the local Los Cabos municipal civil protection officials to go over the plans, make sure all of the equipment was ready, and reviewed the structural integrity of the local resorts and hotels.

This advanced planning appeared to work as there was only minor impact to the tourist properties from Hurricane Norma.

Infrastructure is the Issue

While the resorts and hotels in Los Cabos fared well from the impact of Hurricane Norma, the roads and other infrastructure did not have such success.

Public works officials were out inspecting local roads and bridges and moving workers into position to quickly make repairs in the most affected areas.

This is where there was a more significant impact on the hotel zone and other areas that directly affect tourists.

The good news was that it appears the main artery between the tourist zone and the Los Cabos International Airport appeared to be in pretty good shape, and the airport was quickly allowed to restart operations for travelers.

That included a municipal public works review of both the Transpeninsular Highway as well as the Los Cabos toll road bypass to the airport.

Hurricane Season Still in Effect

According to the United States National Weather Service Hurricane Center, there is still more than a month until the end of the Pacific Hurricane Season.

Therefore, there is still a possibility for a late-season strong hurricane, or at least a tropical weather system to impact the Los Cabos area.

Resort and hotel operators will take the time to review their planning and restock their emergency supplies to prepare to take care of visitors to the beach resort destination during the next tropical weather system.

Tips for Tourists

Los Cabos travelers should be comfortable knowing that the resorts and hotels in the tourist zone of Los Cabos handled the impact of Hurricane Norma with only minor issues, such as cosmetic damage to the grounds and a few leaks.

With one more month to go until the end of the Pacific Hurricane Season, travelers to Los Cabos should be prepared for additional tropical weather systems to hit while the season is still in effect.

Normally, late-season storms are not as common as peak-season storms. However, with the warming of the oceans connected to an El Nino effect, all bets are off for this season.

There is even a possibility of tropical weather beyond the end of the normal season, which will take place on November 30.

It is still recommended that visitors to Los Cabos purchase travel insurance to protect themselves from the impacts of the tropical weather season for at least the next couple of months.