I've been reading the comments on another blog from a woman living in Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur, Mexico. That community is facing category 5 hurricane Jimena. The storm is projected to hit September 1, 2009 at 7 AM.

The woman, Nariachi Mama, writes this:

live in Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur, Mexico.

We have a big ass hurricane headed our way. It may get ugly, in fact I am sure it will get ugly. I am ready for no electricity, the dengue outbreak after it passes and the lack of tourists after that will further decimate this already struggling community. It is not helpful to read comments that Cabo should evacuate. Where would we go?

Cabo San Lucas and our sister city, San Jose del Cabo are located at the very end of the Baja Penninsula. It's about 20 miles between the two towns, and the corridor between them is filled with resorts and private residences. I am not sure of the population here, but I suspect it is around 150,000.

We can't flee. The only road north is Mex Hwy 1, a two lane that is crossed by many arroyos, dry most of the time, but even with a moderate storm, those arroyos become raging rivers. The drive up the penninsula is full of vast empty places, gas stations are few and far between, in fact even under normal conditions, obtaining gas can be iffy.

Very few here can afford to jump on an airplane and fly out.

I am lucky. I live in a well built house on a hill. Thousands live in low lying areas in shacks made of plywood and corrugated metal, but thankfully the government has mandatory evacuation to shelters for these people and the army is doing that just now.

Yes, I'm ranting, but I have gotten a bit pissed about some of the comments by people who seem to have no idea about the geography and the conditions."

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2009/8/31/775002/-Jimena-and-me


-snip-

Mariachi Mom's comments refers to this previous dailykos diary in which a number of people strongly encouraged her to evacuate. In response to this new diary, people have been offerring prayers and well wishes to her and to others in that area. They also have posted suggestions of what to do to prepare for a hurricane and survival tips for afterwards. I'll re-posts some of these suggestions on this forum.

I also send my prayers and well wishes to Mariachi Mom, and anyone else who is facing a natural disaster.