BAJA CALIFORNIA SUR, Mexico
Hurricane Odile made landfall at the southernmost point of Baja California Sur late Sunday evening/early Monday morning (Sept. 15), resulting in massive damage to the Los Cabos resort region that is popular with tourist, meeting and incentive groups.
The Category 3 hurricane struck Cabo San Lucas the hardest and also caused damage in San Jose Del Cabo, where the Westin Resort & Spa Los Cabos, Hilton Los Cabos Beach & Golf Resort and Club Regina Los Cabos are located, alongside several other resort properties.
Many hotels in the area reported damage that included collapsed walls and ceilings, broken windows and doors, and even a fire that had broken out as a result of the record-setting destruction caused by the hurricane's 125 mph winds.
According to recent updates from The Weather Channel, "the storm is continuing to move north-northwest roughly along the axis of Baja California," but is expected to lose strength as it continues north over the next couple days. Beyond the hotels and resorts, damage extended to homes, hotels, businesses, hospitals and infrastructure in Los Cabos and La Paz, but no casualties have been reported, according to authorities.
Meanwhile, in the southwest desert region of the United States, which was already hit by heavy rains and flash flooding as a result of former Hurricane Norbert, residents are bracing for more of the same, primarily in central, southeast Arizona, southern New Mexico and extreme west Texas (near and east of El Paso). Other parts of California, Nevada, Arizona, Utah and Colorado may experience severe weather.
The Weather Channel is currently displaying live updates on the damage in Baja California via its website. Meetings Focus will also provide any major updates as they become available.
