After the storm: A trip through Baja in the Wake of Hurrcane Odile

A week later, our friend Miguel reported damages to our place in San Jose
A week later, our friend Miguel reported damages to our place in San Jose
So we loaded up two SUVs with lumber, tools, food for ourselves and friends ...
So we loaded up two SUVs with lumber, tools, food for ourselves and friends ...
…and made the 1600 mi trek through Baja
…and made the 1600 mi trek through Baja
Lots of plywood to secure windows
Lots of plywood to secure windows
Lumber for every framing possibility. Donated extras to the Cabo humane society
Lumber for every framing possibility. Donated extras to the Cabo humane society
The desert had turned into a lush prairie of grass, with fat burros and foxes and snakes
The desert had turned into a lush prairie of grass, with fat burros and foxes and snakes
Jacqui in front, Pete behind, with walkie talkies for communication
Jacqui in front, Pete behind, with walkie talkies for communication
Highway 1 had been washed out in many places.
Highway 1 had been washed out in many places.
Somewhere on the Sea of Cortez
Somewhere on the Sea of Cortez
Fresh ceviche for brunch in Ensenada
Fresh ceviche for brunch in Ensenada
In the heart of the desert is Catavina, a magical place
In the heart of the desert is Catavina, a magical place
We always bring a bag of dog food for friends we make along the way
We always bring a bag of dog food for friends we make along the way
Lots of exterior damage to our complex at the Vista Encanto
Lots of exterior damage to our complex at the Vista Encanto
The majority of cars had window damage. The tarps I brought down came in handy
The majority of cars had window damage. The tarps I brought down came in handy
Flying roof tiles had done a lot of the damage
Flying roof tiles had done a lot of the damage
Many of the beach resorts were trashed. No windows left.
Many of the beach resorts were trashed. No windows left.
Pete channeling his carpentry days as a youth
Pete channeling his carpentry days as a youth
Even created a workable sliding patio door
Even created a workable sliding patio door
Thousands of electrical repair trucks using this arroyo as base. Note the first cruise ship.
Thousands of electrical repair trucks using this arroyo as base. Note the first cruise ship.
Thousands of Federal Police came to provide security. They will be there for months.
Thousands of Federal Police came to provide security. They will be there for months.
Hard to see the cacti. Nothing but green grass.
Hard to see the cacti. Nothing but green grass.
The Oasis Inn, Loreto
The Oasis Inn, Loreto
Fishermen waiting for their panga at dawn in Loreto
Fishermen waiting for their panga at dawn in Loreto

On Sept 15, 2014 Hurricane Odile hit the Los Cabos area as a Category 4 hurricane--the most intense recorded for Baja in the post-satellite era. Above left, the video shows Odile as it hits our place in San Jose del Cabo. Above right, the video shows the immediate aftermath in our San Jose neighborhood. It took more than a week for us to get contact from friends down there, and it was clear that our place had been damaged, and people were going through very tough conditions.