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Odile Threatens Baja Anchorages

Shortly before 11 p.m. Sunday night, the leading edge of Hurricane Odile, then a Category 3 ‘major’ hurricane covering an unusually large area, hit Cabo San Lucas and the southern tip of the Baja peninsula. Wind speeds reached 125 mph (108 knots), thus tying her with Hurricane Olivia of 1967 as having the highest wind speeds of any storm to strike the Baja Peninsula. Perhaps even more devastating than the winds, though, the storm generated as much as 12 inches of rain in one hour. In addition to the local population of Cabo, an estimated 30,000 tourists hunkered down to ride out the storm, which reportedly did major structural damage. No word yet on injuries or loss of life.

The only good news about Odile is that she is rapidly weakening as she moves north. 

© 2014 NOAA

Now downgraded to Category 2, Odile’s strength began to weaken as it hit the Baja California land mass. At one point before making landfall, it had reportedly reached Category 4 status (130-156 mph). As of 8 a.m. this morning, the eye of the storm was passing just west of La Paz, moving to the northwest at 14 mph, and packing winds up to 100 mph (86 knots). Hurricane-force winds extend roughly 500 miles from the eye, with tropical storm-force winds extending 200 miles from the center. At the time of this posting, Odile was passing ENE of Cabo San Lazaro, at Bahia Santa Maria — the Baja Ha-Ha rally’s favorite stopping place.

Odile’s projected track would take her up the Baja Peninsula through Puerto Escondido and Santa Rosalia, two centers of the small summer cruising fleet. Odile, at somewhat reduced strength, is expected to hit these areas sometime Tuesday, but forecasters theorize that its strength may be greatly reduced by then. Current forecasts suggest that vessels on the mainland side of the Sea of Cortez might be spared. As the accompanying graphic shows, Odile has taken an abnormally straight path thus far. The Los Cabos area is home to the 380-berth IGY Marina Cabo San Lucas and the 200-berth Puerto Los Cabos Marina. Both have withstood 100-knot winds of previous hurricanes. They might not be so lucky with the larger and stronger Odile.

Judging by Odile’s remarkably straight track, it almost seemed as though she was gunning for Baja. 

© 2014 NOAA

La Paz, 90 miles to the north, is another story, as it is the summer home of roughly 1,000 recreational sailing boats, and its marinas have seen big damage in the past. There is also a large cruiser anchorage, where some boats are stored with no crew aboard. Not surprisingly, we have not been able to reach either Cabo or La Paz marinas this morning for direct reports. It will probably be days before the full extent of the damage is known. If you have a firsthand report, please contact Latitude here

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