CABO HURRICANE ODILE 2014

Los Cabos
Disaster Relief Fund

HURRICANE ODILE 2014

CURRENT STATUS REPORT
LAST UPDATED 10/29/2014 5:00 AM MDT

We are Open and Accepting Reservations.
Most Tours are Already Running.
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*HURRICANE ODILE RECOVERY - CABO IS BACK!*

On September 13, 2014, it appeared as if Hurricane Odile would miss Los Cabos and we would experience only some wind and rain overnight. However, at the last minute the storm veered to the East and the night of September 14, Hurricane Odile hit a largely unprepared Cabo San Lucas directly as a powerful Category 3 Hurricane, the strongest hurricane ever to make landfall in the Baja Peninsula of Mexico.

Hurricane Odile hit with sustained winds of up to 125 mph, causing major damage to the city, the resorts, and the infrastructure of the entire state of Baja California Sur. An estimated 92% of the State's population was left without power or water, the biggest electrical disaster in the history of Mexico, according to the Mexican Electric Company (CFE). 30,000 tourists were in the Baja during the storm, but all returned home safely except those who (bless their hearts) opted to stay behind to help. Hurricane Odile was estimated to deliver nearly $1 Billion dollars (12 Billion Pesos) in economic losses.

THAT WAS THEN....THIS IS NOW

Recovery in a Nutshell...

Only 17 days after a major Hurricane, Los Cabos was already back in business. Airport, cruise ship port, streets, marina, beaches and water are all clean and open. Power is 100% restored and businesses from restaurants to fishing charters to tour operators to grocery stores and shops are reopening by the dozens every day. The airport is already back open and several airlines are already announcing flights will resume starting tomorrow. Locals say that they've never seen Cabo so clean. Don't believe us? See The Photos

Status Updates:

Los Cabos Int'l Airport (SJD): Open
Cabo San Lucas Airport (CSL): Open
La Paz Airport: Open
Cruise Ship Pier: Open
Power Restored: Completed
Water Restored: Completed
Phone Restored: Completed
Internet Restored: Completed
Sanitation Restored: Completed
Public Transportation: Resumed
Most CSL Hotels Reopening: October 1 through October 31

A few hotels and businesses were affected in a more serious way, particularly up the corridor toward San Jose del Cabo, and these businesses will take a little more time but will be back up by high season.

Airport Update

THE AIRPORT IS NOW OPEN

The Los Cabos International Airport (SJD) did not suffer any infrastructure damage, but there was damage to the terminals and to the control tower. The airport was open for about a week for humanitarian flights, then closed again to focus on repair. It then reopened for humanitarian flights for several more days, before announcing on Friday October 3 that it has now reopened for domestic and international flights, 5 days ahead of schedule. Interjet arrived from Mexico City at 11:35 AM on October 3, followed by AeroMexico, bringing 300 total passengers the first day. On October 8, 2014, the first international flights since Hurricane Odile arrived from Houston (United), followed by Los Angeles (Alaska).

The smaller Cabo San Lucas Airport did not suffer damage to the runways and has been operating since September 15. It is currently operating as normal without restrictions. The La Paz and Loreto Airports are operating normally.

Airline Update

The airport has reopened to domestic and international flights. However airlines will decide when to start flying again based on demand. It is strictly a business decision at that point. If enough people book flights and enough hotels are reopen to accommodate the guests, they will restart right away. If not, then they will wait until there is enough demand from the markets they serve. While you will be able to fly to Cabo, you may need to connect for a while until your direct flight resumes and your choices of flights will be more limited. The best way to get those flights going again is to BOOK!

How to Get to Cabo TODAY

Aeromexico and Interjet are already operating flights from Mexico City, United is flying from Houston and San Francisco, Alaska from Los Angeles, and Delta from Atlanta and Salt Lake City. This means you can already get to Cabo 1-stop from most major markets in the United States and Canada.

Already Operating:

Atlanta (Delta)
Calgary (WestJet)
Charlotte (US Airways)
Chicago (American)
Dallas (American)
Denver (Southwest)
Houston (United)
Los Angeles (Alaska, American, United)
Mexico City (AeroMexico, Interjet)
Phoenix (US Airways)
Salt Lake City (Delta)
San Francisco (United, Virgin America)
Southwest (Orange County)
Vancouver (WestJet)

Non-Stop Flights Resume

October 31: Dallas, San Diego (Spirit)
November 1: Denver (Frontier, United)
December 13: Newark (United)

Those routes with seasonal service will likely resume on their scheduled dates, typically November or December depending on the airline and demand. Check with your airline to see the date the route will begin running for the 2015 season. Keep in mind these routes may not operate every day.

Seasonal Cities

Austin (Southwest, United)
Calgary (Air Canada, Air Transat, Sunwing)
Chicago (American, United)
Detroit (Delta)
Edmonton (Sunwing, WestJet)
Kansas City (Frontier)
Kelowna (WestJet)
Minneapolis (Delta, Sun Country)
Montreal (Air Transat, Sunwing)
New York (AeroMexico)
Ottawa (Sunwing)
Regina (Sunwing)
Portland (Alaska)
San Diego (Alaska, Delta)
San Francisco (Alaska, United)
Saskatoon (Air Transat, Sunwing)
Seattle (Alaska, Delta)
Toronto (Air Canada, Sunwing)
Vancouver (Air Canada, Air Transat, Sunwing)
Victoria (Sunwing)
Washington DC (United)
Winnipeg (Sunwing, WestJet)

Utility Update

CABO IS BACK!

100% of power has been restored to Los Cabos and Baja California Sur.

(See CFE Press Release: "CFE Restores All Electricity of BCS")

The Mexican Electric Company (CFE) imported 5,664 workers, adding to the 525 workers already in Baja California Sur, for a total of 6,189 workers, along with 2,221 specialized vehicles. In only 17 days, CFE restored power to 292,000 residents (95% of the population) who were left without power after Hurricane Odile. Many are calling CFE and the water company (CONAGUA) the "Heroes of Odile", a very deserved title.

Hurricane Odile was the worst electrical disaster in the history of Mexico, nearly double the amount of damage to the infrastructure as devastating Hurricane Wilma in 2005. CFE somehow restored 7,971 damaged power poles, 1,353 damaged transformers, 534 damaged transmission towers and power to 292,000 residents in only 17 days. A truly heroic effort.

Telmex restored telecommunications within only a few days after Hurricane Odile, bringing thousands of workers and equipment to Baja California Sur as well as thousands of tons of humanitarian aid. CONAGUA successfully restored water to most of the population of Baja California Sur in barely a week after catastrophic damage to the water supply, filtration systems and desalination plants. None of this would have been possible without the support of PEMEX who fueled the efforts and of course incredible support and coordination of the Mexican government.

Security Update

After a couple of days of much publicized looting of stores, security forces quickly got things back in order. There is no security situation now in Cabo - it is as safe as ever.

Marina Update

Marina Cabo San Lucas suffered only minimal damage and no structural damage. Most fishing fleets report no damage to their boats, and several are reporting that they are already fishing. Most Marina area businesses have already reopened and all fishing tournaments going as scheduled, including the Los Cabos Billfish Tournament on October 14-18 and Bisbee's on October 21-25. The marina has fuel and will be fully restored shortly. It is already looking good - see the Marina Fiesta Webcam.

Marina Puerto Los Cabos reports they fared "extremely well" and only one yacht was notably damaged. All fishing tournaments going as scheduled.

The Cruise Ship Terminal was undamaged and cruise ships are have been arriving as normal since October 3.

Business Update

It has now come to the point where the list of Un-Opened restaurants and bars is shorter than the list of Opened ones, and getting shorter every day, so we will no longer be updating this list. Suffice it to say...Cabo is BACK! If you have a particular question about a specific establishment, Find us on Facebook.

The following restaurants and bars have reopened and have food and drinks available:

Agave Azul
Alcarevea Gourmet
Alexander
Asi y Asado (SJD)
Ay Ay Ay (SJD)
Baja Cantina Marina
Baja Cantina Medano Beach
Baja Cove (SJD)
Baja Beer Street
Bar Esquina
Beso Bar
Billygan's Island
Burger King
Burrito Surf
Cabo Bakery
Cabo Blue
Cabo Coffee
Cabo Cantina
Cabo Lounge
Cabo Wabo
Cafe Canela
Captain Tony's
Crazy Lobster
Daikoku
Don Sanchez
Edith's
El Callejon
El Squid Roe
Fahrenheit
Frank's Tacos
Gardenias
Giggling Bean
Giggling Marlin
Gordo Lele's
Habaneros
Happy Endings
Harbard
Invita Bistro
Jack's Bar & Grill
J&J Habano
Jungle Bar
La Davina
La Mezcalaria
La Palapa The Gus
La Pampa
La Taverna
La Vista
Las Guacamayas (SJD)

Lorenzillo's
Los Ajos
Los Deseos
Mango Cantina
Mango Deck
Maria Corona
Mariscos Torito
Mi Casa
Mis Suenos
Monkey Business
Nick San Cabo San Lucas
Nowhere Bar
Paco Loco
Pan di Bacco
Playoffs Sports Bar (SJD)
Puerto San Lucas
Ramuri
Retro Burger
Rico Suave
Rips Bar & Grill
Rockstone Tavern
Romeo & Julieta
7 Seas
Salvatore's
Sammy G's
Sammy's Island Bar & Grill
San Jose del Cabo Marisqueria
Santitos
Shrimp Factory
Sleepless Lobster
Solomon's Landing
Starbucks
Subway
Tacos El Paisa
Taco Loco
Tacos Gardenias
Tacos Rossy (SJD)
Tacqueria del Flaco (SJD)
Tequila House
The Office
Tropicana (SJD)
Two for the Road
Vfraiche
Villa Serena
Wicked Pizza
Wings Army (SJD)
World's Smallest Bar
Zippers

Not all open restaurants may be on this list. These are just the ones we know about. Other restaurants will remain closed until the tourists return since all of their clientele was tourists. Beach vendors have been being spotted again.

Banks and gas stations are open again and all of the area's grocery and supermarkets have reopened, including Costco, Wal-Mart, City Club, MEGA, Chedruai, Home Depot and Soriana.

Cabo San Lucas fishing charters are reporting they are already out fishing (including our trips!) and the famous Bisbee's tournament took place as scheduled. Most tour operators are open for business and we are accepting reservations.

The East Cape area was largely unaffected and those businesses are running as normal. La Paz is also back to normal operations.

Cruise Ship Update

CABO IS BACK!

Cabo hosted its first cruise ship since Hurricane Odile on October 3, when Holland America's Zuiderdam made port. Princess Cruises' Star Princess followed on October 4. We are currently accepting reservations for and providing shore excursions. Cabo is back open - welcome cruise passengers!

Golf Course Update

Cabo del Sol Golf Course is Open.

Cabo San Lucas Country Club is Open.

Club Campestre Golf Course is Open.

Diamante - Dunes Course opens November 1. Brand new El Cardonal Golf Course will open on December 16.

Puerto Los Cabos Golf Course is Open.

Los Cabos Golf Resort reports no damage to the course. Open.

Palmilla Golf Course sustained minimal damage. Still assessing.

Querencia Golf Course is Open.

Quivira Golf Course is Open.

Event Updates

The Los Cabos International Film Festival confirms the event will be held on November 12-16 as scheduled.

San Jose del Cabo's Art District and the popular Art Walk will open its season this October as scheduled, according to the President of the Historical Association.

Marina Cabo San Lucas and Marina Puerto Los Cabos have stated that all fishing tournaments are on as scheduled.

Humanitarian Update

Hundreds of tons of food and water arrived to the area by land and sea and distributed to those in need. The Mexican Red Cross led the efforts together with the military and collection stations that were set up throughout Mexico for goods. The Mexican Government has now issued a statement that as the stores are now re-stocked, and utilities and government services back and running again, additional emergency supplies are no longer needed and collection stations are being closed down. However there are thousands of homeless people in the colonies after the storm, and so many more who have lost so much that it will take much time to rebuild their lives. Many more are unemployed until the tourists return and in need of basic assistance to get them through.

The local relief organizations are still badly in need of funds to assist the families they represent. You can make a donation directly to the Mexican Red Cross through their website or by using a registered US based foundation such as the International Community Foundation who works together with the local relief agencies in Baja California Sur. The ICF successfully worked with their partners at the Inter-American Development Bank to solicit that organization to release $250,000 to the Mexican Red Cross for these efforts! Outstanding work.

There are so many great organizations that are trying to help in this difficult time. But you can only support so many, so it's only to choose those you trust and believe will make a real difference, and those that support a cause closest to your own heart.

We are currently supporting and fundraising for:

International Community Foundation - $52,097.78 in 22 Days
Sarahuaro Community - $91,305.00 in 22 Days
Solmar Foundation - $84.155.02 in 22 Days

Honorable Mention: Bisbee's Hurricane Relief
While we are focusing on our own choices, wow - what generosity toward Cabo - a $250,000 initial donation and fund raising of another $40,000.00 in only 4 days. Thank you Bisbees. Thank you.

Honorable Mention: YachtAid Global and Monica Page Logistics
These guys were amazing friends of Cabo throughout. They managed logistics and delivered food, supplies and clean water to the citizens of Cabo almost from Day 1. Without their efforts, this miraculous recovery of Cabo could never have been possible. Incredible work. Cabo is forever grateful.

Honorable Mention: Waves for Water
Amazing contribution. These guys were instrumental to getting clean drinking water to the nearly 300,000 people left without it in the days following Hurricane Odile. Amazing work. Cabo thanks you so much!

Honorable Mention: Alaska Airlines
Alaska Airlines has made a $20,000 donation to the Mexican Red Cross, and has provided much-needed airlift of humanitarian and evacuation support. They are also the first U.S. airline to announce flights back to Cabo, and have been an amazing partner of Cabo throughout.

There are many other unofficial organizations collecting funds as well, which is great. Many of these are wonderful Friends of Cabo trying to make a difference. Just make sure you know who you are donating to, do your homework and ensure that there is an action plan to get the funds into Cabo in an efficient and transparent fashion.

And of course thank you SO MUCH to everyone who worked so hard to collect much-needed donations and to get the word out about how everyone could help in the immediate aftermath and kept everyone in the loop during the recovery! Cabo loves you!!!!

How Else You Can Help

While the tourist infrastructure will be up and going strong by October, the humanitarian needs of the local people will be high for much longer. The needs of the local people are great, and without income it will be very difficult for them to recover.

Now that the airport is open again, there is perhaps no better way to contribute to the recovery than with your tourist dollars. Every margarita you drink or taco you eat gives a hotel or restaurant worker a job, who then uses that money to buy things at the store, giving the store employee a job and money to spend to buy things at another store, and so on. The impact is felt through this small community in so many ways. Cabo needs you, especially in this already low season. We hope to see you in Cabo very soon!.

And of course please share this page and others with those that you know and help get the word out that CABO IS BACK! See The Photos

Impact on Your Tours

Almost all of our tours and our airport transfers are now back up and running. We are open and accepting reservations! While not every tour is back running just yet, most are, and by the time you visit nearly all of them will be! By making your reservations in advance, you are also getting badly needed funds directly to the tour companies and their families in their time of greatest need.

We hope to have the chance to serve you this year here in Cabo, but if you will be changing your vacation plans to another location in Mexico, we would love to have you join us for some fun in one of our other locations such as Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan, Cancun, Cozumel or Playa del Carmen.

Hotel Damage & Reopening Updates

Many hotels in Cabo fared pretty well during the storm, reporting only minor damage. Some resorts are already open for business as usual and ready to host you. However, some still have some clean-up to do which will keep them closed until about October 15th. A few were heavily damaged and will remain closed until October 31 or longer. Here is a list of the official estimates and reports we have received so far:

Bahia Hotel - Only minimal damage. Open.

Bel Air Collection - No structural damage. November 1.

Barcelo Grand Faro - Open.

Best Western Aeropuerto - November 2

Cabo Azul - January 15

Cabo Pulmo Resort - Minimal damage. Open.

Cabo Surf Hotel - Minimal damage. Open.

Cabo Villas - Minimal damage. Open.

Capella Pedral - January 15

Casa del Mar - November 15

Casa Dorada - Open

Club Cascadas - October 30

Club Regina - December 1

Club Solaris - November 15

Dreams Los Cabos - Sustained cosmetic damages and substantial debris, yet no serious structural damages. December 20.

East Cape Resorts - Very minor damage, fully operational. Out fishing.

East Cape RV - Only three trees down and no major damage to trailers or palapas, and no damage to boats.

El Encanto Inn - November 15

El Ganzo - Still Assessing, but their Container Restaurant is Open.

Esperanza - March 1

Fiesta Americana Los Cabos - November 15 for a big group, then November 23 for individual reservations.

Grand Mayan Los Cabos - Last report was approximately November 23 but still assessing.

Grand Solmar - Open

Hacienda Beach Club - Open

Hacienda del Mar - November 1

Hacienda Encantada - Minimal Damage. Open.

Hilton Los Cabos - March 1

Holiday Inn - December 15

Holiday Inn Express Los Cabos - Open

Hotel California (Todos Santos) - Open

Hotel Los Pescadores - Open

Hotel Los Milagros - Open

Hotel Suites Las Palmas - Open

Hyatt Place - July 1

Hyatt Ziva - Still Assessing. Taking Reservations Beginning April 30.

Las Ventanas - Still Assessing

Los Barrilles - Very minor damage. Fully operational.

Los Cabos Golf Resort - No serious damage, just cosmetic. Open.

Marbella Suites - December 1

Mar de Cortez - Minimal damage. Open.

Marina Fiesta - Open.

ME Cabo - Still Assessing. Will announce a reopen date later this year. Los Cabos Tourism puts the reopen date as February 2015. Other reports say March.

Melia Cabo Real - Still Assessing. Los Cabos Tourism puts a reopen date at January 1 but only bookable as of July 1.

One & Only Palmilla - March 15

Playa Grande - Open.

Posada Real Los Cabos - Open.

Pueblo Bonito Los Cabos - No structural damage, just cleanup. Open.

Pueblo Bonito Montecristo Estates - No structural damage, just cleanup. Open.

Pueblo Bonito Rose - No structural damage, just cleanup. Open.

Pueblo Bonito Pacifica - No structural damage, just cleanup. Open.

Pueblo Bonito Sunset Beach - No structural damage, just cleanup. Open.

Quinta del Sol - Open

Rancho Leonoro - Minimal damage. Fully operational. Out fishing.

The Ridge - Open.

Riu Palace - Open

Riu Santa Fe - Open

Royal Decameron - December 10

Royal Solaris - November 15

Sandos Finisterra - November 1

Secrets Marquis - Sustained cosmetic damages and substantial debris, yet no serious structural damages. December 20.

Secrets Puerto Los Cabos - Cosmetic damage and debris, no structural damage. November 15.

Sheraton - November 1

Siesta Suites - Only 4 rooms affected. Open.

Sirena del Mar - Still Assessing but Taking Reservations as of March 1. Los Cabos Tourism puts their reopen date at January 1.

Solmar - Open.

Tropicana Inn - Open

Ventanas Residences - Open including their Portus Boat (Cruising and Fishing), Santitos Restaurant and La Purisma Spa.

Villa del Arco - Minimal damage. Open and 100% Operational.

Villa del Palmar - Minimal damage. Open and 100% Operational.

Villa La Estancia - Minimal damage. Open and 100% Operational.

Westin - March 1

Worldmark Coral Baja - January 31

Wyndham - "Unaffected". Open.

Zoetry - Cosmetic damage and debris, no structural damage. December 20.

Our Recommendations

Cabo is now ready, anxious for, and in need of mass touristic arrivals. Power, water, internet, telephone and cell service are back to normal. Most businesses are already reopening and will be open for your arrival. The beaches, marina, water, and tourist areas are all clean and ready to host you and the sun is shining - both literally and figuratively - in Cabo once again!

In October, there will still be some work going on in Cabo, but as long as your resort is open for business, there will still be plenty to enjoy. You will truly be surprised to see how quickly Cabo has been restored, given the severity of the hit. A few resorts and businesses may be closed until a bit later in the fall, but will be reopen and ready to go for high season this winter. If your resort of choice is not yet open, use this opportunity to try out another resort - you never know, you might like it even better!

Currently Cabo San Lucas is a couple weeks ahead of San Jose del Cabo and the Corridor in recovery, so in these early days of October you may want to consider to stay closer to Cabo San Lucas for maximum availability of attractions, restaurants, bars and entertainment.

The beaches, the sunshine, the pool, the food, and the margaritas will all be here. The marina is clean and open and most boats were unharmed. Restaurants, bars, shops, tours and attractions are reopening by the dozens every day. And of course, the local business people really need economic support in these early days.

Don't believe us? See The Photos

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