Hurricane Rick did reach Category 5, peaking at 180 mph. Rick’s track still threatens to stir up Cabo San Lucas, disrupting a major sport fishing tournament in the process. However, Rick is slowing down as predicted.
By the time we read one prediction, a news agency has posted a different one. Suffice it to say, they cannot predict exactly where Hurricane Rick will touch land but the general consensus is wind force will be somewhere between 80 and 110 mph.
That’s still a fearsome gale, if you’re caught in it. We endured 100 mph winds during a freak hurricane in Washington State three Decembers ago. Power was out all over the region ranging from a few days to three weeks, with much property damage and several deaths. Crews were brought from Canada and other states to help with cleanup and repair.
There are fewer trees to land on power lines in Baja, but flood from the rains that come with hurricanes causes major damage after the winds have passed. Concentrated water gushes down the valleys from mountain peaks into towns and cities such as Los Cabos and La Paz. Streets become rivers.
By tomrrow night we should know where Hurricane Rick has landed and how residents and property will fare. Prayers can only help!