Storm Ileana, initially categorized as a tropical storm, weakened to a tropical depression, according to the National Hurricane Center’s recent update. The storm first developed off Mexico’s Pacific coast and made landfall in the Mexican state of Sinaloa after hitting the resort-filled Los Cabos area. The storm’s wind speed decreased to 35 mph (55 kph) on Sunday, situated around 30 miles (45 kilometers) southwest of Los Mochis, Mexico, and moving at a slow pace of 2 mph (4 kph) towards the west-northwest. The NOAA anticipates Ileana to transition into a remnant low, characterized by sustained winds below 34 knots.
Warnings were issued on Friday for regions of the Baja California Peninsula, such as Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo. In response to the approaching storm, local authorities in La Paz and Los Cabos suspended classes in schools. Additionally, preparations were made, including setting up 20 temporary shelters in San Jose del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas, as reported by Los Cabos Civil Protection.
Residents in the affected areas experienced continuous rainfall, causing some roads to flood and prompting resorts to fortify their perimeters with sandbags. Despite the inclement weather, some individuals were observed walking around boat docks with umbrellas. Safety precautions were paramount, according to Lyzzette Liceaga, a tour operator at Los Cabos, who emphasized the importance of checking on colleagues residing in high-risk zones.
Meanwhile, in other parts of the United States, post-tropical cyclone Francine led to heavy showers, while Tropical Storm Gordon emerged in the Atlantic Ocean. Forecasters projected Gordon to remain over open waters for an extended period after its formation on Friday.
