Relatives Fear For Family In Hurricane-Ravaged Cabo As Mexican Government Evacuates Stranded Tourists
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — The Mexican government is starting to evacuate stranded tourists from Cabo San Lucas after Hurricane Odile struck the region, damaging the city's airport.
But back at home, relatives remain anxious about the well-being of their loved ones, with vacationers left stranded in areas so flooded the only way out is to wait for a flight.
Brittany Strametz of Playa Vista told KCAL9's Kristine Lazar that her sister, Shannon, and brother-in-law, Ryan, are among those unable to return home at the moment.
She last heard via text message Monday that Shannon, 28, and her husband were in a shelter at their hotel, their rooms destroyed and supplies running low.
"I feel like I could cry at any second. It's really scary not knowing," Brittany said.
"They can't drink the water, obviously. They have no running water, so there are no toilets. There is nothing. And I'm worried about sanitary conditions. She said yesterday that they were down to pretty much like white bread."
Photos of the destruction left behind by Hurricane Odile at the airport, which could remain closed until Monday, were taken by David Ghozland of Westwood. He rode out the storm at a hotel near the airport as 125 mph winds tore off siding as he took shelter.
"It was absolutely devastating. It looked like a bomb went off," he said. "It was so loud. It was like revving engines going through the windows. You could actually see things flying through the air next to the windows."
Ghozland was able to get on a Mexican military cargo plane Tuesday and fly into Tijuana to be bused into San Diego. He was reunited with his wife and twin girls Tuesday afternoon.
Brittany, meanwhile, has her sister booked on an American Airlines flight returning Sunday. But she isn't certain it will take off.
"When I do talk to her, I try and reassure her that everything is OK, but I know there is something in the back of my mind being like, 'I don't know if everything is OK.' " she said.
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