Tourists stranded in Cabo San Lucas and La Paz by Hurricane Odile are getting some help from the Mexican military and private aircraft to escape the now flood-damaged and wind-torn cities.
Ten Air Force planes and two Marine planes are flying people from the hardest hit locations to Tijuana, UniradioInfroma.com reports, citing General Gabriel Garcia Rincon.
Some 30,000 tourists -- about 26,000 from outside the country -- are trying to escape the aftermath of one of the most powerful hurricanes to ever strike Baja California, according to NBC News.
From the Tijuana Air Force base, tourists will have the choice to fly home from the commercial airport or be transported to another area of Tijuana. City buses are working with the military to transport people where they need to go.
Private security at the U.S.-Mexico border says several Americans coming from Cabo have already passed through the San Ysidro Port of Entry Tuesday.
Among the saved passengers was a bachelor party with a very grateful groom-to-be.
East Los Angeles resident Paul Yap and nine friends literally threw caution to the wind as they braved the storm for a last bash in Cabo. They were supposed to return Sunday, but their trip was extended when all flights were canceled.
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They instead sought shelter at a Best Western hotel and rode out a rocky two days.
"It tore up the building pretty good outside. It blew out some windows, rooms got messed up," said Yap. "We were all huddled in the hallways. Flooding on the first floor, it was a nightmare. It was crazy."
Odile grew to a Category 3 storm as it hit land on Sunday and Monday, bringing 125 mph winds. No deaths have been reported as of Monday afternoon, but at least 135 people were treated for injuries.
The resulting floods and damage prompted officials to close airports in Cabo, La Paz, San Jose del Cabo and Loreto.
San Diego couple Craig and Jill Newell, caught in Cabo during their honeymoon, described it as “being in an earthquake in a wind storm.”
They say roads were washed out, boats were sunk in the marina and roofs were ripped from buildings.
On Tuesday, Odile was downgraded to a tropical storm, and it is bringing rain to the Southwest U.S., including San Diego.
