Authorities declare Ensenada and surrounding areas federal disaster zone

Registered or Premium Member? LOG IN | Not a Premium Member? TRY PREMIUM FREE NOW

--->

BRIDGES WASHED OUT; ROADS CLOSED IN BAJA CALIFORNIA

By: Dave Gilovich

January 26, 2010

2 comments

The recent winter storms that pounded the Golden State also dished out serious punishment in Northern Baja.

In a statement issued on Sunday, State Civil Protection Director Alfredo Escobedo Ortiz declared Ensenada and surrounding areas a "disaster zone" which makes the region eligible to receive financial assistance from Mexico's National Disaster Fund.

Ortiz explained that bridges had collapsed and motorists and commercial truckers were stranded along Mexico's Highway 1, the Transpeninsular Highway that runs 1061 miles from Tijuana to Cabo San Lucas.

Previous 2 of 5 Next

BRIDGES WASHED OUT; ROADS CLOSED IN BAJA CALIFORNIA

Run-off from nearby hillsides caused yet another bridge to collapse; this one near the town of Camalu. Photo: Mike Castillo

According to information on the website Baja Safari Now, (www.bajasafari.blog.com) many people were stuck in Ensenada for several days and there were reports of a police barricade south of town. They are saying road conditions may remain troublesome for up to two weeks.

The site is reporting that five bridges have been washed out or damaged:

The bridge at Las Animas has collapsed
The bridge at San Vicente has partially collapsed
The bridge at Colonet was damaged
The bridge in Col. Guerrero was damaged
The bridge in El Rosario has partially collapsed

In an email to Serge Dendina at Wildcoast (www.wildcoast.net), John Friday from Baja Ecotours (www.bajaecotours.com) confirmed that at least four bridges had washed out and there was no word as to when authorities would be able to build bypass roads around them.

Pilot Mike Castillo was flying over the region on Sunday and observed bridge washouts, road closures and general flooding. "There was water everywhere -- you could see lakes and ponds all over. The place looked more like Minnesota than Baja," Mike explained.

Mike also noted a distinct lack of traffic on the roads: "There were plenty of cars and trucks, but they were parked. Thru traffic was done."

Surfers interested in traveling through Baja are advised to be careful and most of all patient.

A good source of travel and highway information can be found at Baja Insider: (www.bajainsider.com)

MORE SURF NEWS
SURFLINE HOME PAGE

Comments: (2) Add Your Comment

al kelley 01/27/2010 08:18 AM * PREMIUM MEMBER - Real Name

Tragically, much of this dilemma was caused (like in US) by human-set fires that destroyed the stabilizing ability of chaparral roots. I've seen very poor ecological practices here, but mostly by US developers scammint to build anywhere, flood or fire prone.

Son of a Baja Dad 01/27/2010 06:41 AM

My Dad and wife drove down to their place 600 miles south of the border yesterday. Here is what they said "drive down was a little crazy - rivers here and there and bridges down but we made it ok and the car is unloaded !" So, you can make it down if you have to. Drive safe.

Add Your Comment:

ABOUT SURFLINE'S COMMENTS: Surfline comments are intended to foster and continue a community discussion and/or debate on the topic brought up by the feature above. We encourage you to comment and express your opinion. Before commenting, you should know that Surfline Comments are moderated, which means that comments containing personal attacks, excessive profanity, or off-topic remarks may not be posted. Also, 'EDITOR'S PICKS' are comments that we feel capture points-of-view from all sides of the issue at hand, not necessarily the comments Surfline most agrees with. Thanks. --the editors