Los Cabos Civil Protection teams have begun inspecting all 44 designated emergency shelters across the municipality ahead of the 2026 hurricane and rainy season. Director Francisco Cota Márquez said crews started in the northern communities of Miraflores, Santiago, and La Ribera, with inspections in San José del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas to follow.
The 44 shelters fall under the municipality’s “Plan A” emergency framework and can collectively house roughly 9,000 people. Each site is being evaluated for electrical systems, sanitation, access routes, communications connectivity, and general safety conditions.
Registry of Approved Shelters Coming Soon
Once inspections wrap up, officials plan to publish an updated registry of approved shelters. The list will allow families in flood-prone and coastal zones to identify their nearest safe location before a storm arrives. Pacific hurricane season officially begins June 1 and runs through November 30.
The inspection effort comes as forecasters warn that Baja California Sur faces a 13% probability of a direct tropical cyclone hit this year, the highest of any Mexican state. Mexico’s Navy has projected 19 tropical cyclones forming in the Pacific during the 2026 season.
History of Storm Damage in Los Cabos
Los Cabos has recent experience with hurricane-force impacts. Hurricane Odile struck as a Category 3 storm in September 2014, knocking out power for weeks and causing billions of pesos in damage across the southern Baja peninsula. Hurricane Norma made landfall near San José del Cabo in October 2023, prompting the activation of these same 44 shelters and evacuations from low-lying areas away from the tourist corridor.
The municipality also plans to use certified hotels as temporary shelters during emergencies. That detail matters in a city that hosts millions of visitors each year and must account for both residents and tourists when storms approach.
What the Inspections Cover
Cota Márquez said the northern communities were prioritized because they are more isolated and have fewer alternative facilities. Miraflores, Santiago, and La Ribera sit along the East Cape corridor, roughly 30 to 50 miles north of San José del Cabo. Road access to these towns can be cut off during heavy rains, making shelter readiness especially critical.
The inspections will determine which shelters need electrical repairs, plumbing upgrades, or improved road access before they can be certified for use. Officials have not yet announced a deadline for completing all 44 evaluations.
This story was first reported by Colectivo Pericú.