We've gotten some interesting weather thanks to tropical storm Emilia. Mazatlan is in a very protected location, so the effects haven't been too bad. We've gotten some much needed rain, and a little flooding. The wind kicked up quite a bit, and the surf turned wild.
The storm blew in while I was on my way back from the dentist. I love storms, so I went and picked up Chuck and we went to the sea wall. We went down to the beach and watched the waves crash onto shore, closer and closer. A constant 40-50 mph wind blew. It was weird feeling one wind turn from hot to cold to hot and back again, constantly changing temperature, as if it couldn't decide what kind of mood it was in.
We saw one of the small fishing boats trying desperately to make it back in. It sped, cutting across the waves. It kept disappearing behind the large swells, then it never reappeared. My stomach turned to ice. We feared for the passengers, but a larger fishing boat left the shore and towed the foundering craft to safety.
On shore, the fisherman were working together to protect their boats. Usually, the boats are left on the beach, many not even secured for insurance against high tide. But now, they were getting the boats as high as possible. As many as would fit were moved onto the Malecon. Then they began pulling the rest at least partially onto the sea wall. The remaining few boats were tied to light poles or secured with grappling hooks to the wall. After that, the fishermen huddled together under palapas and in the lookouts and prayed, waiting to see what would happen.
It rained for a day and a half with gusts of wind up to 125 mph. Streets flooded. The sewer system was incapable of keeping up with the continuing water, and we saw several manhole covers bubbling up excess water as it flowed beneath the streets. We saw a Dodge Stratus, identical to mine, with the water lapping at its doors. I was again grateful that we had brought the Explorer, and that its lifted.
Some people lost power as the lines became wet. Thankfully not us. We were dry and secure high on our hill. The Mazetlecos carried on with life like nothing was different. Soccer games continued, swimming continued, life continued. In fact, enterprising people moved their food carts and souvenir tables to the sections of the Malecon where people gathered and strolled and watched the surf.
The ocean changed. The undertow became vicious, the water turned deep green, and the waves, well, made for good surfing. Young men with surf boards and boogie boards began to materialize in the water immediately, seemingly from nothing. Most tried to surf. A few succeeded. Because of its protected location, there isn't usually surfing in Mazatlan, even bad surfing. Emilia brought a rare opportunity to the area.
For us, Emilia brought cooler temperatures, making dining outdoors more enjoyable. It also brought a laundry conundrum. We were out of clean clothes and had no way to dry the laundry. The whole house has been converted to a laundry hanging facility, with clothes dangling from the most improbable of places. But now the storm is over, the sun is coming out, and we can move our things back to the laundry line.
The weather report says scattered thunderstorms for today and tomorrow, but I doubt it will happen. I can tell by the missing fishing boats. All the fisherman have returned to the ocean, so I know its over.
You can see pictures from Emilia in the photo gallery.
Overcast 63 oF • 17 oC
We miss you two!