Ignoring Jimena

Powerful hurricanes don't normally strike the coast of Baja, but the nonchalance being shown by many residents - and tourists - makes me want to wince. Of course, we're also seeing Socal residents ignoring evacuation orders from this week's fires. From ABC:

Mexican authorities said it was difficult to move local residents, many of whom live in poor slums and fear looting if they leave their homes unoccupied, even for a storm as potentially destructive as Jimena. Police, firefighters and navy personnel drove through shantytowns, trying to persuade about 10,000 people to evacuate shacks made of plastic sheeting, wood, reeds and even blankets. "For the safety of you and your family, board a vehicle or head to the nearest shelter," firefighter Ricardo Villalobos called through a loudspeaker as his fire truck wound its way through the sand streets of Colonia Obrera, a shantytown in the hurricane's path. Asked how many people were paying attention, he said, "Not many."

It's a tough situation because Mexican authorities are not prepared for such an onslaught - and the locals are afraid of losing their homes. But what of the others who have ignored the warnings? From Peter Greenberg's travel blog:

Managers at many of the resorts that dot the tip of Baja say that while some guests opted to leave via extra flights added by many airlines, others chose to stay and ride out the storm. In any case the airport in Cabo is now officially closed, so those who were wavering are now stuck for the duration.

Katrina? Four years ago? Death and destruction? As my late mother was fond of saying, "You don't have to be crazy - but it helps."