Plate 35. Wrecked Boats on the Beach.

THE HISTORY OF SAN FELIPE, BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO

EPILOGUE

On September 1, 1967, San Felipe was stricken by the full fury of a tropical hurricane named Katerina. Generally, tropical hurricanes turn inland far south of San Felipe. However, hurricane Katerina struck the village as did similar storms in 1931 and 1953.

Like her predecessors, Katerina was spawned in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Central America. Nurtured by the warm Pacific water, she began to take a northwesterly path paralleling the western coast of Mexico, approximately one hundred miles off shore. The hurricane entered the Gulf of California and continued throughout the following day and as darkness settled the precipitation became more intense. By the early morning of September 1, strong winds began to develop, reaching their full force within a few hours. Wind and rain easily penetrated the walls and roofs of the villager's frail dwellings. Huge swells began developing with the bay, as fishing vessels pitched severely. Some pulled free from anchorages and were tossed upon the beach, only to be pounded by crashing waves (plate 35). On shore, the heavy rainfall could not be absorbed by the baked desert soil. As a result, water surged off nearby mountain faces into canyons to form torrents in arroyos. The water bolted down three dry channels deepening and widening what had been shallow, narrow depressions traversing the village.

The evidence of the disaster can be seen on the landscape. Three channels now deeply scar the arid landscape from the mountains to the sea (plate 36). Large sections of the highway to the village have been washed away (plate 37). Huge amounts of sand were deposited on the village (plate 38). Numerous houses and trees were undermined and swept away. Water from the largest arroyo was deflected from the commercial district by a small volcanic knob within the village. The diverted water raced into the tidal lagoon and drained out to sea. Rushing water from another channel destroyed a small landing strip and undermined part of a beach front hotel. Most of the village's houses and shops escaped damage, save for leaky roofs and muddy floors.

Plate 36. Arroyos Washed Away Portions of the Highway to San Felipe.

Plate 37. Sand was Deposited many Feet Deep in Parts of the Village.

Plate 38. Aerial View of the Storm Damage.

The fishing fleet was hard hit. Half of the twenty-five vessel fleet suffered structural damage or total destruction and every vessel was in need of some repair.

When news of the storm was received, relief groups from Mexico and the United States sent food, clothing, and building materials to San Felipe. Rebuilding and repairing of homes began almost immediately, but a great amount of time and labor will be required before the fleet will reach pre-storm levels. The shrimp and totuava catches will probably be low for seasons.

After striking San Felipe, Katerina moved overland and the force of the wind and rain dissipated. Except for the temporary evidence of damage, the village remains the same. The stores have reopened. The boats are under repair. The people have been rebuilding and the tourists are returning.

TABLE OF CONTENTS: HISTORY OF SAN FELIPE SITE EVOLUTION, BY THOMAS ANTHONY TERICH

(Related San Felipe articles and reports may be found at Mexfish.com's main San Felipe information page. See weekly fishing news, photos, and reports from the major sportfishing vacation areas of Mexico including the San Felipe area in "Mexico Fishing News.")