Travelers Stranded by Cabo Hurricane Return Home

Firefighters landed in Phoenix Thursday after being stuck in Cabo San Lucas hotel after Hurricane Odile struck

Sixteen Hoffman Estates active duty firefighters are back on U.S. soil after being stranded for several days in Cabo San Lucas following Hurricane Odile.

NBC 5 has learned that the group landed in Phoenix, Arizona and Los Angeles Thursday on separate planes. The L.A. group is not expected to fly back to Illinois until Friday morning.

Around 40 active and retired firefighters and their families were attending a wedding in the Mexican resort town when the hurricane hit late Sunday.

Lt. Rich Wellhausen texted NBC 5's Dick Johnson after stepping off the plane at LAX that the group's "nightmare is over."

"We hired five vans to take us to the airport under the cover of night. After baking in the Los Cabos sun for six hours, then waiting for our plane to land, hanging out in a baggage area for another two hours, we were put on an Air Alaska jet and whisked away to safety," Wellhausen texted. "Once the media got involved the U.S. government sent supplies and planes and emergency management support. Back in the USA and home soon."

Wellhausen told NBC 5 Wednesday that resources were scarce at their hotel and looters and robbers were creating a safety issue.

"We are in dire straights. There is no power to the building, food is diminishing, our water supplies are diminishing," Wellhausen said.

The fire department was working with the offices of both Illinois senators to try and arrange an evacuation, but its not clear if that's what led to the group being airlifted out.

The U.S. State Department announced Thursday they were working with U.S. and Mexican carriers to arrange flights for U.S. citizens attempting to departing from Cabo's airport. Chartered flights were also made available.

The fire department was able to cover shifts for the stranded firefighters, but the lack of communication led to some anxious moments.

"The cellular service is sketchy at best. We get an occasional text from one of the guys down there letting us know what's going on," deputy chief Craig Schuldt said.

Erman and Kerry Ramos arrived back in Chicago Thursday after their honeymoon trip quickly turned into a nightmare. The newlyweds were in Mexico for less than a week when the hurricane hit.

"I was incredibly scared, not knowing if I'd ever make it back home again, if we'd even come out alive," Kerry Ramos said.

"People are coming into your room, "Hey we're just looking for water." It became kinda serious," Erman said.

The Category 3 hurricane made landfall late Sunday night as the strongest storm on record to hit Mexico's southern Baja California peninsula. Wind speeds of 125 mph were recorded.
 

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