Back in 2016, I wrote a blog called Why It Floods Downtown. The photos in that post are still some of my favorites — Squid Roe surrounded by water always gets attention. However, since I am still asked about this every rainy season, I figured it was time for a fresher version. Because guess what? The answer hasn’t changed. (Note: this is a slightly edited version of the original blog post)
When you see dramatic pictures of flooding downtown — especially in front of Squid Roe — it’s actually normal. Shocking, I know. You’d think we’d have a “real” drainage system to handle 1–2 inches of rain better than that. And to be fair, the city has tried (there’s drainage near Artisanos, for example). But none of it solves the bigger issue: Cabo San Lucas is literally built in and around arroyos.
Yep. Who builds a town in a dried-up creek bed? Oh yeah… we do. Because it’s paradise, and worth it. Some of us plan shopping around hints of rain.
The Geography Lesson Nobody Asked For (But Totally Explains It)
Take a look at a topographical view of the Baja Peninsula. In the middle? Mountains. That’s usually where the rain falls when storms pass by. Along the edges near the coast? Notice the brown — it’s dry most of the time. But when rain does fall, everything slopes toward the ocean. And since water always flows downhill… well, we are a seaside town.
That’s why:
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People who live in or next to arroyos are most at risk. (They’re usually evacuated if things get serious.)
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Downtown businesses and anyone caught out when it rains get the temporary lakes you’ve seen in photos.
One or two inches of rain, and downtown can look like this (photo credit: Ro Sanchez):
And then, literally by the next morning, it’s often cleared up (photo credit: me):
The marina is just a block away. Once the water reaches the sea, downtown just has to dry out.
Why We Panic at “6+ Inches of Rain”
Now you see why locals start paying real attention when meteorologists warn of 6+ inches. An inch or two is messy but manageable. Six or more? That’s when we start topping off the gas tanks, making sure we have food, water, and batteries, and watching the forecasts like hawks.
It doesn’t make you paranoid. It makes you prepared. If the storm fizzles, you’re still stocked up for the next one.
Cabo’s Cycle of Forgetting
Cabo can go a long time without a major storm, and we forget. After Hurricane Odile, people stayed extra alert for years. Then we relaxed. It’s normal. But readiness should never feel optional here.
I said this in 2016, and it’s still true in 2025:
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Have your nonperishables ready year-round.
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When storms pop up, just grab fresh fruit, bread, and top off gas.
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Don’t count on “last-minute” being an option.
Final Thoughts
Cabo San Lucas will always flood downtown when it rains. That’s what happens when you mix mountains, arroyos, and a seaside town. But it also clears quickly — sometimes within hours.
So the next time you see a viral photo of Squid Roe surrounded by water, you can nod knowingly. It’s not a disaster. It’s just Cabo being Cabo.
And as always:
This blog is for entertainment purposes only. For official weather or emergency updates, please follow your local news or authorities.
Stay safe, stay ready, and enjoy the view.
~Jenn
Whether it’s for the weekend, a season, or for life — Live Cabo.