Use the links above to see more photos.

Late one night, the green VW was circulating in the rain. I couldn't understand the announcement. About 2 o‘clock that morning we were awakened by the clatter of banging windows. Not a soul was on the street. Through the lashing rain I could see palm trees bending in the high winds.

By dawn it was less windy but still raining hard. Roads were flooded and covered with palm fronds and coconuts. The river had spilled its banks. This was Stan, the last storm of 2005's devastating hurricane season. It cut across the Yucatan and then slammed into the coast just south of Tlacotalpan leaving 66 people dead in its wake.