When Hurricane John hit Mulegé, a small town in Baja California, Mexico, on Sept. 3, it was more than a news story to David Houghton.

It was a place the Santa Cruz man knew well, having spent the past year there with his wife and their two young sons, overseeing the expansion of their diving business, Aqua Safari Scuba Center, rebuilding the library and cultural center and enjoying the beauty of the Sea of Cortez.

The hurricane, downgraded to a tropical storm by forecasters, wiped out about 1,000 homes in Mulegé, a town of 3,000 people, destroying schools where the Houghtons had installed computer centers and playgrounds, and shattering many lives.

The community was pounded by 25 inches of rain in 24 hours, a deluge compared to the 30 inches of rain Santa Cruz receives in an entire year. Because of the damage to sewer systems and a shortage of food and water, illnesses such as dengue fever, cholera and hepatitis are a threat.

Houghton, 40, who serves as fire captain in Mulegé, is sending a truck full of supplies Saturday to help rebuild.

"The river took everything and washed it out to sea," said Houghton. "We want to help people get back on their feet."

Houghton, who graduated from UC Santa Cruz with a major in earth science, has been leading diving trips to Baja since 1987. Traveling through Mulegé on his way to other parts of the peninsula, he was charmed by the town a 24-hour drive from Santa Cruz and its diving and spear fishing opportunities.

"It's an oasis," he said, describing palm trees, mango trees and banana trees, the mountain range on the horizon and the beautiful desert. "It was always the best part of the trip, so we stopped going elsewhere."

For 10 years, he ran a camping-style resort, with boats, kayaks, windsurfers and mountain bikes. Last year, he hired a crew of 20 and taught them how to build to American standards. They built a warehouse for Aqua Safaris and have since completed three homes.

While the family spent the year in Mulegé, the Houghton children, ages 8 and 5, attended local schools and learned Spanish. Their parents installed computers donated by Aqua Safaris customers to give students access to the Internet.

Now much of that work has been wiped out. When the rain poured down the mountains into the valley, it flooded the roads, picking up Jeeps like they were toy cars, collapsing brick walls, and leaving homes in pieces.

Residents of Mulegé are living in a tent city. Members of the Rotary Club are pitching in with relief efforts, as is the Mexican military. Mexican president Vicente Fox has visited to show his support.

Houghton plans to fly there Sept. 24 with money and more donations.

"In two weeks, it will be safe enough for volunteers to help," he said.

For photos of Mulegé damage see photo gallery.

Call for donations

Local businessman David Houghton is sending a truck and trailer Saturday to deliver supplies to Mulegé in Baja California.

Donations must be dropped off before then at A+ Environmental Solutions, 6898 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz. Cash will be used to buy supplies in Mexico, where goods are less expensive.

To reach Houghton, call 426-8084 or 247-8047 or e-mail dive@aquasafaris.com

Here is a list of needed supplies:

• Shoes of all sizes, especially for children.
• Tarps, tents, and cots for sleeping.
• Bedding sheets and blankets.
• Clothes — all kinds.
• Mosquito repellent.
• Chain saws, brooms, shovels, and wheelbarrows.
• Wet vacuums and pressure washers.
• 20 working computers, Pentium 2's or better for schools.
• Three routers, and two printers.
• School supplies, coloring supplies, pencils and pens, balls.
• Children's books in Spanish.
• Food: Rice and beans (dry), canned or jarred salsa.
• Gas powered water pumps.
• Fans — air cooling.
• Tools for rebuilding.