Stranded Hoffman Estates firefighters begin returning home from Cabo

CHICAGO (WLS) -- The evacuation operation is continuing in Mexico as tourists are escaping the chaos in Cabo San Lucas caused by Hurriane Odile, leaving many resorts in ruins and even shutting down the airport.

This was supposed to be the Mangiamelis' honeymoon.

Instead they are just returning from Cabo, where the hurricane devastated the area Sunday and left tens of thousands of tourists stranded in the Mexican resort city.

"I can't even tell you what it means to be back home, just to be on American soil and to be in our home town now, it's a beautiful thing," said Kathy Mangiameli.

Her husband Tom is a lieutenant with the Hoffman Estates Fire Department. There were fifty in their wedding party - which got off without a hitch Saturday - many of which were firefighters that became stranded in Los Cabos after the hurricane the next day.

PHOTOS: Hurricane Odile causes massive damage to Cabo San Lucas, strands travelers

"If it wasn't for all of us sticking together and the camaraderie and the jobs that we do, it might have been a little different," he said.

Some of their friends arrived earlier Friday, sharing their experiences of the traumatic days after the hurricane.

"It was frightening, the last 24 hours, it really was," said Nancy Fortunato.

"The destruction is pretty great, those people need a lot of help down there," said Patrick Fortunato, Hoffman Estates Fire Battalion chief. "It's tough because that's our job to help but we weren't in a situation or position to help."

"The word that describes it is surreal, but what kept me going was, my dad always used to tell me, 'Let's just keep a positive attitude,'" said Anne Dimucci.

"There's a lot of people walking around aimlessly, they don't have any homes left, there's people out everywhere," said Keith Tompkins, a retired Hoffman Estates firefighter.

More people from the wedding party are expected to return to Chicago, but some are still in California.