Hurricane Dean; the first Atalantic storm of the season.

Although we don't want to admit it, Huricane Dean is headig our way, and it is aniticpated to arrrive here in the Riviera Maya some time early Tuesday morning. Hurricane Dean is headed toward Jamaica as of this morning so the course of the storm could shift, and that will determine the severity of the storm here in Playa del Carmen and the outlying areas. The latest update from just mintues ago (10:00 AM Central time) is that Hurricaen Dean may acutaly hit the northern tip of the Yucatan Peninsula, which would affect Cancun more then the communites south of Cancun. Our mottto is "hope for the best, but prepare for the worst" so we have included a list of guidelines and recommedations on how you can be prepared to ensure the safety of you, your family, and your property.

The following list and information was provided by our local consular agent here in Playa del Carmen. As we receive more information we will add it to PMN to keep everyone currently updated.

Some before, during and after storm advice

Before - Be sure to locate your assigned shelter now. Note if parking is available, etc. Call Protecion Civil @ phone # 877- 3053 for a list of the shelters or you can pick one up at the office of Protecion Civil. Here are some web links that have the information as well.

www.solidaridad.gob.mx/Huracanes/index.html

www.solidaridad.gob.mx/Huracanes/refugios.html

Remember, things could close or become unavailable and electricity may go off. Have a stash of:

• Cash
• Map of Playa del Carmen
• Cooler
• Canned foods
• Bottled water (4 Liters per day per person)
• Flashlights
• Batteries
• Candles
• Portable radio
• Tape
• Medications needed
• First Aid Kit
• Baby Formula, Food and Diaper (enough for 1 week)
• Fill the gas tank in your car,
• Charge cell phones, etc.
• Important contact numbers (written incase you do not have access to cell phone memory)
• Bleach on hand to decontaminate flooded surfaces or cisterns.
• Buy some solar powered lighting or batteries to set out in the sun every day to charge and use at night for light.
• Set the refrigerator at its coldest setting in anticipation of the power failing.
• Put anything that could be damaged in waterproof bags
• Close and secure gas tanks.
• Close water supply at intake to prevent possible contamination from flooding.
• Clean up outside - anything that could become a flying missile should be brought in or tied down. Prune any tree limbs that could be a hazard, especially dead ones.
• If you do not have a garage find a safe haven for your vehicle
• Have plywood cut, sized to your windows, ready to board them up - much safer than tape.
• There is a new product available that looks to be really good protection for your windows during hurricane season - see: Cortinas Inteligentes or contact the office in Cancun at 998 892 0706.
  

• 2-3 days clothes,
• Toiletries
• Medications
• Bedding
• Food
• Water
• Flash lights
• Leave food and water for pets on as high a surface as they can reach, in case of flooding.
• If you can, leave a window cracked open to keep wind pressure from building up.
• Close and secure gas tanks.
• Close water supply at intake to prevent possible contamination from flooding.
• If you leave your home, turn off the electricity from the breakers before you leave.
• Clean up outside - anything that could become a flying missile should be brought in or tied down. Prune any tree limbs that could be a hazard, especially dead ones
• Have plywood cut, sized to your windows, ready to board them up - much safer than tape.

Monitor the weather news closely. In addition, local TV and Radio promises to have weather reports and announcements of evacuation orders in English this year. For emergency dispatch dial 066 , and for the Red Cross Ambulance dial 065

Some great web resources :

www.redcross.org/news/ds/0305hurricane/

www.redcross.org/services/disaster/0,1082,0_564_,00.html

www.redcross.org/services/disaster/0,1082,0_563_,00.html

www.fda.gov/consumer/updates/hurricane052307.html (food and medicine storage info - very helpful)

weatherunderground.com/tropical/ (good tracking maps and strike possibilities at this one)

Our Playa del Carmen coordinates are longitude 87.08° W x latitude 20.63° N , located in the Western Caribbean.

Sign up to receive storm alerts by email (highly recommended) at : www.palmbeachpost.com/storm/content/storm/email/

www.weather.com/

weather.cnn.com/weather/

www.qroo.gob.mx/qroo/Clima/Pronostico.php?Id=MXQR0074&Ciudad=Cozumel

During - If there is lightning, stay off the phone to avoid being shocked. Stay indoors and away from windows. The smallest room in your house is the safest . A closet or the doorway frame is the strongest point. Don't be tempted to go out until you get an all clear. If there is a lull, it may just be the middle (eye) of the storm. Above all - Stay calm.

After - Do not return to your home until advised to do so by authorities. Roads may be closed or unsafe. Water may be contaminated. Live wires may be exposed. Do not step in water, there may be live electrical wires, broken glass or other hazards. ASAP, notify your loved ones that you are OK, but after that, use the phone only for emergencies, leave the phone lines open for others. Also, if possible, notify the nearest Consulate or Consular Agency that you are okay... Consulate Merida 01-999-942-5700 Consular Agency Playa Del Carmen 044-984-807-8355 (Emergency Phone) Or email at This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it Most important - stay calm, stay safe - Playa del Carmen has a lot of natural protection from storms and with some preparation on your part, we can all get through another season safely - Despite rumors to the contrary, we all survived Wilma , so the rest should be cake !

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