| Hurricanes and the Riviera Maya |
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| Friday, 30 July 2004 | |
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One of the realities of living in our tropical paradise is that the arrival of a hurricane is always a possibility. Would you know what to do if a hurricane hit? Hurricanes in our area have occurred most often in Aug / Sept / Oct / Nov. So NOW is the time to get prepared! Some Before/During/After Advice: Before - Pick up your copy of the Hurricanes 2004 Booklet distributed by the Mayor's office @ Ace Hardware or TVC Productions # 381 30th Av (aka Joaquin Coldwell). Be sure to locate your assigned shelter now. Note if parking is available, etc. If you did not get a booklet, call Protecion Civil @ ph # 872 6452 for a list of the shelters or see http://www.proteccioncivil-qroo.gob.mx/varios/refugios.htm http://www.proteccioncivil-qroo.gob.mx/varios/refcozumelurb.htm
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, much better than tape) or use tape in an X pattern . Monitor the weather news closely. In addition to TV (local cable Ch 21), Radio Sol (tune to 89.9 FM or 810 AM) promises to have weather reports & announcements of evacuation orders in English this year) Some great web resources: http://www.redcross.org/news/ds/0305hurricane/ http://weatherunderground.com/tropical/ (good tracking maps & strike possibilities at this one) Our Cozumel coordinates are 20.5° N x 86.9° W http://weather.cnn.com/weather/forecast.jsp?locCode=CZM Sign up to receive storm alerts by email (highly recommended) at: http://www.palmbeachpost.com/storm/content/weather/special/storm/email/ http://www.qroo.gob.mx/qroo/Clima/Pronostico.php?Id=MXQR0074&Ciudad=Cozumel Close & secure gas tanks. Close water supply at intake to prevent possible contamination from flooding. Once your home is secured, go to a shelter if your home is on the coastline, likely to flood or cannot withstand strong winds. Leave food & water for pets on as high a surface as they can reach, in case of flooding. During - Have a window open just a crack so pressure does not build up in the house. Stay indoors & away from windows. The smallest room in your house is the safest & 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 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. Most important - stay calm, stay safe - Cozumel and the mainland have a lot of natural protection from storms & with some preparation on your part, we can all get thru another season safely! Anne Harris USCA - CZM (US Consular Agent in Cozumel) cell 044 987 876 0624 office ph 872 4574 hours 12-2 pm M-F Villa Mar Mall in the Main Plaza (behind Fat Tuesdays) 2nd floor right rear, across from Cozumel On Line email : This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it Comments (0)
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By: Anne Harris
Remember, things could close or become unavailable & electricity may go off. Have a stash of cash, canned foods, bottled water, flashlights, batteries, candles, a portable radio , any medications needed, fill the gas tank in your car, charge cell phones, etc. Have bleach on hand to decontaminate flooded surfaces or cisterns. Prepare a travel kit for use in case of evacuation to a shelter . Include all important Identification docs, 1-2 days clothes, medications, bedding, food, water, flashlights, etc. Put everything that could be damaged in waterproof bags.
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