Hurricane Season in Riviera Maya and How to Prepare for it

Hurricane Season

For those that live or work on the East Coast of North America, familiarity with hurricane season is nothing new. It goes from May to November. Each year, the warm waters of the southern Atlantic Ocean give rise to tropical storms and hurricanes. 

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How to Prepare for Hurricane Season in the Riviera Maya

Hurricane season is around the corner in the Riviera Maya. Strictly speaking, the season kicks off in June and ends in November. But you shouldn’t be alarmed. A major hurricane hasn’t hit the area since Wilma in 2005. It never hurts to be prepared, however, in case things get tough. And although most hurricanes occur in the area during August and September, it’s better to be safe than sorry.

We know what you’re thinking…how can I ever actually be prepared for a hurricane? Trust us on this one; there are many ways you can prepare beforehand. You might have never given this much thought because you didn’t need to, but it’s best to keep this things in mind and be ready for anything.

In fact, preparing for hurricane season is easier than you might think. If you follow these next five steps, you and your family should be safe.

PROTECT YOUR HOME

Hurricane shutters

Photo by DAVE GATLEY/FEMA News Photo

It’s important to protect your home from a hurricane. This means installing hurricane-proof windows and doors, and maybe even a roof. At the very least, get roof clips. If it’s possible, having an underground room is essential in case of an emergency. If you are building, use concrete to prevent strong winds and rain from ruining your house.

HAVE AN EVACUATION PLAN

You may never need it; but in case you do, it’s best your family plans out an evacuation route. Hurricanes will hardly warn you in advance, so it’s good to be prepared. Evacuation plans require thorough thinking and finding a safe place to evacuate to when needed.

GET ENOUGH SUPPLIES

Supplies

Once a hurricane hits, there will most likely be no water or food. Supplies will be scarce everywhere, so you’ll want to have supplies and an emergency kit in your house. Buy non-perishable, canned food in advance and have at least a few extra garrafones (water jugs) laying around in case of emergency. Medical aide and supplies will be scarce, too, so get a first aid kit. And don’t forget extra batteries and flashlights in case electricity is cut out for a while.

CHECK YOUR HURRICANE SEASON INSURANCE

Homeowners often overlook this, but it is equally as important. Making sure you have the necessary insurance to cover you in case of a hurricane will save you money down the road. This applies both for medical insurance, as well as for your house, car, and belongings.

GET YOUR CONTACTS AND ELECTRONICS IN ORDER

If antennas drop, there won’t be any way to reach other people. But in case they’re still working, it’s best to have your contacts and electronics in order. Make sure you have extra non-plug batteries at hand to charge your phones or tablets in case you need to reach out to emergency services or other friends and family.

There are many more things to keep in mind when you live in the Riviera Maya and hurricane season comes around. While nothing will happen, most likely, it never hurts to be prepared. Make sure to be constantly checking the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA) for updates about hurricanes and cyclones. And as long as the sun is out in Playa del Carmen, get out there and enjoy this beautiful paradise you call home.

Hurricane Season in the Riviera Maya: How to Prepare Yourself

Living in the Riviera Maya means that every year we have to get through the hurricane season. Luckily, despite the scary name the possibility of a hurricane hitting the Mexican Caribbean shores is very low. There is only a small chance you will ever experience a hurricane and even if you do; chances are it is going to be just a lot of rain with high winds.

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It has been a decade since the last destructive hurricane (Wilma) hit Cancun and some areas in the Riviera Maya. The main problems caused by Wilma were the reestablishment of power lines as well as water services, there was also a gasoline and food shortage in the area.

Being prepared is essential when dealing with the challenges of hurricane season. Making sure you prepare ahead of time will save you time, money and stress. It is also important to prepare a plan to guarantee everyone’s safety.

Hurricane Season: How to Be Prepared

FOOD:
Always make sure to have enough non-perishable food and a good supply of clean water. Check labels and expiration dates to make sure everything is edible, store all of these items in a safe dry area, preferably in a high cabinet.

Some foods to consider are:

Cans: Tuna, sardines, beans, deviled ham, condensed milk, fruits and vegetables, etc.
Jars: Jam, peanut butter, nutella, spaghetti sauce, etc.
Dry food: Seeds, peanuts, pasta, rice, oatmeal, cereals, bread, cookies and crackers.
Boxes: Ultra pasteurized milk, tomato sauce, cream, etc.

WATER:
For disaster preparedness you should store at least a gallon a day per person for a 3 day period. In Mexico this can be easily solved by calling your drinking water company and order enough 20 liters containers for your family, we’d recommend storing a 10 to 14 day supply in a safe place. For domestic purposes, it is a good idea to have a second tinaco installed at home, or replace the one you have for a bigger size.

 photo Hurrricane Kit_zpspisbvn7o.jpg

FIRST AID KIT AND PRESCRIPTION MEDICATION:
Make sure to have a properly stocked First Aid Kit, you can find ready to buy kits in places like Sam’s or you can make your own.
Here are some things that you must include in your kit:

  • Sterile gauze
  • Medical Tape
  • Band-Aids
  • Elastic bandages
  • Antiseptic wipes
  • Soap
  • Antibiotic cream (triple antibiotic ointment)
  • Antiseptic solution (as hydrogen peroxide/alcohol)
  • Hydrocortisone cream (1%)
  • Paracetamol, ibuprofen, aspirin, etc.
  • Tweezers
  • Sharp scissors
  • Calamine lotion
  • Alcohol swabs
  • A thermometer
  • Plastic gloves (at least 2 pairs)

Also make sure you have a sufficient reserve of medications prescribed to you and your family. After a hurricane medicines might be scarce, as businesses can be closed or the medicines can be damaged.

PROPANE AND GASOLINE
It is important to have a safe way to cook your meals, most houses in Mexico have a propane stove so filling your tank before hurricane seasons is a good idea. If you have smaller tanks, having a spare is also good, as long as it is safely put away or secured before hurricane season.

Gas stations run out of gasoline quickly during a hurricane, make sure your car has a full tank before the hurricane hits the coast. I fill my tank as soon as an alert is issued; this not only insures that I have gas it also helps me avoided the long lines of people scrambling to get gasoline.

OTHER IMPORTANT ITEMS TO CONSIDER:
These are items that need to be around your home in case of a hurricane:

  • Flashlights: preferably LED in case the power goes out for a short time.
  • Candles: decorative candles can last much longer.
  • Battery Powered Radio
  • Solar Garden Lights: can be recharged by day and use them inside the house overnight.
  • Chlorine: To disinfect water and eliminate germs if your houses floods.
  • Ziplock Bags: To store valuable items like important documents and photos.
  • Corded Phone
  • Cell phone and extra charged batteries.
  • DC adapter to AC
  • Wet wipes.
  • Many batteries of all sizes.
  • A flashlight for each family member, and battery backups.
  • Enough plastic bags for trash and other garbage.
  • Supply of toilet paper and other hygiene products that you need.

Give yourself plenty of time to get ready, technology nowadays will let you know with a week in advance when a hurricane is forming. In my experience getting ready at this time will give you plenty of time to get all the supplies you will need.

Luckily in all the time I have lived in the Peninsula, none of the warnings ended up in hurricanes; but it is always better to be prepared beforehand to avoid long lines and panic purchases.

Top Mexico Real Estate is an American owned real estate company serving foreigners looking to buy a property in Mexico. For over a decade, our team has helped thousands of clients to find and purchase the home of your dreams.

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