Should I be Worried about Hurricanes in Playa del Carmen?

One of the main reasons people choose to live in Mexico is because of the warm tropical climate in an oceanfront setting.  With a tropical, oceanfront climate, once in blue moon their comes a hurricane. How much should you worry about this?  You should prepare, but don`t become keep calm and understand that the news you see on television might over dramatize a tad bit.

While hurricanes are a real threat, and must be taken very seriously, the part that gets very overgeneralized and exaggerated with in news reports is the implied frequency with which they hit, and the scope of the area which they effect.  For example, news headlines are great for statements like “Hurricane Threatens Yucatan Peninsula.”  Headlines need to be short and grab people’s attention, which is exactly what this does.

However, it leaves readers with the impression that the entire Peninsula was ravaged every time a hurricane passed through Caribbean.  In the vast majority of cases when a hurricane passes by, most places just get very heavy rain for longer a day or two (normal rainfall lasts for a few hours at most.) This has been the case for Playa del Carmen since Hurricane Dean hit in 2007.

“What about when the real thing comes?” you might wonder.

When hurricanes are approaching, constant updates are given to ensure the population is fully aware of any possibility. An area could be in orange or even red alert, and not feel the effects of the hurricane; this is warning system just makes sure people are ready.  Even if the possibility is low, if the hurricane is nearby, preparations include:

• closing schools
• covering windows – Playa del Carmen real estate is often sold with metal hurricane curtains in place, which are easily opened and closed
• objects that could get blown around are collected by the city (in Cancun, coconuts are collected!)
• residents move outdoor items inside
• objects that must stay outside are fasted down; this is best done as a part of property preparations when you take possession (i.e. a metal protecting cage can be placed over stationary gas tanks.)
• homes are entirely closed off
• residents buy canned food that can be eaten without cooking

In the best case, there will be heavy rains with lots of wind for a few hours.  If you leave your window open a crack, you’ll be surprised how much water can come in!  In the worst case, it could last for a few days and electricity could go out, with damage to trees and items left outdoors.

Most quality Playa del Carmen properties, even in the case of a hurricane hitting, will not undergo major damage. Fixtures such as “palapa” shades may need repairing or replacing, but only minor items. The unfortunate truth is that the places you see in the news where heavy damage takes place are often less well-off communities, where building and infrastructure quality is lower, and information and preparations may not be carried out as well.

So, yes, hurricanes are a real concern, but they should not deter you from buying your home on a warm beachfront!  They don’t come around often, and when they do, you will be well advised, and following official instructions, safe from damage and danger.

Thomas Lloyd graduated from Purdue University Krannert School of Management with a degree in Management/Financial Option Investments. He has been living, investing, and working professionally in Mexico for over 15 years. In the summer of 2009, he received the first federally applied Mexico Real Estate Degree and Mexico Professional Real Estate License S.E.P. #5978657. He is the current president of TOPmexicorealestate, you can contact him at (512) 879-6546 or through the company’s web site www.TOPmexicorealestate.com NETWORK

“Mexico’s Leading Network of Specialists for Finding and Purchasing Mexican Properties Safely!”