by Monica Hartlief
It seems strange to be talking about hurricanes when our hurricane season just finished but there is so much information to share that I figured we would just get started. Let me say first that I’m no weather or hurricane expert, before I moved to Playa del Carmen I didn’t even know what a hurricane was, but I’ve been here for several hurricane warnings and “lived through” hurricane Wilma in 2005 so I’ve learned a few things. This is the first post in a series about hurricanes and I`ll discuss the things that happen in a town like Playa del Carmen when there is a hurricane warning and when a hurricane actually hits. I’ll also try to shine a light on the things you, as a homeowner, can do to protect and prepare your property in Playa for a possible hurricane.
But first a few facts so we know what we’re talking about:
- A hurricane is an intense tropical weather system of strong thunderstorms with a well-defined surface circulation and maximum sustained winds of 74 mph (64 kt) or higher (source: National Hurricane Center)
- Hurricanes are categorized according to the strength of their winds using the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. A Category 1 storm has the lowest wind speeds, while a Category 5 hurricane has the strongest. (source: National Hurricane Center)
- The official Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1st until November 30th. August through October shows the biggest activity but that doesn’t mean it isn’t possible to get a storm earlier or later or even outside of the official hurricane season. Weather doesn’t stick to our schedules, it seems.
During the hurricane season those who live in the Riviera Maya keep a close watch on one or several websites that track tropical weather so we know what is happening and if there are any areas that show possibilities for tropical cyclone formation. If you live in Playa del Carmen or happen to be visiting during that time you will find out that EVERYBODY in town is an accomplished and well informed weather man or woman and can tell you all about the hurricane and whether or not it will hit us directly. Don’t forget that you can be just as knowledgeable by checking the same websites (see below for a few examples). Of course, experience does count for something and it can be helpful to listen to other people´s opinion and advise.
Before a hurricane is a hurricane it goes through several phases. First it is a tropical depression, then a tropical storm and then it becomes a hurricane. Thankfully not all tropical depressions or tropical storms become hurricanes. Once there is a hurricane its wind strength is indicated by categories numbered 1 through 5. Don’t be fooled by a low number though, a Category 1 storm can bring as much destruction or more as a Category 5 storm, the wind strength is less but it could carry a lot of rain causing floods and landslides. Once a tropical depression becomes a tropical storm it is named, based on the Atlantic storm name list.
The following websites have a lot of information about tropical weather and hurricanes. You can use them to see projections of a storm’s path, storm and hurricane advisories, history, tips for protection of life and property, etc. National Hurricane Center, Wunderground Tropical Weather, The Weather Channel
During the hurricane season you can also check out the Latido de Mexico Facebook page where we will update you on tropical storm and hurricane warnings as they get published by the National Hurricane Center.
