Latest address from Cancun Govt officials: Official Bulletin of the State of Quintana Roo (From Cancunweathertoday.com) The Governor of Quintana Roo just addressed to the state a few minutes ago, the hurricane alert status was upgraded to YELLOW ALERT (permanent watch for possible impact from 48 to 72 hours). Among the immediate preventive actions the most important are: 1.- Schools will be closed on Monday for the whole north area of the state 2.- The airports of Cancun and Cozumel will continue operating until Monday as long as the weather allows the aerial operation. 3.- The full evacuation of the Islands of Contoy, Holbox and the keys of the central part of the state will be completed today. Cozumel is excluded of this evacuation since that is a big island that has its own system of protection, in the case of Isla Mujeres there will be meetings this afternoon to take the decision about the actions to take. 4.- Travel agencies must NOT bring to any tourist to the region 5.- Flights departing Cancun and Cozumel from today and until Monday are reported as full 6.- Empty planes will be arriving to the Cancun airport this weekend to take the most number of tourist out of this area 7.- Travelers staying in Cancun at this moment must contact their airline to book a return trip immediately 8.- Tourists that can not get a seat to return hotel will be protected by the government in the authorized shelters It is recommended to the people to follow the bulletins that the government will be issuing over the course of this day, the next one will be at 4:30 pm. Issued by: Gobierno del Estado de Quintana Roo Translation: cancunweathertoday.com
I imagine the government has a good memory of Wilma and seeks to avoid a repeat. Getting airlines to send empty planes is probably wishfull thinking since they are driven by profit and they are probably willing to chance it right up to the actual hurricane hitting Cancun. I do hope they start moving people out now though so the tourists are not stuck there in the aftermath and most important they are out of the way of the people that live in Cancun who will in turn be able to focus on their own safety and rebuilding if needed (crossing my fingers that this is not the case). Also of note, the Mexican government did a great job moving everyone to safety during Wilma. Sadly the United States cannot say the same about how we handle these catastrophic events. They could take a lesson from the Mexican government. Keith
I agree Mike, the fewer tourists here as possible the better. Seems like lots of lessons learned from Wilma, with few tourists to take care of efforts can be more tightly focussed on the locals in need. Re the States, I found it a little strange that Louisiana has already declared a state of emergency according to the BBC website: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6952580.stm
Hey guys- I think that Dean IS gonna hit Cancun in some way shape or form - Ive been pleading with it (as if its gonna listen to me - well I was swearing at it actually :lol: LOL). I just wanted to say PLEASE PLEASE keep safe - I know you all remember Wilma well enough to get prepared. I REALLY hope that its not a direct hit and if it is - that it blazes through quickly. I also REALLY REALLY hope that theres not too much damage and god forbid injury. We're supposed to be coming to Cancun (BBG) on the 12th Sept - if the hotel is up and running and accepting guests and our travel company will bring us - we'll be there to support Cancun's economy. If its not safe then we'll have to think about rescheduling to a later date. I REALLY hope that doesnt happen and that we're all breathing a HUGE sigh of relief next week. Ive got everything crossed (and I'm gonna keep swearing at that bloody hurricane!!!) My best wishes to you ALL out in Cancun right now - hope to see you real soon xxxxx
Declaring a state of emergency for a state that basically has been in a state of emergency for two years since Katrina. That's the leadership that we have here right now. They were completely lawless for months after Katrina. By contrast, the day they let us out of the evacuation shelter after Wilma all I remember was seeing everyone working to rebuild Cancun and helping each other out. To this day I am in awe of the way the Mexican government handled the whole situation and will always have a profound respect for them. With far fewer resources at their disposal they were able to secure everyone citizen or otherwise. That is something to be admired.
As someone who did not experience Wilma first hand, but did follow it closely with help from this site and others.... I was appalled at my government for how they as a whole handled Katrina, and also at my countrymen for how they as a whole handled Katrina. It's amazing, the differences in everyday life between our countries. The US as a whole, government and people alike, should have taken notes. While I was in Cancun, I remember reading in the paper an article about how the hotels did not want to pay for dredging the beaches because they are federal property, and the Mexican government did not want to pay because it's the hotels who would benefit most from the dredging. But you saw how quickly the beaches were dredged after Wilma... because they came together. I lived in Cancun for five months, from the FIRST week of low season until Christmas Day, the LAST week of low season. Low season, so I know how life is there in those times, but I truly learned what I was always taught, that every day is good for something. People who I had interactions with while I lived there would absolutely give you their last dollar if they thought you need it more. Here in the States, people like that are very few and far between....
Looks as if the track has changed a bit. May hit lower than Cancun as of today. Keep an eye as it seems to be moving lower
Yes, I feel a lot more confident about it today, pretty sure it won't hit us directly. But awful for the poor people south of Tulum. Just a reminder to locals, it's a good idea to go through your houses after this and get rid of any unused clothes, shoes, whatever else and donate it to people that lose things. They are our neighbours after all
