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Only weeks after the start of hurricane season, the Mexican Caribbean was hit with a Category 1 storm.
The powerful storm battered the coast on the morning of Friday, July 5th, but left only minimal damage in Cancun.
Now the destination is all clear, thanks to excellent planning, and Cancun is ready for tourists immediately following the passage of Hurricane Beryl.
Hurricane Beryl
Hurricane Beryl formed on June 28th and rapidly intensified before making landfall in the Caribbean as a Category 4 storm on July 1st.
It is the earliest a storm of this magnitude to have formed in the Atlantic, breaking the previous record of July 8, 2005.
Hurricane Beryl made landfall in the Mexican Caribbean vacation destination of Tulum, which is just over 80 miles south of Cancun.
The Minimal Effects Of The Storm
Hurricane Beryl did affect Cancun, but the effects were pretty minimal.
Some power outages, downed trees, and some minor flooding were about the extent of the damage in the popular vacation destination.
The storm also caused some sargassum to wash up on some of Cancun’s beaches, but sargassum is common during this time of year anyway.
Cancun’s Preparations Before The Storm
Cancun is a destination that always attracts tourists, so it’s important to prepare for them before a storm like Hurricane Beryl hits.
To prepare, officials opened several shelters, issued safety protocols to keep tourists safe, closed beaches, suspended marine activities, and canceled incoming and outgoing flights.
Additionally, security measures were implemented, tree branches were cut before the storm to limit the damage they could cause, drainage grates were cleaned to help prevent flooding, and traffic lights were taken down, among other things.
The Operation Immediately Following The Storm
After the passing of the storm, a massive operation was launched to assess the damage, clean up the city, and limit the effects of the storm.
Over 800 members of law enforcement, the fire department, and public service offices were deployed in Cancun.
They helped clear the streets, ensured the safety of citizens and visitors, and delivered food to shelters.
Hurricane Season In Cancun
Cancun’s hurricane season starts in June and doesn’t officially end until November, but the most active months are August, September, and October.
Hurricanes are pretty rare in Cancun.
Prior to Hurricane Beryl hitting the destination, only a couple of major hurricanes have landed on Cancun’s Sandy shores in the last 30 years.
Is It Safe To Visit Cancun During Hurricane Season
While Cancun may get some rain and wind from the occasional tropical storm passing by, direct hits from hurricanes are very rare.
This is why thousands of tourists travel to Cancun, even during hurricane season.
In the case of Hurricane Beryl, no tourists visiting Cancun at the time suffered injuries stemming from the storm.
How To Prepare For A Hurricane During Your Cancun Vacation
In the unlikely event that you are in Cancun when a hurricane is predicted to hit, it’s crucial that you follow all safety protocols issued by government and safety officials.
Whether it’s evacuating, going to a shelter, remaining in your hotel room, avoiding beaches, or something else – it’s important to follow all recommendations.
Additionally, if you’ll be visiting Cancun or anywhere else in the Mexican Caribbean during hurricane season, purchasing travel insurance is a good idea.
Not only can it possibly help you recoup costs associated with things like cancelations or having your trip cut short, but medical expenses associated with injuries caused by the storm as well.
While you may not end up needing it, you’re better off safe than sorry when visiting Cancun during hurricane season.
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