Riviera Maya, Q.R. — President Andrés Manuel López Obrador says military vehicles are being sent to the state to help with evacuations in the event it is required.
On Tuesday, authorities began evaluating the possible evacuation of residents in areas such as the far south and surrounding islands. Authorities on Isla Holbox are contemplating the evacuation of 2,000 islanders into temporary shelters.
Municipal authorities have announced that agreements have already been made with the Holbox ferry companies for the free crossing of residents and tourists if necessary, adding that final decisions will be made Wednesday once a final trajectory has been determined.
Mayan regions in the south where the hurricane is currently projected to make landfall are also on the possible evacuation list. During his Tuesday morning press conference, López Obrador said work is already underway for the arrival of Army and Navy personnel to assist people if needed.
He said he is monitoring the evolution of Hurricane Beryl, noting that there is no certainty that it will hit with force.
“At first it was thought that it might make landfall through Cancun. Now it is being assessed that if it does make landfall it could be in the south of Quintana Roo, maybe Chetumal, so we have to take care of Chetumal, which is fragile when faced with this type of phenomenon since the entire area is low,” he said.
AMLO confirmed that preventive measures are being implemented and that warnings will be issued when necessary to protect the population. He also said that military trucks are ready to evacuate people in low-lying areas and take them to shelters.
At the moment, there are more than 400,000 tourists vacationing across the state as Hurricane Beryl heads toward the Quintana Roo coast.
