Riviera Maya, Q.R. — More than 30,000 tourists have left Quintana Roo ahead of the arrival of Hurricane Beryl. The state is officially on a medium danger level or orange alert as the storm nears, however, that alert is expected to change as the day wears on and Beryl approaches.
“Initially the change to orange was for Tulum, Felipe Carrillo Puerto, Bacalar, Othón P. Blanco and José María Morelos, but as the minutes passed the validity became for the entire entity,” Governor Mara Lezama reported.
Approximately 350,000 tourists remain in the state. Some who did not want to leave simply relocated to northern areas where the storm’s affects are likely to be less.
Lezama says during the storm, water and power will remain on. “The Potable Water and Sewerage Commission (CAPA) will continue to supply water. The Federal Electricity Commission (CFE) has announced that it will not cut off power and is ready to address any damage that may occur in the distribution network,” she said Wednesday night.
Evacuations of residents are well under way, particularly in the south, where Beryl is expected to make landfall. Temporary emergency shelters have been set up for both residents and pets.
Governor Lezama announced the suspension of operations at the Tulum International Airport starting noon Thursday July 4 until noon Sunday July 7.
She also announced police are monitoring evacuated areas for looters. On Wednesday evening, the evacuation of low-lying areas in the south began. Residents from Xcalak, south of Mahahual, to Punta Allen south of Tulum were evacuated and moved into temporary shelters.
Free towing services continue to be available for residents with storm damaged vehicles and for vehicles who have lost their plates.
Mayor of Othón P. Blanco, Yensunni Martínez Hernández, said residents of coastal towns are more exposed to the strong winds and intense rains expected. She said crews are working tirelessly to clear streets and unclog drains
“We are working 24/7 and have deployed more than 200 storm operation elements who working tirelessly in the 123 critical points. We have dedicated ourselves to the cleaning of more than 2,800 absorption wells, sewers and storm drains.
“We are also in Mahahual clearing out debris and removing all objects that could be dangerous with the winds and to evacuate to a shelter in Bacalar,” she said.
As of Thursday morning, Hurricane Beryl was positioned less than 800 kilometers away from the coast of Quintana Roo. It is expected to make landfall around 2:00 a.m. Friday as a Category 1 near the small fishing village of Punta Allen, approximately 60 kilometers (37 miles) south of the town of Tulum.
