Costa Maya, Q.R. — State officials have issued an alert for the arrival of Tropical Storm Sara. The alert extends into four municipalities that include Othón P. Blanco, Bacalar, Felipe Carrillo Puerto and José María Morelos.
According to State Civil Protection, emergency shelters have been readied in Mahahual in the event of emergency evacuations. Ports have already begun to close in the south.
As of 5:00 p.m. local Cancun time, Governor Mara Lezama reported ports in Puerto Juarez, Isla Mujeres, Puerto Morelos, Playa del Carmen and Cozumel open for passenger ferries but closed to boats under 40 feet including local fishermen and tourism vessels.
All ports in Chetumal have been closed. In Mahahual, boats under 40 feet are prohibited. Ports in Bacalar, Holbox and Chiquila are open to general navigation.
Governor Lezama has reported on the cancellation of one cruise ship to the area due to Tropical Storm Sara. The M/S Disney Fantasy cancelled its arrival for November 18 due to changes in its itinerary.
State Civil Protection (Coordinación Estatal de Protección) says personnel in the south are working to ensure streets are cleaned and drains not obstructed to help prevent flooding.
“The State Coordination of Civil Protection Quintana Roo has deployed a comprehensive operation in the south of the state, carrying out dredging work in absorption wells, cleaning of sewers and sanitation of critical areas prone to puddles and flooding.
“In the fishing community of Xcalak, the General Director of Coordinación Estatal de Protección Civil, Guillermo Núñez Leal, led a supervision tour of the most vulnerable points, evaluating the current conditions and outlining strategies for a possible evacuation to the first-opening safe shelters in Mahahual, if necessary.
“In addition, direct assistance was provided to families in Mahahual whose homes had suffered damage to their roofs due to the recent strong winds, guaranteeing immediate support and strengthening the security of these coastal communities.
“In the municipalities of Bacalar, Felipe Carrillo Puerto and José María Morelos, work has been intensified to clean absorption wells, maintain sewers and supervise first-opening shelters. These activities are part of the preventive measures implemented to reduce risks and act in a timely manner in the event of any eventuality,” the state agency reported.
Tropical Storm Sara will make Quintana Roo landfall south-southeast of Costa Maya early Sunday morning. “A prevention zone for the effects of the tropical storm is being maintained from Puerto Costa Maya to Chetumal,” Coordinación Estatal de Protección reported Saturday evening.
According to Servicio Meteorológico Nacional (SMN), Tropical Storm Sara has maximum sustained winds of 75 kms/h and gusts of 95 kms/h producing 1 to 3 meter high waves along the coast.
“Its extensive circulation will cause strong to intense rains in the Yucatan Peninsula and in southeastern Mexico, strong to very strong winds and possible formation of waterspouts on the coasts of Quintana Roo,” the SMN said.
