Riviera Maya, Q.R. — The Navy of Mexico says their Prevention Phase plan is still in effect due to the lingering of category 3 Hurricane Rafael. The plan remains active since the storm is forecast to eventually backtrack south over part of the Yucatan Peninsula.
On Thursday, the National Hurricane Center (NOAA) had forecast Rafael to head due west after passing over Cuba, however, a new trajectory issued Friday has the storm hovering in the central Gulf of Mexico.
Rafael has regained its category 3 hurricane status since Thursday. Forecasters say the storm is expected to move west-northwest before tracking back on itself down toward the Yucatan Peninsula for Wednesday as a tropical depression.
Given the constant uncertainty of Hurricane Rafael’s trajectory and intensity, the Secretaria de Marina says their storm plan (Fase de Prevención) remains in place for possible impacts on Quintana Roo.
“The Marine Plan remains active in the Prevention Phase in Quintana Roo, Yucatan and Campeche, in view of the possible impact of Hurricane Rafael,” they said in a press statement.
Hurricane Rafael is still packing hurricane force winds in excess of 200 kms/h.
“In this context, the Ninth Naval Region based in Isla Mujeres, in coordination with the Fifteenth Naval Zone, in Cozumel and the Seventeenth Naval Zone, in Chetumal, Quintana Roo, is prepared with personnel, vehicles, surface units and mobile kitchens, to provide support to the population if required,” they added.
“The Seventh Naval Region based in Lerma, Campeche, together with the Thirteenth Naval Zone in Yucalpetén, Yucatán, the Eleventh Naval Zone in Ciudad del Carmen and the Naval Sector of Champotón, Campeche, is also ready to serve citizens in the face of the possible impact,” they added.
According to Mexico’s Servicio Meteorológico Nacional (SMN), “the center of Hurricane Rafael, a category 3 on the Saffir-Simpson scale, is located north of Yucatán Peninsula and is moving west. Its cloud detachments will cause strong points of rain in Campeche, Yucatán and Quintana Roo,” they reported Friday morning.
