Last updated on February 6, 2021
Cancun, Riviera Maya, Q.R. — UPDATED: The coast of the state of Quintana Roo from Cancun to Mahahual is preparing for a direct hit by topical depression Catorce. According to forecasts, the depression is expected to hit the coast Saturday afternoon.
The National Hurricane Center out of Miami is warning that tropical storm conditions are expected to first reach the eastern Yucatan coast within the warning area by Saturday afternoon, adding that hurricane conditions are possible within the watch area by late Saturday.
The National Hurricane Center has updated its advisory as of 8:00 a.m Friday for the Quintana Roo coast reporting “A Hurricane Watch is in effect for Punta Herrero to Cancun Mexico”. At 11:00 a.m., the warning remained.
Municipalities along the coast are preparing for the arrival of the storm starting with the evacuation of residents from Punta Allen at Tulum, since the tiny seaside town is in the direct path of the storm.
Government officials have continued to meet with State Civil Protection updating residents. As of 8:00 a.m., Civil Protection had issued only a green (low) alert for the region as the system continues to move west northwest toward the state at 12 mph. Since then, Civil Protection has upgraded their alert to yellow (medium), warning residents to take precautions and be prepared in the event of an evacuation.
Once it hits, the storm is expected to remain in the Cancun, Riviera Maya region for around 12 hours, while it crosses over into the neighboring state of Yucatan late Saturday night. From there, the storm will head out into the south-central Gulf of Mexico on Sunday.
Regardless of development, the National Hurricane Center reports that the system is forecast to be near or at hurricane strength when it reaches the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico late Saturday, bringing with it heavy rainfall that may result in areas of flash flooding.
