The “Season”

Hurricane Season is officially June-November.  August, September and October are considered peak months.  In 2005 there were 27 named storms, 15 of which were hurricanes.

 Deciding to Travel during “The Season”

 When traveling to Cancun , it’s important to be aware of the hurricane season.  Many are tempted to travel during this time of year because it coincides with the low season, when hotel rates and airfares are lower, and Cancun is less crowded.  With these deals, however, comes the fact that you vacation may be impacted by a hurricane or a tropical storm directly or indirectly.

Cancun has had the following  hurricanes actually make landfall: 

Wilma – 22/10/2005 Category 5

Roxanne – 09/10/1995 Category 3

Gilbert – 14/09/1988 Category 5

 Inez – 07/10/1968 Category 4

Many tropical storms affect the area each season.

Watching the Forecasts
  •   Monitor  the Weather (Don't expect your hotel to let you know there is a hurricane coming. Check official sources regularly even though the sky is perfectly clear.)

The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale

*The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale is a 1-5 rating based on the hurricane's present intensity. This is used to give an estimate of the potential property damage and flooding expected along the coast from a hurricane landfall. Wind speed is the determining factor in the scale, as storm surge values are highly dependent on the slope of the continental shelf and the shape of the coastline, in the landfall region. Note that all winds are using the U.S. 1-minute average.

Category One Hurricane: Winds 74-95 mph (64-82 kt or 119-153 km/hr). Storm surge generally 4-5 ft above normal. No real damage to building structures. Damage primarily to unanchored mobile homes, shrubbery, and trees. Some damage to poorly constructed signs. Also, some coastal road flooding and minor pier damage. Hurricane Lili of 2002 made landfall on the Louisiana coast as a Category One hurricane. Hurricane Gaston of 2004 was a Category One hurricane that made landfall along the central South Carolina coast.

Category Two Hurricane: Winds 96-110 mph (83-95 kt or 154-177 km/hr). Storm surge generally 6-8 feet above normal. Some roofing material, door, and window damage of buildings. Considerable damage to shrubbery and trees with some trees blown down. Considerable damage to mobile homes, poorly constructed signs, and piers. Coastal and low-lying escape routes flood 2-4 hours before arrival of the hurricane center. Small craft in unprotected anchorages break moorings. Hurricane Frances of 2004 made landfall over the southern end of Hutchinson Island, Florida as a Category Two hurricane. Hurricane Isabel of 2003 made landfall near Drum Inlet on the Outer Banks of North Carolina as a Category 2 hurricane.

Category Three Hurricane: Winds 111-130 mph (96-113 kt or 178-209 km/hr). Storm surge generally 9-12 ft above normal. Some structural damage to small residences and utility buildings with a minor amount of curtainwall failures. Damage to shrubbery and trees with foliage blown off trees and large trees blown down. Mobile homes and poorly constructed signs are destroyed. Low-lying escape routes are cut by rising water 3-5 hours before arrival of the center of the hurricane. Flooding near the coast destroys smaller structures with larger structures damaged by battering from floating debris. Terrain continuously lower than 5 ft above mean sea level may be flooded inland 8 miles (13 km) or more. Evacuation of low-lying residences with several blocks of the shoreline may be required. Hurricanes Jeanne and Ivan of 2004 were Category Three hurricanes when they made landfall in Florida and in Alabama, respectively.

Category Four Hurricane: Winds 131-155 mph (114-135 kt or 210-249 km/hr). Storm surge generally 13-18 ft above normal. More extensive curtainwall failures with some complete roof structure failures on small residences. Shrubs, trees, and all signs are blown down. Complete destruction of mobile homes. Extensive damage to doors and windows. Low-lying escape routes may be cut by rising water 3-5 hours before arrival of the center of the hurricane. Major damage to lower floors of structures near the shore. Terrain lower than 10 ft above sea level may be flooded requiring massive evacuation of residential areas as far inland as 6 miles (10 km). Hurricane Charley of 2004 was a Category Four hurricane made landfall in Charlotte County, Florida with winds of 150 mph.  Hurricane Dennis (pdf) of 2005 struck the island of Cuba as a Category Four hurricane.

Category Five Hurricane: Winds greater than 155 mph (135 kt or 249 km/hr). Storm surge generally greater than 18 ft above normal. Complete roof failure on many residences and industrial buildings. Some complete building failures with small utility buildings blown over or away. All shrubs, trees, and signs blown down. Complete destruction of mobile homes. Severe and extensive window and door damage. Low-lying escape routes are cut by rising water 3-5 hours before arrival of the center of the hurricane. Major damage to lower floors of all structures located less than 15 ft above sea level and within 500 yards of the shoreline. Massive evacuation of residential areas on low ground within 5-10 miles (8-16 km) of the shoreline may be required. Only 3 Category Five Hurricanes have made landfall in the United States since records began: The Labor Day Hurricane of 1935, Hurricane Camille (1969), and Hurricane Andrew in August, 1992. The 1935 Labor Day Hurricane struck the Florida Keys with a minimum pressure of 892 mb--the lowest pressure ever observed in the United States. Hurricane Camille struck the Mississippi Gulf Coast causing a 25-foot storm surge, which inundated Pass Christian. Hurricane Andrew of 1992 made landfall over southern Miami-Dade County, Florida causing 26.5 billion dollars in losses--the costliest hurricane on record. In addition,  Hurricane Wilma (pdf) of 2005 was a Category Five hurricane at peak intensity and is the strongest Atlantic tropical cyclone on record with a minimum pressure of 882 mb.

Tropical Depression: A tropical cyclone in which the maximum sustained surface wind speed (using the U.S. 1-minute average) is 33 kt (38 mph or 62 km/hr) or less.

Tropical Disturbance: A discrete tropical weather system of apparently organized convection -- generally 100 to 300 nmi in diameter -- originating in the tropics or subtropics, having a nonfrontal migratory character, and maintaining its identity for 24 hours or more. It may or may not be associated with a detectable perturbation of the wind field.

Tropical Storm: A tropical cyclone in which the maximum sustained surface wind speed (using the U.S. 1-minute average) ranges from 34 kt (39 mph or 63 km/hr) to 63 kt (73 mph or 118 km/hr).  

*Note: The above information is from the National Hurricane Center, of the Government, of the United States of America and is considered Public Information. (Information presented on these pages is considered public information and may be distributed or copied. Use of appropriate byline/photo/image credits is requested.)

Remember that hurricane forecasting is not an exact science, though it is good estimation of a storm’s path.   Pay attention to the three-day cone of a forecasted path.   If your destination falls within the 3day path, it’s probably time to look into your options.   ZOOM in on the map to make sure.  Cuba is not Cancun .   ( =

How to Prepare:

  • Know if your hotel has provisions for guests to stay in the hotel if a storm hits.  If not, what options does it provide? (Example, the Royal Resorts are a hurricane shelter for category 1-3 storms.)
  • Find out from tourism authorities what kind of emergency facilities are available for evacuees. 
  • Ask your airline about its policies for helping stranded travelers. 
  • Check with your tour operator, charter flight company or airline. How will they handle getting you back home in the event of a hurricane OR if you have to return early because a major storm is forecasted for Cancun. 
  • Ask your hotel and airline whether tickets and prepaid rooms are refunded in case of a storm.  They each may have stipulations that it must be of certain storm strength.
  • Use a credit card (not a debit card) to pay for your vacation.  You can always file a claim with your credit card company for services or goods that you have not received.  (You may end up going this route if a hurricane hits and the airline may not refund your money or the hotel doesn't exist anymore so they can't be contacted. American Express should jump right in.)
  • Travel Insurance.  If you can’t afford to lose the money you’ve invested in your vacation, travel insurance is probably a good option for you.  Read the fine print to make sure hurricane coverage is included. Keep in mind that insurance policies sold by your tour provided are usually designed to protect the tour company first and the consumer second.  There are many third party options available.  Do your homework and shop around for a policy that meets your specific needs. If you have to cancel your trip, be sure you follow the exact rules of your policy for cancellation 

Being Prepared, Handy Stuff

Before you travel, leave a detailed itinerary as well as contact information with friends and family back home.

Some of these items you may pack in your suitcase, others you may want to purchase from the hotel’s store or a local mini market should if be apparent a storm is headed your way:

Items to Pack:    

  • First Aid Kit
  • Water Purification Tablets
  • Travel candle
  • An up-to-date list of local emergency phone numbers and the number for your country’s Embassy and Consulate
  • Zip-Loc bags to keep your passport and other travel documents safe
  • A small flash light with fresh batteries
  • Small radio with Weather band
  • Cell phone that works internationally (but be warned that cell phone service may be knocked out)

What to buy at the mini market:

This stuff you should have on hand in your hotel room, just in case.  You can keep it in a grocery bag so it’s ready to grab-n-go at a moment’s notice.  If it looks like a storm won’t threaten your vacation, use the contents or leave it behind for your maid.

  • Extra bottled water
  • Extra batteries
  • Matches
  • Some non perishable food items, such as cheese or peanut butter crackers, etc. Remember, if you’ve put any canned goods in your bag, such as tuna, make sure it has a pop-top or you have a can opener!

During A Major Hurricane

(Keep in mind, you probably won’t be moved from your hotel during a category 1, 2 or possibly 3 hurricane.)

  • Develop a plan ahead of time
    • Assign someone to gather up your travel documents
    • Assign someone to grab a blanket
    • Assign someone to  grab your emergency bag
    • Have a plan in case you get separated
  • Don’t Panic
  • Do what you are told by your hotel employees.
  • Move from your hotel when you are asked.
  • Gather your belongings up before you are asked
    • Throw some supplies into a carry on bag or back pack
  • Stay indoors and move away from the beach. 
  • If your hotel has not relocated you, and you are in a beachfront room, asked to be moved to an interior room on the 2nd floor and above.

After a Hurricane

Getting Home
If you’ve done your preparation, you should have a list of who to contact at your tour operator, travel agent, or airline.  Try to be patient.

Traveling To:
If your trip is booked and you find yourself traveling to an area that has just had a major storm, contact your airline via the phone or through their website to see if the airports and flights will be impacted.  Ask specific questions. (such as, "Will a previous direct 2 hour flight now take 12 hours?") 

Call your hotel to see what their status is.  Ask if they have power, any damage, were rooms flooded, windows broken, are their restaurants operating?

Helpful Websites:

National Hurricane Center
http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/

Quintana Roo Government Issued Advisories and Warnings
http://www.cancun.bz/cancunweather.htm

Cancun Doppler Radar (real time)
http://smn.cna.gob.mx/radares/radares...

Weather Underground’s Director of Meteorology Blog
http://www.wunderground.com/blog/Jeff...

Cancun Shelters:
http://ssp.qroo.gob.mx/ProtCivil/Beni...

Cancun Airport
http://www.cancun-airport.com/

Cancun Local Newspapers
http://www.prensaescrita.com/america/...

Cancun Hotel List - Note: These are local phone numbers.  The area code for Cancun is 998. International calling format is: international calling code + country code + area code + phone number. (a US example: 011-52-998-999-9999)
http://www.cancun.bz/yellow.htm

US Citizen Travel Registry
https://travelregistration.state.gov/...

Canadian Citizen Travel Registry
http://www.voyage.gc.ca/main/sos/roca...

This is based on contributions from this thread in the Cancun forum: http://tinyurl.com/rrgar