Mexico: Hurricane Zeta makes landfall in Yucatán Peninsula near Tulum October 26 /update 2

Event

According to the US National Hurricane Center (NHC), Hurricane Zeta made landfall in the Yucatán Peninsula, in the north of Tulum (Quintana Roo state), on Monday evening, October 26. The hurricane is reportedly sustaining winds of up to 130kph (80mph) and is located 25 km (15 mi) north-north-east of Tulum. It is forecast that Zeta will reach the US Gulf Coast by Wednesday evening, October 28, and Mexican authorities have urged the public to stay inside for the passage of the hurricane.

Mexican authorities have issued a hurricane warning from Tulum to Rio Lagartos (Quintana Roo state).

Context

The Atlantic hurricane season runs from late May through to the end of November, with activity typically peaking in late August and early September. Numerous tropical storms form in the Atlantic Ocean during this period, with most affecting the Caribbean, the Gulf of Mexico, and the east coast of the United States. Although communities in the region are generally well prepared for adverse weather conditions during the hurricane season, severe storms bring a significant risk of flooding and infrastructural damage.

Organized tropical activity tends to peak in August and September. Storms tend to flood sections of highways and cause dirt-based roads to become temporarily impassable. More organized systems, depending on intensity, can prove catastrophic in terms of tidal surge, wind damage, flooding, and mudslides.

Advice

Those in the area are advised to monitor local weather reports, avoid areas directly affected by flooding, confirm road conditions before setting out, and adhere to instructions issued by local authorities.