Yucatán Peninsula Braces for Hurricane Dean

Today-less than two years after Hurricane Wilma-Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula is bracing for landfall of another potentially catastrophic hurricane. Hurricane Dean, a category 4 when it hit Jamaica this weekend, is expected to be a category 5 by the time it hits Mexico. Category 5 is the highest and most destructive level of hurricane, and is relatively rare.

Until recently, Hurricane Dean was headed directly for Cancún, which took the brunt of Wilma two years ago. But overnight it shifted south, and is now expected to hit land closer to Tulúm, several hours farther south along the Yucatán's Caribbean coast. After hitting the Caribbean Coast, Dean is expected to cross the Yucatán Peninsula, though it will probably lose force as it goes over land.

The state of Quintana Roo, where both Cancún and Tulúm are located, is on high alert. Mexico has issued a hurricane warning for the entire Gulf Coast, as well.

Right now thousands of tourists are being evacuated from Cancún and the Riviera Maya. According to news reports, 260 flights loaded with evacuees left Cancún on Saturday, while flights into the area were canceled or flew in almost empty. As many as 90,000 tourists are thought to be vacationing in the area, say news reports.

Here in Mérida, on the Yucatán's Gulf side, my husband Dan Prescher and I are braced for Dean's arrival. Another staff member is in Campeche, a couple of hours south of us on the Gulf Coast.

We are not evacuating-though we might have done so if we lived on the Caribbean coast. Hurricanes tend to lose force as they travel over land-so that by the time Hurricane Dean reaches the Gulf side, its winds are likely to be at category 2 or 3 status. Driving, flooding rains are likely to be a bigger problem, and-in Campeche-possibly sea surges right along the water.

We are well stocked with food and drinking water (and a few extra bottles of tequila). We live in colonial-style houses, which are built of stone and cement, and which-according to everyone we ask-offer solid protection. We may lose electricity, however, and are stocking up on flashlight batteries and candles.

We'll keep you apprised of our first-hand encounter with Dean. In the meantime, if you missed our Alert in June on what to do in case of a hurricane, read it here.

Best Regards,

Suzan Haskins
Editor, Mexico Insider
International Living

P.S. You'll learn about much more than hurricanes at our Live & Prosper in Mexico seminar in Puerto Vallarta September 23-25. Our team of experts can fill you in on every aspect of moving to and living in Mexico. . Find out more here, e-mail Events@InternationalLiving.com, or call 1-866-381-8446 now.