THE evacuation of the island of Holbox, in the Mexican state of Quintana Roo, the establishment of a ‘curfew’ (restriction of mobility) and dry law (the sale of alcohol is prohibited) are part of the preventive actions of the state government to cope with the passage of the Category 5 Hurricane Miltonwhose career has surprised.
The governor of Quintana Roo, Mara Lezama, was on the island of Holbox this Monday to witness the preparations as well as the evacuation of the island, which included tourists from New Zealand and the Netherlands, among others country. During an EFE visit to the port of Chiquilá, from where ships depart for the island of Holbox, the evacuation of the island was confirmed. Entire families with their belongings and pets were transferred to shelters or to relatives.
The State Council of Civil Protection indicated that as part of the prevention plan in Holbox, Chiquilá and the towns of Lázaro Cárdenas, personnel from various areas will be deployed to face any eventuality, among which the Federal Commission Electricity (CFE), the Drinking Water Commission. and Sewers and Agents of the Mexican Army and Navy.
“We are aware of this phenomenon, which is different, it comes from the Gulf of Mexico, category 5, and although the approach cone will not pass over Quintana Roo, we must be prepared; phenomena have no word of honor and we must be prepared“, reported the governor.
For his part, David Morales Hernández, commander of the Mexican army in Cancún, explained that they have a deployment of 80 agents, in addition to the 130 of the National Guard, so that together they apply the DN Plan- III, to deal with natural disasters. , in addition to state and municipal government employees, there are five shelters and shelters.
This Monday, Mexican authorities warned that Milton, a category 5 hurricane, could have an impact overnight or in the early hours of Tuesday between the municipalities of Celestún and Progreso, in Yucatán (southeast).
“Due to its movement towards the northern coast of Campeche and Yucatán, it is expected that, during this night, the center of the hurricane could have an impact between Celestún and Progreso,” said the coordinator of the Service National Meteorological Service (SMN), Alejandra Méndez. Giron.
Milton is recording sustained winds of 285 kilometers per hour, gusts of 350 km/h and is moving east at 17 km/h. Given Milton’s approach, the Yucatán government made the decision on Monday to suspend “non-essential work and classes” across the state.
Yucatán suspends classes and non-essential activities
State Governor Joaquín Díaz Mena indicated that the suspension of activities would begin at 1 p.m. local time, with the exception of essential activities such as hospitals, supermarkets, pharmacies and gas stations.
Furthermore, he stated that there will be no sale of alcohol (dry law) throughout the state from 5:00 p.m. local time, and that in the case of public transportation, the frequency of trips will be ‘afternoon and night will be reduced. . will be permanently suspended.
He said that the meteor, with an erratic trajectory, It will approach 50 kilometers from Puerto de Progreso Monday evening or early Tuesday morning and predicts that “the greatest impact will be on the coasts of Yucatan.” The president of the state called on the population of this region to evacuate and move to shelters and shelters.
Meanwhile, the Secretariat of Infrastructure, Communications and Transport (SICT) of Mexico indicated that the SICT centers of Campeche, Tabasco, Tamaulipas, Quintana Roo and Yucatán are prepared with personnel, machines, vehicles and camps to make faced with the effects of Hurricane Milton on the roads of Mexico. these regions, so that, if necessary, traffic can be restored as quickly as possible.
While the Ministry of Tourism called on tourists and residents of destinations in states where the arrival of Hurricane Milton is expected, “to follow the instructions of federal, state and municipal authorities, to avoid the effects or risks during your stay”.
Mexican airlines Volaris, Viva Aerobus and Aeroméxico also announced on social media the suspension of operations to and from Mérida International Airport.
