What is a hurricane?
A hurricane is a weather phenomenon that can be described as a giant funnel-shaped whirlpool. It can reach a diameter of about one thousand km and a height of 10 km.
It can also produce winds with speeds over 200 km/hour, with gusts of up to 400 km/hour; bringing with it heavy rain. The Mexican territory had never before received the direct impact of a category 5 hurricane (winds above 250 km per hour).
What to do in case of a hurricane?
• Agree on the preventive activities that each person will carry out.
• Have a place to protect animals and equipment.
• Make necessary repairs to roofs, windows, and walls to prevent further damage.
• Store fertilizers and insecticides in waterproof places and consider transportation in case of living with sick relatives, senior citizens, children, or people with disabilities.
• Determine a place to meet, in case you become separated.
• Have a list of emergency items on hand, such as a first aid kit, radio, battery-powered flashlight, extra batteries, and canned food.
How to act during the passage of a hurricane, according to Civil Protection
• Maintain a high level of attention to official information.
• Learn about the location of temporary shelters.
• On the high seas, islands, and maritime oil installations, they must attend to navigation and Civil Protection instructions.
• Be prepared for a possible evacuation.
In the event that the population considers that their home is safe and is not in a risk area, the prevention measures are:
• Fix and tie well what the wind can throw.
• Take animals and work equipment to a safe place.
• Store loose objects (pots, trash cans, tools, etc.) that can be thrown by the wind.
• Remove television antennas, signs, and hanging objects.
• Clean the roof, drains, gutters and drains, and sweep the street uncovering the sewers.
• Seal the cover of your well with a cement mixture to have uncontaminated reserve water.
In case of evacuation:
• Secure the house and take essential items with you.
• Keep calm.
• Stay informed.
• Disconnect all appliances and the power switch.
• Close the gas and water taps.
• Alert known people about an emergency message.
Source: CONAGUA