Mexico braces for Impact from Beryl

According to forecasts from the National Meteorological Service, the National Civil Protection Coordination of Mexico, and the Miami Hurricane Center, Hurricane Beryl will make landfall between 11 PM Thursday and 2 AM Friday, possibly near the municipality of Felipe Carrillo Puerto, Quintana Roo.

The impact zone will be between Punta Pájaros and Punta Herrero, affecting 327 localities and a population of 145,000 people. Federal authorities have not ruled out that Beryl could hit the Mexican Caribbean coast as a Category 3 hurricane, depending on the state of the air currents.

In the Yucatán Peninsula, authorities in Campeche and Yucatán, where a yellow alert is in place, and in Quintana Roo, where some municipalities moved to an orange alert last night, are preparing shelters for those in need.

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In Quintana Roo, 120 shelters are ready to accommodate over 23,000 people, while 33,700 tourists have evacuated the state in recent days. In Cancún, the hotel sector has prepared 96 shelters and 17 self-shelters.

Governor Mara Lezama announced that shelters for pets have also been set up in risk areas. With some municipalities moving to an orange alert, the state leader urged residents to protect windows, secure objects that the wind could throw, and clean roofs, drains, and gutters.

Ferry companies Ultramar and Winjet suspended tourist and cargo crossings today and tomorrow between Playa del Carmen and Cozumel. The Ministry of National Defense (Sedena) warned that 13 neighborhoods in Chetumal are at risk of flooding.

In Yucatán, Governor Mauricio Vila announced last night that they remain under a yellow alert. The state has set up 1,170 temporary shelters, 40 state-run. In a video, the governor announced the suspension of classes and non-essential economic activities from today until further notice. Public transportation services in high-risk areas are also suspended.

Municipal authorities in Mérida plan to protect the wildlife at the Centenario Zoological Park and the Bicentennial Animaya Park. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also announced that it is ready to assist foreigners in the Yucatán Peninsula affected by Beryl's passage.

Double Impact

National Civil Protection Coordinator Laura Velázquez announced that Beryl could land twice in the country.

The hurricane could hit that area of the Gulf of Mexico between Sunday and Monday. She added that more than eight thousand Armed Forces personnel are deployed in the area to assist the population affected by the hurricane's impact on Thursday and Friday.