How Have Hurricanes Affected Tourists And Expats In Mexico Over The Past 100 Years?

Hurricanes are violent storms that gain momentum as they move across the ocean. They are most likely to form during the summer months when temperatures are highest in the northern hemisphere. Some ultimately make it to land — the coast of Mexico's Pacific Ocean is where they are most likely to touch landfall, however the coasts of the Gulf of Mexico and the Yucatán peninsula also get their fair share of hurricane threats & damage.

About hurricanes in Mexico

Like earthquakes, hurricanes are a unpredictable natural phenomena.

Hurricanes — more accurately known as tropical cyclones — are cyclones of the highest intensity when their sustained wind speed reaches at least 74 mph. Once the storm progresses over the ocean, it gains energy and power, which are then dissipated as the storm passes overland.

Hurricanes have the potential to do significant damage to buildings and property located on or near the coast where they make landfall. In addition, the hurricane's remnants will often pour heavy rainfall on the areas that are impacted by the hurricane further inland.

Hurricane activity each year

Some years, there may be very little or no hurricane activity. However, other years, many hurricanes occur in quick succession and are of varying intensities.

Hurricanes can strike Mexico anytime, from late spring to late fall. However, most years, storms strong enough to be classified as hurricanes usually appear later in the summer or early in the fall.

It is difficult to predict the frequency of storms, the intensity of any specific storm, or the number of storms that will landfall in a given year. When temperatures begin to drop (starting in November), the frequency of storms with hurricane-force winds diminishes materially.

Although some hurricanes travel around the shores without ever making landfall, most do so at some point in their course. Storms of this magnitude will bring gusty winds, which can potentially inflict structural damage along the coasts. The storm's intensity is diminished when it moves farther inland into the central highlands because of Mexico's impressive mountain ranges. However, their presence may bring many days of heavy rain, gloomy weather, and notably cooler inland weather.

Examples of major hurricanes in the past

The most severe hurricane to strike Mexico in recent history was Wilma, which hit the Yucatán peninsula in 2005 and caused significant damage to Cancún and the surrounding area. More recently, in October 2015, Hurricane Patricia made landfall on Mexico's Pacific coast. At the time, meteorologists classified Patricia as the "strongest storm on record."

How to prepare for a hurricane?

Even though most powerful hurricanes can (and do) cause widespread property damage, knock out the internet and power grid, and have the potential to have a severe impact on transportation systems, sophisticated weather monitoring systems, modern communications technology, and current building specifications now mitigate a significant portion of the human risk associated with the storms.

The hottest months of the year — July through October — are also when tropical storms and hurricanes are most likely to strike Mexico, with September and October often being the months with the highest storm activity.

People who live and work in areas prone to hurricanes are used to the annual storm activity and know how to best prepare for it. Although no building can be said to be completely impervious from the forces of nature, contemporary hotel and home structures in Mexico are designed to withstand storms and earthquakes.

Insuring against hurricane damage

If you own a home or condo in an area along Mexico's coast that is prone to hurricanes, you should consider purchasing Mexico Home or Condo Insurance that protects you against physical damage and financial loss. Additionally, if you are thinking about going on a vacation to Mexico, you should buy Travel Insurance to be protected if a hurricane forces you to cut your trip short or cancel it altogether. Look around for an insurance plan that suits your needs, and educate yourself on what is and is not covered in the event of a hurricane.

Whether you are looking for Mexico travel insurance, health insurance, home insurance, or anything in between, West Coast Global Insurance Services can help you find the best plan for your needs and budget. Visit their website here to learn more and to get a quote for the most reliable Mexico insurance coverage available throughout Mexico.

West Coast Global Insurance Services is dedicated to continuously researching our industry for the most comprehensive, best-priced insurance policies available in Mexico.