Hurricane Dean Closes on Cancun
August 18, 2007 9:20 pm Previous Hurricanes ArchiveHurricane Dean is a little less than 48 hours away from making what may be a catastrophic landfall in the Yucatan Peninsula. Here in Cancun, Mexico it is very much a case of the lull before the storm. Cancunense folk, hardened by the experience of Wilma in 2005, are measured and calm and going about their preparations for a hurricane of yet unknown proportions.
The Hurricane Dean forecasts today have not produced any major changes, as Dean continues along his wrecking path. Jamaica is due for a severe pummeling tomorrow and us the day after. Dean remains a category 4 hurricane, boasting sustained wind speeds of 150mph and gusts up to 185mph, but is expected to reach Category 5 status in the next 6 – 8 hours.
The computer models are beginning to converge, and there seems to be a concensus that moves the Yucatan landfall ever so slightly southwards, which if the trend continues could be good news for Cancun. However, with hurricane force winds extending for some 60 miles and likely to grow there is a very real danger that this will be a big one for Cancun, even if we don’t suffer a direct strike.
The sounds of saws and hammers continues into the night as people board their windows and there is little to do but sit back and wait and see where we all are in 36 hours time.
Posted by Steve
August 18th, 2007 at 10:06 pm
Great job with this blog. We have family in the vicinity and having a “real life” perspective on what’s going on + someone that’s reporting on conditions on the ground is a true help!
Thanks a million and stay safe.
August 19th, 2007 at 4:14 am
Thank you for the updates as this is a very nervous and anxious time. Wish we could be with friends and family there to help. Stay safe…lots of good thoughts and prayers are with you.
August 19th, 2007 at 5:58 am
Good luck to you all out there in Cancun. I was staying ay the Hilton when Wilma came through and spent 4 days in a shelter with other guests and staff. Fingers crossed that you don’t get a direct hit. Take care and stay safe.
August 19th, 2007 at 7:24 am
We have a holiday booked to arrive in Cancun on tuesday. Do you think it will be safe to go? I have never been there before and am not sure how much of a threat hurricane Dean really is. any comments would be appreciated. thanks
August 19th, 2007 at 8:15 am
I was supposed to be honeymooning in Cancun beginning 8/27. I cancelled because I was afraid of the potential damage.
Going to Aruba instead- Hopefully Cancun will be spared so we can make it there at Christmas time.
August 19th, 2007 at 8:35 am
We had planned a family reunion and surprise 40th birthday in Cancun. I am scheduled to fly today (Sun) with my family and the rest of us tomorrow. Continental hasn’t canceled flights! They are still taking people down there. I am trying to wait for them to cancel our flight so we can get a refund. If I cancel all I get is credit (times 13 people is too much credit!)
This is the only week when all 13 have no school, camp or work commitments!! Are people being evacuated and are airports closed? Will hotels take us in if we come?? What do we do?
August 19th, 2007 at 8:59 am
Mio figlio è alloggiato presso il Best Western hotel, è previsto un piano di evacuazione e se sì per quando? non riesco a comunicare con lui, potreste fornirmi indicazioni?
August 19th, 2007 at 9:48 am
Nick- Thanks for the kind words, I wish your family all the best.
Linda- We appreciate your thoughts, I hope your friends and family are in a safe place.
Pete- Thanks for the well wishes. I imagine your experience during Wilma will be with you for a lifetime.
Veronica- Keep checking with the airlines, right now I don’t think the airport will be open on Tuesday barring a miracle.
Susan- Sorry you’ll be missing Cancun, have a wonderful honeymoon in Aruba and congrats on the wedding. Come to Cancun for your anniversary!
Karen- That’s a frustrating situation! Keep us posted as to what the airline is doing for you. I would contact your hotel directly and ask about their policies and their plans. I wish I could tell you what to do, but it’s really in the hands of the airlines at this point.
Sonia- I hope I understood your post correctly, you know someone staying at a Best Western hotel and are looking for when they might be evacuated. At this point no one is being evacuated, most likely it will happen tomorrow morning. We will know a bit more later today after Dean passes over Jamaica. I wish you all the best and apologize for not knowing more Italian!
August 19th, 2007 at 10:10 am
Are there any official government statements asking tourists to stay away? If I could print that out and submit it to Continental I am thinking that maybe they would consider a refund. I get the feeling that our flights will go to Cancun empty for the purpose of bringing others home. I really need to build my case with them…
August 19th, 2007 at 1:04 pm
What is the liklehood of Cancun being a scene of total devistation in October. We are due to arrive there for a surprise holiday for my wife.
August 19th, 2007 at 1:08 pm
Hello All,
Im so sad to hear yet again Cancun will face such hardship.My fiance and I were just in Cancun last weekend, Its our Fav. Place on Earth.
We have booked our wedding for June 2008 and I pray Cancun will be OK.
“Please God Look After Cancun adn all the wonderful people.”
August 19th, 2007 at 10:23 pm
I too was in Cancun when Wilma hit and spet 6 days in the shelter. I have also booked just this week to go back this year in October. Everybody thinks I’m mad but I wanted to give something back to the country where the amazing people looked after us all so well during our stay in the shelter. I am watching the news every hour and tracking Dean on the internet. Myself and my husband are praying hard that Cancun and it’s people are spared another tragedy. Stay safe.
August 19th, 2007 at 10:43 pm
supposed to fly out to cancun from gatwick today, travel agent cancelled holiday on us yesturday, was told no flights were going out as it was too dangerous. couldn’t even give us another holiday to another destination, very disappointed!
August 20th, 2007 at 1:38 am
MIRANDA
We love you!!! We’re praying for you & everyone there.
Your favorite class!
Spring 07′
August 20th, 2007 at 1:44 am
Karen- Here’s a link to the State of Quintana Roo website and the orange alert. It is in Spanish, but the airlines might pay attention…
http://www.quintanaroo.gob.mx/qroo/WebPage.php?Pagina=Nota.php&IdNota=3447
John Ross- Total devastation is extremely unlikely. Wilma couldn’t do it, Dean certainly can’t. No telling what may come before October, it’s a long way away weather-wise.
Sherri- Thanks for the support, everyone here appreciates it.
Sandra- Thanks to you as well for your thoughts and your support, I know there are many people who were here for Wilma that came back to support the people that helped them in a difficult time.
McCullough Family- So sorry your travel agent couldn’t come through for you with an alternative, that’s awful! Hope you find something fun to do with your holiday.
August 20th, 2007 at 2:26 am
[...] Hurricane Cancun [...]
August 20th, 2007 at 2:54 am
I love cancun, came back from a holiday in the Riu Las Americas last 2 weeks in june 07, a stunning place, my fear is for the lovely beach… i think lasttime when wilma hit it too the beach with it! takes a long time to fix!
I will be coming back, but the fear of a hurricane is always in the back of your mind. I was looking to maybe buy an apartment over there…. Hope there is not too much damage!
August 20th, 2007 at 2:58 am
My wife and I just visited Cancun for the first time two weeks ago. What a beautiful place with some of the nicest people we have ever met. We pray that damgage will be minimal if any. We look forward to visiting again in two years.
August 20th, 2007 at 4:25 am
McCullough Family- did you get your money back for the holiday? We are meant to be flying out on tuesday morning from Gatwick (with Going Places) so we may get cancelled too.
It’s hard to believe such a beautiful place can be faced with such destruction.
My prayers go out to everyone there…
August 20th, 2007 at 4:26 am
Let’s hope this mother nature doesnt claim as many lives as predicted. Im from Newcastle in England and have been listening to the devistation unfold. Lets hope they stay safe. Our thoughs are with those who’s familys and so on are effected. Bless you all.
Scott x
August 20th, 2007 at 4:48 am
im meant to be going to cancun on 28th of this month with first choice,i hope dean will miss and the holiday will be on but im wondering if they will do alternatives if its cancelled?
August 20th, 2007 at 4:52 am
Continental refunded our money for the tickets! I read them the government statement and there was little they could say! The Fiesta Americana also took good care of us. So, we will reschedule and visit the lovely Cancun soon.
Thanks foor all your help and be careful. Great job with this site!
August 20th, 2007 at 4:55 am
Veronica and Scott, thanks for your thoughts!
Andy P- Hopefully all will be well for your trip, if not, contact First Choice and ask what their policies are. Wish I could help more but don’t know much about their company, good luck and hopefully you’ll be here.
Karen- That’s great news, glad they were willing to listen. I hope your newly rescheduled trip goes better than this one! (You still have a week off work, right? Enjoy!)
August 20th, 2007 at 7:19 am
hi
I have a trip planned for cancun for September 1st and i was wondering if there were damage to cancun and i pray to god there isnt…will travel to cancun continue or will flights be cancelled for some time after?
I cross my fingers for all the residents and travelers in Cancun right now…i wish the best of luck to you all
August 20th, 2007 at 8:45 am
Im in cancun at the moment, i have managed to switch (monday), our hotel has been borded up and many of the shops and clubs are already closed in anticiation of the storm. i have taken the advice of local people and am getting out of Cancun. All the best to anyone who is unable to do so but if you can i would say this was the best course of action.
August 20th, 2007 at 8:46 am
correction to previous comment….
switch my flight to (monday 19th) rather than the original date of 25th.
August 20th, 2007 at 8:53 am
We first visited Cancun in 1980, when it was just being built as a tourist destination. We’ve gone back every year for the past 10 years. It’s like a second home to us. The people are warm and wonderful and the beaches are paradise! Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Cancun, hoping that Dean will take a turn out to sea. Good luck, and God bless you.
August 20th, 2007 at 9:34 am
Jamie- I think by September 1st you’ll have a lot more information at hand to try to make any decisions. I can’t see the airport being closed that long, they’ll do everything they can to get that open first.
Simon- Glad to hear you got some good advice, sorry your trip is being cut short. Get home safely.
Lori- Thanks for your thoughts, nice to hear from a Cancun veteran.
August 20th, 2007 at 11:17 am
All my best, please keep us updated! I’m supposed to be in Cancun on August 30, I hope I’m able to make the trip!
August 20th, 2007 at 11:22 am
Cancun is by far our favorite place to visit! We visit at least once every year. We actually were on the first of 2 plane legs when news of Wilma became available. We did not make the final leg of the trip, due to our own fears. (Alaska Airlines was totally accomodating although our flight did continue on its way to Cancun (not such a great thing in my opinion by dumping more people to be taken care of by the residents and government of Cancun). In the end our hotel was evacuated the day after we would have arrived. In my opinion that last thing that any city in a dangerous hurricane situation needs is a bunch of tourists to take care of on top of their own residents. We are watching closely from Oregon and praying that the hurricane will do as little damage as possible to everyone from here on out. Thank you for the wonderful website that you have assembled. We hope for your safety and will see your beautiful city in November as planned!
Sincerely, Gina
August 20th, 2007 at 1:13 pm
Leaving for homeymoon on september 1st. Good luck out there. Been following developments on the internet but this is by far the best site so far. Keep up the good work.
August 20th, 2007 at 6:37 pm
Good luck to everyone in Cancun, i hope for everyones sake it by-passes.
I am flying there on the 27th of august and would like to know if i am best to cancel my holiday?
October 28th, 2007 at 6:29 am
is anyone going to cancun the 1st of nov 20007 i’m worried about the weather in your opinion is is safe ?
July 21st, 2008 at 1:20 pm
My boyfriend went to Mexico…not sure exactly where about but he said they where close to cosumel. He left last wed and hes to return on this wed. Im worried about him