Friday, June 6, 2025

Pacific hurricane season is officially underway. Are you prepared?

Pacific hurricane season has officially begun and though no tropical cyclones are currently predicted, authorities warned Pacific coastal residents to stay informed and be ready for the coming storms.

The 2025 hurricane season began on May 15 in the northeast Pacific Ocean. The season will kick off June 1 in the Atlantic Ocean. On both coasts, the season ends on November 30. 

Flooding in Acapulco after Tropical Storm John
Mexico hopes to avoid the large-scale disaster of past storms, like Hurricane John last year in Acapulco. (Cuartoscuro)

Although these dates are statistically established, authorities warn that tropical cyclones can form before or after this period, and urge the public to stay informed and prepared.

Authorities announced the start of hurricane season to raise awareness in vulnerable communities and to boost prevention strategies. Between May and August, state and municipal authorities intensify Civil Protection efforts, including information campaigns, drills, preventive evacuations and river dredging to mitigate the risk of flooding.

Hurricane preparation

According to Conagua and Civil Protection, the best defense against hurricanes is early preparation. Recommendations include:

  • Inspecting your roof and windows for leaks before storms develop
  • Have a hurricane kit with first aid supplies, a radio with regularly charged batteries and important documents stored in a water-proof bag.
  • Know your evacuation routes and establish family meet-up points.
  • Follow official sources like SMN and Conagua for information and avoid spreading rumors.

Which states are the most vulnerable to hurricanes?

Coastal states are most vulnerable to hurricanes, while states in central Mexico are somewhat sheltered behind mountain slopes — the Sierra Madres act as natural barriers that weaken the winds and disrupt the circulation of a cyclone. Winds can unleash their full power in flat areas.

Areas with low-income communities are particularly exposed. According to weather news outlet Meteored, over 48% of Mexican municipalities live in poverty, which is where disasters commonly occur, especially in the southern states. Vulnerability is further compounded by heavy rainfall, deterioration of watersheds, deforestation and environmental degradation.

 On average, tropical cyclones account for 86.5% of the annual disaster costs in Mexico, mainly due to the large quantities of water they produce. The 2020 Atlantic hurricane season was the most active on record, with 30 named storms, prompting weather forecasters to use Greek letters to name additional systems.

 With reports from Vanguardia and El Sol de la Laguna

Have something to say? Paid Subscribers get all access to make & read comments.
workers in orange vests wade through water filled with sargassum seaweed

Record levels of sargassum could invade Quintana Roo beaches this summer

0
With millions of metric tons of seaweed floating in the Atlantic, the sargassum starting to pile up on Quintana Roo beaches is just the beginning.
several men seated at a dais

Governors of northeastern states agree to team up against border region insecurity

0
Repatriated immigrants are a rich source of crime victims near the border. Tamaulipas, Coahuila and Nuevo León want to work together to deal with the resulting rise in insecurity.
A woman picks up plastic bottles on a beach

National Beach Cleanup Strategy aims to eliminate plastic pollution

2
The new environmental plan kicked off Thursday with a national beach cleanup day, in honor of World Environment Day.