48 Homes in Cozumel at Risk: Urgent hurricane threat to vulnerable neighborhoods

In Cozumel, Quintana Roo, 48 homes are under threat this hurricane season. These homes, which house 245 residents, including eight individuals with disabilities, are spread across ten neighborhoods and have been identified as vulnerable due to their fragile construction. The Municipal Civil Protection Directorate has been closely monitoring these areas based on their risk maps.

The Specialized Operational Committee on Hydrometeorological Phenomena 2024 was established on June 4th. This committee is tasked with managing emergencies that may arise from the impact of any cyclones during this hurricane season. Seven shelters, situated in schools and religious centers, have been prepared for this purpose.

In tandem with these efforts, a Risk Atlas of the island has been developed. This is particularly important given Cozumel's status as a tourist hotspot that welcomes millions of cruise passengers every year. The Risk Atlas has identified 48 homes built from weak materials such as wood and sheet metal, making them susceptible to windstorms during hydrometeorological events. These homes are located in the neighborhoods of: April 10th, Emiliano Zapata, Félix González, Family Orchards, Independence, The Farms, Ranchitos, Chen-Tuk, Cuzamil Settlers and San Miguel 1 and 2. Evacuation strategies have been developed for these areas if necessary.

According to the 2020 INEGI census, Cozumel has a total of 26,413 registered households. While the homes at risk represent a small percentage of this total, they are mostly located in newly established neighborhoods. The Félix González neighborhood, with 18 at-risk homes, is the most affected, followed by Ranchitos with 11.

The Félix González neighborhood is of particular concern as it houses the majority of residents with disabilities and has the largest population of minors, with 26 out of the 80 surveyed. In addition to the seven temporary shelters prepared for this hurricane season, the island of Cozumel only has three permanent shelters available in the event of a hurricane strike.

PROTECT THE REEFS