Emergency Preparation in Paradise

Emergency Preparation in Paradise:

Ensuring Your Safety and Security in Puerto Morelos

Last updated 6/28/2024 ~SB.

While our usual blog posts are about the beauty and lovely experiences here, we wanted to also create a series of posts that would provide important helpful information about visiting or living in Puerto Morelos. This first post in the series is all about emergency preparation in paradise, and this post highlights the importance of being prepared for medical emergencies, hurricanes, heat emergencies, flooding, pet emergencies, and car accidents.

While you’re on vacation, the last thing you want to think about is an emergency, but it is always a great idea to familiarize yourself with local emergency information (and maybe bookmark or screenshot this post in case internet is down when an emergency happens!) so that you know what to do in the event that you need it.

Emergency prepartion is vital in Puerto Morelos especially since it is a coastal town where the heat and humidity can be intense and where natural emergencies like strong rain storms or hurricanes can create issues with flooding and lack of electricity. Without further ado, let’s get right to it!

Emergency Contacts

The city of Puerto Morelos lists the following emergency numbers for use within the municipality of Puerto Morelos:

• Emergencies – 911
• Tourist Services – 078 from a Mexican phone
• Civil Protection – +529981886794
• Fire Department – +529981096636
• Public Safety/Transportation – +529981507035

Do you have a report or suggestion about the garbage collection service in Puerto Morelos? Call the city of Puerto Morelos at +52 998 183 0300 between 9am-5pm Monday through Friday.

While 911 is the main emergency number in the state of Quintana Roo, sometimes we need help for something that isn’t a medical emergency or accident.

Here there are numbers for:

• Emergencies – 911
• Direct Lines for Immediate Assistance
  • +52-983-154-3905
  • +52-998-891-4032
  • +52-983-154-7941
  • +52-983-164-6999
• Water leaks 073 – from a Mexican phone
• Tow trucks – +52-921-130-9423 OR +52-983-839-4171
• Social issues +52-998-101-1857

Natural Disaster Emergency Preparation

Hurricanes:
As a coastal town, Puerto Morelos is vulnerable to hurricanes during that season from June through November each year. Secure your property, stock essential supplies, and monitor official updates to safeguard lives and minimize damage.

It is important to know where to get updates and what the different warning levels mean. One of the best places to find local updates is on the Ayuntamiento de Puerto Morelos Facebook page (Spanish only). In the event of a hurricane, their posts are typically shared on English language Facebook pages as well, such as True Friends and Expats of Puerto Morelos group. Look for posts there by Phyllis Lanius on the True Friends group as she is a Consular Liaison Volunteer with the US Consulate so she’s got valuable information to share in the event of emergencies or other major events that might impact you.

Hurricane Season is from June 1st – November 30th. Puerto Morelos uses a color system to alert residents about the risk on any given day. We’ll go through what the different colors mean and what the recommendations are based on the levels of risk.

• Blue is minimal risk. A Tropical cyclone was detected that could imact Puerto Morelos. Remain attentive to weather reports.
• Green is low risk. Remain attentive to weather reports and watch for official communications from the Ayuntamiento de Puerto Morelos with further directions.
• Yellow is moderate risk. Maintain higher interest in the official weather reports. Take steps to protect yourself, your family and your home. Know where the emergency shelters are in Puerto Morelos. Be prepared for possible evacuation.
• Orange is high risk. Evacuate high risk zones and constructions. Shelter in a safe place. Follow instructions from authorities. Suspend any maritime activities.
• Red is extreme danger. The entire population should take shelter. Follow instructions from authorities.

The Puerto Morelos municipality recommends that people prepare an emergency backpack with all your important items gathered into one place so that you can easily evacuate in an emergency. 

• Important documents with a copy on USB drive
• First Aid kit and any medications your family or your pets take
• Radio, flashlight, and plenty of batteries
• A lighter, emergency whistle and contact information for family and friends
• Enough food and water for at least 4 days (for you and your pets). Make sure you consider that you may not be able to cook like you normally do, so choose options that you can eat without heating/cooking and that won’t spoil without refrigeration.
• Toys, diapers, diaper wipes, and food/formula to take care of and entertain your kids for at least 4 days
• Keys to the house and cars as well as basic tools
• Face masks for the whole family, disinfecting wipes, and gel/spray antibacterial gel.

Unless it’s already in your emergency kit in your car (see recommendations further down in this post) I would also add:

• Heavy duty garbage bags for cleanup
• Zip lock bags
• Rubber gloves and work gloves for cleanup
• Duct tape
• Rain gear – rubber boots, rain coat or poncho
• Generator
• Cell phone cable and solar/rechargable power bank
• Rechargable/solar fans
• Rechargable/solar lights and/or candles
• Battery operated water pump for your garrafones
• Baby wipes for personal hygiene if you’re unable to shower.
• Large containers to collect water to flush toilets, wash hands, clean dishes, etc. I bought an inflatable bathtub which fits in my shower so that I can store a large quantity of water before the storm hits and power goes out.
• A large squeege to help push water back out of the house.

Preparing your Home for a Hurricane

If you own a home here in Puerto Morelos, you also need to know what to do to protect your home prior to a hurricane arriving, what to do during the hurricane, and what to expect afterwards. Run Away Realty puts out a great series of monthly posts on Facebook about home maintenance reminders for each season, and they also put out this helpful guide called “Weathering the Storm: Hurricane Season 2024 in Puerto Morelos”.   Be sure to read and start putting their recommendations in place so you’re prepared when a storm comes.

During hurricane season, it is especially important that we all do our part to help avoid flooding caused by an accumulation of garbage on the roadways. Throw trash out in approved containers, make sure to clean the culverts and drains near your home, and clean debris off your roof to avoid standing water.

Angeles Verdes are your guardian angels on the road in Mexico and will come to help you if you break down. They published this infographic of items to bring with you on roadtrips in case you have a mechanical issue. The list includes:

• Gloves
• Jumper cables
• Electrical tape
• A reflective vest
• A rain jacket
• A fire extinguisher
• A hydraulic jack
• A reflective triangle
• A set of wrenches, screw drivers, and pliers
• At least 3 liters of water
• Portable cell phone charger (pre-charged)
• Flashlight
• Drinking water
• First Aid kit

If you drive in the rain, the city of Puerto Morelos makes the following recommendations:

• 1) Turn your lights on an lower your speed.
• 2) Avoid going through the puddles that form because you can lose control of your vehicle.
• 3) If you can’t avoid the puddles, decrease your speed and turn on your hazzard lights.
• 4) If the rain gets worse, look for a safe (higher ground) place to stop your car until it passes.

US Citizens living in Mexico

Canadian Citizens living in Mexico