Cozumel News June 1, 2015: The 2015 Hurricane Season Starts Today, The Cozumel 2015 Hurricane Preparation Checklist, How to prepare for a hurricane, What to do during a hurricane, What to do after a hurricane, Cozumel On-Going Garage Sale, Update on my Cozumel Finca Family, Changes in the Cozumel Sun News, The Cozumel Women’s Breakfast Group and The Cozumel Men’s Breakfast Group. .
The 2015 Hurricane Season Starts Today
The Comisión Permanente de Contingencias (Copeco) put out an official statement announcing that today is the official start of hurricane season 2015 in the Atlantic Ocean. The formation of seven natural phenomena expected in the Atlantic this year.
The names of Atlantic hurricanes will be Ana, Bill, Claudette, Danny, Erika, Fred, Grace, Henri, Ida, Joaquin, Kate, Larry, Mindy, Nicholas, Odette, Peter, Rose Sam, Teresa, Victor and Wanda.
The 2014 hurricane season in the Atlantic, Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico closed with eight named tropical systems (including tropical storms and hurricanes) and a tropical depression. There had been 10 named hurricanes (six storms and four hurricanes) predicted.
The prediction scheme is based upon on four factors: sea temperature, wind intensity, the phenomenon (El Niño or La Niña) and the sea level pressure.
According to the news portal Tiempo, the hurricanes season of in the Pacific Ocean started on May 15. The prediction for the Pacific is an average of 19 tropical cyclones, of which eight would reach the category of tropical storms and seven would be major hurricanes (categories 1 is expected and 2 on the Saffir-Simpson scale). The National Hurricane Center in Miami (NOAA) predicts four will reach the rank of major hurricanes (Category 3, 4 or 5).
The Cozumel 2015 Hurricane Preparation Checklist
It is very important to have a checklist of things to prepare for in the event of a hurricane in Cozumel. The Hurricane Season lasts six months from June 1 through November 30. Cozumel has not had a severe hurricane since Hurricane Wilma in 2005. Experts are predicting the formation of seven natural phenomena expected in the Atlantic this year.
Below are detail instructions on what to do to prepare for hurricane season as well as what to do during and after a hurricane.
How to prepare for a hurricane:
Stay on top of information provided by the authorities. Listen to the radio or TV for information.
Cover all of your home’s windows with pre-cut plywood or hurricane shutters to protect your windows from high winds.
Bring in all outdoor furniture, potted plants, decorations, and garbage cans, anything that is not a permanent fixture.
Turn off all power breakers, turn off and disconnect all gas tanks, and check for gas leaks.
Install a generator for emergencies. If you do not have a generator and must keep Insulin or other medication refrigerated, arrange to store it with someone that has one well in advance.
Reinforce your garage doors; if wind enters a garage, it can cause dangerous and expensive structural damage. Reinforce your gates.
Keep all trees and shrubs well trimmed so they are more wind resistant.
Secure your home by closing shutters, and securing outdoor objects or again, bringing them inside.
Ensure that you have a supply of water for sanitary purposes such as cleaning and flushing toilets. Fill large containers with water, and the bathtub if you have one.
You should have a first aid kit. Do not forget a battery operated radio with new batteries, lanterns or flashlights, cellular telephone, blankets, bedspreads, candles, and matches.
Protect your documents, money, and personal belongings. You should have a place that these items that is water and fireproof, safe from all damage.
You should have a supply of non- perishable food on hand (canned, bottled, and/or boxed) and bottled water that can last you for 3 to 4 days. In case of flooding, food should be stored on shelves that will be safely out of the way of contaminated water. Make sure to have bottled water stored where it will be as safe as possible from flooding.
Turn the refrigerator thermostat to its coldest setting and keep its doors closed. Check to ensure that the freezer temperature is at or below 0 °F and the refrigerator is at or below 40 °F.
Make sure you have appliance thermometers in your refrigerator and freezer.
In case of a power outage, the appliance thermometers will indicate the temperatures in the refrigerator and freezer to help you determine if the food is safe.
Freeze containers of water for ice to help keep food cold in the freezer, refrigerator, or coolers in case the power goes out. If your normal water supply is contaminated or unavailable, the melting ice will also supply drinking water.
Freeze refrigerated items such as leftovers, milk, and fresh meat and poultry that you may not need immediately. This helps keep them at a safe temperature longer.
Group food together in the freezer. This helps the food stay cold longer.
Have coolers on hand to keep refrigerated food cold if the power will be out for more than 4 hours.
Purchase or make ice cubes in advance and store in the freezer for use in the refrigerator or in a cooler. Freeze gel packs ahead of time for use in coolers.
Anticipate and prepare in advance for transportation, nutritional and medical needs.
If the authorities from Civil Protection tell you to evacuate your home, do so. Do not hesitate, leave immediately, and find a shelter.
If you have, pets contact Animal Control Centro at 872-5795. They will provide a safe haven for your pets.
What to do during a hurricane:
Authorities will transmit information on the weather conditions every three hours as the storm approaches and during the storm.
Stay away from the sea. Stay indoors during the hurricane and away from windows and glass doors away from heavy winds.
Close all interior doors—secure and brace external doors.
Keep curtains and blinds closed. Do not be fooled if there is a lull; it could be the eye of the storm – winds will pick up again.
Take refuge in a small interior room, closet, or hallway on the lowest level.
Lie on the floor under a table or another sturdy object.
DO NOT leave your home or shelter until the authorities have announced it is safe to do so.
BEWARE OF THE EYE OF THE HURRICANE!
If the eye of the hurricane passes over the island, it will be calm. During this time, DO NOT GO outside of your home or shelter. The winds will regain new strength and without warning start blowing in the opposite direction.
Once The Power Goes Out:
Here are basic tips for keeping food safe:
Keep the refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible to maintain the cold temperature.
The refrigerator will keep food cold for about 4 hours if it is unopened.
A full freezer will keep the temperature for approximately 48 hours (24 hours if it is half-full) if the door remains closed.
If you plan to eat refrigerated or frozen meat, poultry, fish, or eggs while it is still at safe temperatures, it is important that each item be cooked thoroughly to the proper temperature to assure that any food borne bacteria that may be present is destroyed. However, if at any point the foods were above 40 °F for 2 hours or more — discard it.
Wash fruits and vegetables with water from a safe source before eating.
For infants, try to use prepared, canned baby formula that requires no added water. Concentrated or powdered formulas should be prepared with bottled water if the local water source is potentially contaminated.
What to do after a hurricane:
Be careful with fences, walls, houses, and buildings that might be in danger of collapse. Do not touch fallen cables.
Do not move anyone that is seriously injured, instead, call the authorities.
Continue listening for information transmitted by authorities, and if you can join to help in the reconstruction and clean up.
You will need to determine the safety of your food. Here is how:
If an appliance thermometer was kept in the freezer, check the temperature when the power comes back on and If the thermometer reads 40°F or below, the food is safe for consumption and may be refrozen.
If a thermometer has not been kept in the freezer, check each package of food to determine its safety. You cannot rely on appearance or odor, if the food still contains ice crystals or is 40 °F or below, it is safe to refreeze or cook.
Refrigerated food should be safe as long as the power was out for no more than 4 hours and the refrigerator door was kept shut. Discard any perishable food (such as meat, poultry, fish, eggs, or leftovers) that has been above 40°F for two hours or more.
Keep in mind that perishable food such as meat, poultry, seafood, milk, and eggs that are not kept adequately refrigerated or frozen may cause illness if consumed, even when they are thoroughly cooked.
Aurita’s Corner
Happy June 1 and much needed Rain Cozumel! Elections will be held soon and the press releases should be back on track by next week, once again enabling me to report first hand information on what is going on in our fair island.
Changes in the Cozumel Sun News
I am slowly transitioning to becoming a truly retired senior citizen. I am considering two options. Finding someone that wants to completely take it over (dream on Aurita!) or get someone to volunteer to help, so I can continue providing this community service without neglecting my family and myself.
The Sun is such a labor of love for me that it is difficult to let go. The Sun has in no way provided any sort of viable income; it does not pay for itself. However, it has enabled me to help many Cozumel families and connected me with others that also want to help. This has been a great tool for letting my readers know about my projects. As you know, I feed, clothed, and help the poor to improve their living conditions as much as my money will allow. There are many people quietly doing so on the island, but the need is great. If you are interested in writing, or helping me with my projects, or know of anyone that might be interested, please let me know.
I will not be seeking to sell advertising for the Cozumel sun. I am removing the logo of sponsors currently in the Sun when their current contract ends. I will stop advertising for them on the Face Book pages.
I am switching to donations. I will place the company logo of any business that donates to the Cozumel Sun through PayPal, or an in-kind contribution such as a company gift certificate. Everyone is invited to advertise his or her business in my Face book pages. It was always my intention to help Cozumel Businesses free of charge, not try to make money of them. If you need my help advertising a special event, I will be more than happy to help you.
Update on Cozumel Finca Family
I visited the Paredes family Saturday. Actually, I picked up Angelica (Mom) and children Aurora and Jose and brought them into town for an over-night at my home. Angelica’s father has moved in with them. He came from a little town called Tekax. He was unable to find work there so he came to the big city. He has enrolled in the DIF program for seniors and will soon be one of the seniors bagging groceries at Soriana Grocery Store. First thing, Sunday morning Dad Antonio and his father in law showed up for breakfast. I learned there was no food in the house when I picked them up. Therefore, it was 12 for breakfast before church on Sunday. I had them go through my garage sale room and pick out everything they needed. They all spent the day and accompanied us to a birthday party Sunday afternoon. We dropped everyone at home Sunday evening (with food, clothing and party favorites).
The Little House in The Fincas: Their one room home looks beautiful. It does to us anyway, that saw it before all you wonderful people helped me get it livable. The cement and bricks purchased with the donation from Ines at Buccanos has given them a dry and secure home. Angelica has a little garden on either side of the front door and inside the one room living space looks cozy. They now have an actual bed courtesy of my friend Joyce with pillows and bedspread and everything. The table and stool set that I donated sits in the other corner. Antonio (Dad) built in a cement closet to accommodate all their belongings. The digging is done (and plumbing) so the room that was a closet is now ready to become a bathroom. This part was very time consuming. Antonio has cemented the walls and used the donated floor tiles in the bathroom area. It is going to look beautiful! The bathroom set donated by Eva at Blue Angel is just about ready to be put in! The house is not painted and we are still waiting for the electric company put up heavy-duty wiring.
Cozumel On-Going Garage Sale
Every Saturday from nine in the morning to three in the afternoon the last two weekends, I have held a garage sale in my little home office. With the exception of items from a couple of girlfriends, I am slowly going through my home and selling everything that I do not need. I found many things, I tend to hoard things and throw out nothing. With little advertising, it has gone surprisingly well. I use the money to buy food for the people that I care for and give the poor the first shot at the shoes, clothing, and house wares free.
I will need more things! There is only so much that I can drag out of my house, I need donated second hand clothing and kitchen ware, pots, pans, dishes, forks knives, etc. Go through your homes and give me everything that you do not need. I will send someone to pick it up if you wish, call me at 987-120-5903 (casa) or 987-118-4453 (cell) U.S. # 386-445-8702. On the other hand, even better, come by and visit! I am at #1081 35 Avenida entre Calles 17 ^ 15 Bis.
I have hundreds of paperbacks, DVD movies and VHs movies. I would love to have an exchange library in this area. Again, I need help getting all this done!
The Cozumel Women’s Breakfast Group
The Cozumel Women’s Breakfast Group is a great place to network and exchange information! All Women are welcome to join us, even if you are just visiting our beautiful Island!
For the summer months, Women’s Breakfast will meet at La Candela, Wednesday’s at 9 a.m. They can handle a large or small group without any notice. .La Candela is located on Avenida 5 on the Corner of Calle 6 near San Miguel Clinic.
If you, as a group, decide you would like to go somewhere else, just let me know (Susan Elliot) and I will send out the notice to everyone. If you have a better idea, I am all ears. It is up to you! Have a great summer and enjoy your breakfast!
Do not forget, if you have not signed up for the new email list and you would like to be included please do so at cozumelwomensbreakfast@gmail.com. (Susan Elliot).
The Cozumel Men’s Breakfast Group
We are re-instituting the ancient and revered tradition of “Men’s Breakfast”. At last, a vehicle for the passage of knowledge, wisdom and the Cozumel way. If you have some knowledge of “how things work” on the island, you should come. If you do not, you really should come.
Breakfast is every Friday at 8:30 a.m. at “Fogo do Brasil”, the Brazilian restaurant on the second floor. Fogo is located on Melgar Avenida just south of Calle 5. This is where the McDonalds used to be.If you have problems with the escalator, the staff will stop it for you so you may get on and off and reverse directions when you depart.
