The Yucatan peninsula, on alert for the advance of storm Zeta

Dark clouds over Gaviota Azul beach, in Cancun, Mexico, this Monday.Victor Ruiz Garcia / AP

Tropical storm Zeta advances towards the Yucatan Peninsula with winds of 113 kilometers per hour and is expected to land on Cozumel Island, in Quintana Roo, this Monday afternoon as a category 1 hurricane. The authorities consider that the storm will leave strong rains in Yucatán, the Cayman Islands and parts of Cuba with possible flooding in urban areas.

Civil Protection of Mexico has issued an orange alert, which means high danger, for the eastern and northern areas of the State of Quintana Roo and for the entire State of Yucatan except the south.

The governor of Quintana Roo, Carlos Joaquín González, has asked the population through social networks to remain calm and do not buy food in bulk in supermarkets, since only temporary power cuts are expected as happened with the Hurricane Delta.

González recalled that for the moment the phenomenon remains a tropical storm but that it could gain strength as it moves towards the peninsula.

“It practically maintains the same trajectory.

It is estimated that around 7:00 p.m. it will be almost in front of Cozumel, like a category 1 hurricane. [Later] it will enter between Akumal and Playa del Carmen.

That is where the eye of the hurricane is estimated to enter, around 7:30 pm, 8:00 pm ”, he reported.

Authorities estimate that the tropical storm will maintain hurricane status as it approaches the US coast through the Gulf of Mexico on Wednesday, where it could disrupt oil production.

The BP company has evacuated its workers from its plants in the territory.

Here I share this message about the evolution of the #TormentaTropical # Zeta.https: //t.co/J0wr4rpSds pic.twitter.com/Tay4EJm0Qs

- Mauricio Vila (@MauVila) October 26, 2020

In Cancun, the effects of the storm have not yet been felt.

Karol, a local resident, has assured that at the moment "it is only cloudy and it is a little windy".

He acknowledges that there are people who have started shopping at the supermarket and filling the pantry with provisions, since a few weeks ago Hurricane Delta cut off the electricity supply for several days.

“Those of us who have lived in Cancun for years are very calm because we consider that the storm will not be dangerous.

Those who just came and passed Delta recently who were without electricity and services for several days are making panic purchases again and very anxious about the situation, "he said.

González has also reported on Twitter that evacuations are being carried out at Banco Chinchorro, in Othón P. Blanco, Punta Allen, in Tulum, as well as on María Elena Island and Punta Herrero, in Felipe Carrillo Puerto.

The governor has indicated that Zeta will remain over Quintana Roo for six to seven hours.

Work activities have been suspended as of 2:00 p.m. in the municipalities of Tulum, Lázaro Cárdenas, Solidaridad, Puerto Morelos, Benito Juárez, Isla Mujeres and Cozumel.

The local government has asked the population to stay at home after 4:00 pm to avoid accidents.