Tropical storm warnings in north-eastern Mexico have now been lifted, however the UK Foreign Office has warned tourists ‘there remains a risk’. Tropical Storm Alberto hit the Mexican coast on Thursday morning, causing huge floods and leaving three people dead including two children.
The storm has now calmed and storm warnings have been removed, however there remains a risk of heavy rain, landslides, mudslides and flooding. The British Foreign Office has also issued a fresh warning about heavy rainfall affecting large areas along the south-east coast.
It said: “Tropical Storm Alberto made landfall on the morning of Thursday, June 20 in north-eastern Mexico. The storm has now calmed and tropical storm warnings have been lifted, however there remains a risk of heavy rains, landslides, mudslides and flooding, including flash flooding in both rural and urban areas.”
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The government added: “Heavy rainfall associated with the storm system is also affecting large regions along the southeast coast of Mexico, including the Yucatan Peninsula, with flooding and mudslides likely.”
Every year, tropical cyclones lead to losses of life in Mexico, as well as immense damage to property, transport, electricity and communication infrastructure. Tropical cyclones feed on heat that is released when moist air rises and ‘hurricane season’ happens in the months in which an area of sea is at its warmest – usually June to November in the Northern Hemisphere Tropics and November to April in the Southern region.
Tropical cyclones can cause high winds, which can then cause severe damage to buildings, trees and lead to flying debris, or a storm surge that floods coastal areas and very heavy rainfall, leading to localised or widespread flooding. UK tourists with holidays booked to Mexico should keep an eye on Foreign Office advice.
Earlier this week, the Foreign Office also updated its travel advice affecting all UK tourists visiting Mexico. Travellers have been warned to check their passports well before their trip as they may need to renew earlier than expected.
Unlike many destinations in Europe, which require UK tourists to have three months left on their passports to enter the country, Mexico’s embassy in the UK advises visitors to have at least 180 days left on their passports until they expire. The advice reads: “If you are visiting Mexico, your passport should be valid for the length of your stay in Mexico.
“Mexico’s embassy in the UK, as a general recommendation, are advising for passports to be valid for at least 180 days because this is the maximum time you can remain in Mexico as a tourist.”
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