Category 5 Hurricane Milton left a trail of destruction as it swept through Quinta Roo, including the island of Cozumel. Torrential rains, powerful winds reaching up to 196 mph, and high waves caused beach erosion and damaged infrastructure along the coastline.
In response, a robust government-led cleanup campaign quickly tacked the removal of sargassum, debris and fallen trees, clearing away garbage washed ashore by the storm. As a result, some beaches, like the popular Caletita, are now debris and sargassum-free and ready to welcome visitors once again.
To achieve this milestone in record time, members of the Federal Maritime Land Zone (Zofemat) brigades worked diligently, achieving impressive results, explained Irwin Javier Batún Alpuche, Director of Zofemat.
Sargassum has also been cleared from the seawall on Cozumel Island, stretching from Las Rocas beach to the area where the well-known submarine company operates.
More than 10 tons of sargassum, washed ashore by altered sea currents and strong winds, have been removed from these areas.
Zofemat has conducted a thorough inspection on the other side of the island, and as a result, plans to deploy cleaning crews on Wednesday morning.
Other Quinta Roo Beaches Ready to Receive Tourists
Not only has the island of Cozumel been cleaned of sargassum; but several beaches across Quintana Roo are also now ready to receive visitors again.
Some of these beaches include:
- Playa Tulum: Known for its stunning views and clear waters, Playa Tulum is now free of debris and sargassum and ready for beachgoers.
- Caleta Yalku: Located near Akumal—a small beachfront town on the Yucatán Peninsula famous for swimming with sea turtles—this spot has also been cleared of sargassum and other waste.
- Mahahual Beach: Located in the Costa Maya region, Mahahual has undergone extensive cleanup efforts and is open to visitors once again.
Florida Residents Brace for Hurricane Milton’s Landfall
Authorities have been direct with Florida residents in areas expected to be heavily impacted by Hurricane Milton: “Evacuate while you can.”
“Milton has the potential to be one of the most destructive hurricanes on record for west-central Florida,” the National Hurricane Center stated on Tuesday.
According to multiple weather agencies, the Category 5 storm is expected to make landfall sometime between late Wednesday night and 6 a.m. on Thursday.
The hurricane is predicted to impact nearly the entire western coast of Florida.
The area between Bonita Beach and Chassahowitzka is expected to see over 5 feet of flooding, said Michael Brennan, Director of the National Hurricane Center, on Tuesday.
But this is far from being the worst of the inundation. Pinellas County, Sarasota and especially Tampa Bay, are expected to experience 10 to 15 feet of flooding, Brennan stated.
If you are in the area, don’t hesitate—there’s nothing to think about. Evacuate as soon as possible, as this storm is forecast to become the most devastating natural event seen in the last century in these areas.