The relationship between societies and nature.
“The loss of the crops is followed by the most abundant harvests, either because these violent upheavals stir the earth’s breasts and prepare its fertility, or because the hurricane provides some of its materials to the vegetation ... it has been observed that a long serenity results from this disorder and that the destruction of plants serves for their own regeneration ”. The Hurricane, Fernando Ortiz.
The territory of Baja California Sur consists of a narrow and elongated strip of land that extends between the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Cortez; where no point of its terrestrial geography is more than 60 kilometers in width in a straight line from the sea. With such an extension of water from side to side, weather phenomena related to the sea are to be expected.
On the side of the Pacific Ocean, we find ourselves with a fairly active hurricane and cyclone season, which begins regularly in mid May and ends in November. Every year the National Meteorological System and the Department of Meteorology of the Mexican Navy share information on hydrological phenomena such as names and categories of incoming hurricanes and cyclones.
If you have experienced a hurricane closely, and especially a category 3 or higher on the Saffir Simpson scale; perhaps you can remember the adrenaline, the hard sound of the wind crashing, trees struggling not to be detached, torrential rains that flood the land; as well as branches, sticks, and other objects falling and flying everywhere.
It is not a pleasant experience, and if you have not lived through it and suddenly a hurricane traps you, consider the following:
Do not be alarmed; for any situation it is always better to remain calm!
Choose your information sources appropriately: always stay informed from reliable media. Here are our favorite sources:
https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/?epac
If you are in a hotel, they will surely have protocols that you must follow, ask about them.
If you are staying on Airbnb or a rental house, contact your host and ask about vulnerable or high-risk areas of the property.
Protect windows,in case of not having hurricane protection, they should be protected by thick tape and you should find a safe place away from them to protect yourself during the hurricane.
Determine your family's basic needs: if you have young children, elders, or need medications; make the necessary arrangements in advance.
Remember to inform someone in your family or a friend the plan that you will follow during the hurricane. Do not forget to do your shopping: water is important, 1 gallon per person is recommended; food, preferably canned for several days; first aid kit, a flashlight with batteries, matches in a waterproof container, a container for your documents such as passport, IDs, and cards.
Make sure to secure loose objects that can fly away, unplug electronics, and stay home or in a shelter until authorities report the danger is over.
Remember that after the storm comes the calm, and when everything has passed, you can continue enjoying your vacation. Watch the incredible change the desert experiences with even a little rainfall,. Look at how grateful the plants are, how the green color is manifested in the mountains and rejoice on how the cactus bloom with joy.
