Flights Canceled in Mexico as Hurricane Beryl Rips Through Region

Hurricane Beryl made landfall near Tulum, Mexico early Friday (July 5) morning, and is crossing the Yucatán Peninsula, bringing with it life-threatening conditions.

The Category 2 hurricane hit the peninsula with wind speeds as high as 110 mph. This is only the third July hurricane to ever hit the region, with the most recent being 2005’s Hurricane Emily.

In anticipation of the storm, Tulum Airport suspended operations on July 4 at 2:00 p.m. and will not resume air traffic until July 7, 12:00 p.m. Officials are asking the public not to seek shelter in the facilities due to safety concerns.

Cancún Airport remains open, but the airport canceled at least 348 flights scheduled for Friday through Sunday (July 5 to 7), and many others have been delayed. The airport is recommending guests check with flight providers for status updates.

Local authorities have issued a red alert for Mexican states Quintana Roo and Yucatán, which includes high tourism areas like Cancún, Tulum, Cozumel, Playa del Carmen, and Progreso. Most of the Riviera Maya tourist corridor falls in the hurricane’s path.

Hurricane Beryl ripped across the Caribbean earlier this week, landing in Grenada on Monday. This is the earliest Category 5 hurricane to form in the Atlantic and only the second-ever to form in July.

Despite the record winds, torrential rain, and powerful waves, Caribbean resorts emerged from Hurricane Beryl relatively unscathed. Tragically, at least 10 people are reported to have died, and countless have lost their homes.