Hurricane season: how to protect your country club home

What hurricane season means in the Yucatan Peninsula

The official Atlantic hurricane season, which covers the Caribbean and the Gulf of Mexico, runs from June 1 to November 30. Most activity happens between August and October, and storms outside the season are rare.

A season does not mean a hurricane reaches your town every year. Most years bring heavy rain and a watch or two, and direct hits on any one area are infrequent. Still, the peninsula has seen major storms, so getting ready is a normal part of owning a home here, much like winterizing a house up north.

The Quintana Roo coast (Cancun and the Riviera Maya) has more direct exposure than Merida, which sits inland. If you are still choosing a city, see Tulum vs Merida vs Cancun.

One regional advantage: most homes here are built with concrete block walls and reinforced concrete roof slabs, which handle wind far better than the wood framing common in the US and Canada.

Before the season: a May checklist

The best time to prepare is before June, when contractors have openings and prices have not gone up. This list covers the essentials:

• Roof: check the waterproof coating, cracks and downspouts. A leaking roof slab is the most common damage after a storm.
• Windows and doors: inspect seals and hardware. If your windows are not impact-rated, have storm shutters or panels ready, measured and labeled for each opening.
• Drains: clear storm drains and soakaway pits so water leaves the lot and terrace quickly.
• Trees and palms: trim branches near the house, power lines and roof. Loose debris causes more damage than wind on its own.
• Backup power: a generator you have test-started or a solar system with batteries. Check fuel and the transfer switch too.
• Insurance: confirm your policy includes hurricane (hydrometeorological) coverage and that the insured amount reflects today's replacement value.
• Photo inventory: photograph and video every room, every appliance and the exterior. Store the files and your policy in the cloud.
• Outdoor items: decide where patio furniture, planters, grills and the golf cart go when a storm is coming.

When a storm is coming: alerts and what to do

In Mexico, Civil Protection (Protección Civil) uses the Early Warning System for Tropical Cyclones (SIAT-CT), a color code based on how close and how strong the storm is. Warnings go out several days ahead, so there is time to act calmly. It works much like the watches and warnings you know from the US National Hurricane Center.

Rely on official sources only: your state's Protección Civil, Mexico's National Weather Service (SMN) and the US National Hurricane Center. Plenty of rumors circulate on social media.

What the club does, and what your home watch does

In a country club, management usually runs its own storm protocol: pruning common areas, clearing storm drains, securing clubhouse and pool furniture, and keeping residents informed. Club rules may also require you to remove loose items from your lot. Check yours in our guide to HOA fees and club rules.

What the club does not do is prepare the inside of your home. If you live abroad part of the year, you need a trusted person or a home watch service working from a written plan:

1. Bring in patio furniture, planters and anything the wind can pick up.
2. Put up storm shutters or close hurricane roll-downs.
3. Park the golf cart under cover and unplug its charger.
4. Do not drain the pool: lower the level slightly, add chlorine and turn off the pump.
5. Unplug electronics, shut off the gas and lift valuables off the floor.
6. Send you photos of the secured house.

After the storm: inspection and insurance claim

Once authorities say it is safe to go out, document before you repair. Insurers want evidence of the damage and of the home's prior condition.

1. Walk around the outside and inside without touching downed lines or wet equipment.
2. Take dated photos and video of every bit of damage before moving or cleaning anything.
3. Make only urgent repairs to prevent further damage (tarps, shutting off water) and keep every receipt.
4. Report the claim to the insurer as soon as possible and write down the claim number.
5. Meet the adjuster with your photo inventory and policy at hand.
6. Have a technician check the solar system and generator before you turn them back on.

Every policy sets a deadline to report a claim. Check yours when you buy the policy, not after the storm.

Insurance: the coverage that matters

Mexican homeowner's insurance is built from separate coverages. For hurricane season the key one is hydrometeorological risk (fenómenos hidrometeorológicos), which is optional on many policies. Your US or Canadian homeowner's policy almost never covers a house in Mexico, so you will want a Mexican insurer or an international policy that explicitly includes it.

Like in Florida, many insurers will not issue or change a policy once a storm is active nearby. Buy or renew before June and confirm terms and costs with a licensed insurance agent.

Backup power: generator or solar

After a hurricane, power can take anywhere from a few hours to several days to come back, depending on the area. Backup keeps the fridge, water pump, internet and security cameras running.

A generator is the traditional choice: it needs fuel and regular test runs, and must never run inside the house or in a closed garage. A solar system with batteries runs without fuel and lowers your electric bill year-round; ask the installer to certify that the panel mounts are rated for high winds. See our solar energy page for options.

Buying with hurricane season in mind

If you are choosing a lot, hurricane season is one factor among several, not a reason to rule out the region. Look at the lot's elevation and drainage, its distance from the coast and the club's building standards. If you only own the lot, the main risk is clearing fallen trees, and club rules usually require you to keep it tidy.

We help you choose the lot, connect with insurers and set up home watch for when you are away. We work in English, Spanish and French.

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