Affected Alcaldías and Their Respective Alert Levels
On the afternoon and night of Saturday, September 13, severe weather alerts were activated across most of Mexico City, with a particular focus on the alcaldías Cuauhtémoc and Gustavo A. Madero, where rainfall between 30 and 49 millimeters is expected, along with a risk of flooding and water currents on streets.
Alert Levels and Associated Risks
According to the Secretaría de Gestión Integral de Riesgos y Protección Civil (SGIRPC), the alerts are in effect from 4:10 PM to 11:00 PM, with varying intensities:
Alert Level Naranja:
- Cuauhtémoc and Gustavo A. Madero, facing intense rainfall that could create water currents on streets and hail.
Alert Level Amarilla:
- Álvaro Obregón, Azcapotzalco, Benito Juárez, Coyoacán, Cuajimalpa de Morelos, Iztacalco, Iztapalapa, Magdalena Contreras, Miguel Hidalgo, Venustiano Carranza, and Xochimilco, with rainfall between 15 and 29 millimeters and a possibility of falling branches, trees, or debris.
Potential Hazards
Authorities warned that the rain could lead to:
- Street flooding and water currents on roads.
- Falling branches, trees, or unstable objects.
- Traffic disruptions and risks for pedestrians.
Recommendations for the Public
Protection Civil urged residents to:
- Avoid crossing streets or avenues with water currents and wait until the rain subsides before going out.
- Keep gutters free of debris to prevent clogs.
- Close doors and windows at home.
- Walk along sidewalks and pedestrian bridges.
- Avoid seeking shelter under trees during the storm.
- Assist in protecting children, adults, and vulnerable individuals.
Understanding the CDMX Rain Gauge System: Interpreting Colors
The early warning classification system categorizes the intensity of precipitation into different levels:
- Alert Level Amarilla (15 to 29 mm): warns of light rain that, combined with other factors, may cause flooding.
- Alert Level Naranja (30 to 49 mm): intense rainfall capable of causing significant impacts.
- Alert Level Roja (50 to 70 mm): very intense rainfall with a risk of damage.
- Alert Level Púrpura (over 70 mm): the highest level, reserved for rarely-recorded intense rainfall that could cause severe damage.
In any scenario, it’s crucial to report emergencies to 911, 55 5683 2222, or 55 5654 3210.
Key Questions and Answers
- Q: Which alcaldías are under severe weather alerts? A: Cuauhtémoc and Gustavo A. Madero are under Alert Level Naranja, while 11 other alcaldías (Álvaro Obregón, Azcapotzalco, Benito Juárez, Coyoacán, Cuajimalpa de Morelos, Iztacalco, Iztapalapa, Magdalena Contreras, Miguel Hidalgo, Venustiano Carranza, and Xochimilco) are under Alert Level Amarilla.
- Q: What risks are associated with these alerts? A: The risks include street flooding, water currents on roads, falling branches or trees, traffic disruptions, and risks for pedestrians.
- Q: What precautions should residents take? A: Residents are advised to avoid crossing streets with water currents, keep gutters clear, close doors and windows at home, walk along sidewalks and pedestrian bridges, avoid seeking shelter under trees during the storm, and assist vulnerable individuals.
- Q: How does the CDMX Rain Gauge System work? A: The system categorizes rainfall intensity into four levels: Amarilla (15 to 29 mm), Naranja (30 to 49 mm), Roja (50 to 70 mm), and Púrpura (over 70 mm). Each level corresponds to a different risk intensity.
- Q: What should I do if I encounter a weather-related emergency? A: Report the emergency to 911, 55 5683 2222, or 55 5654 3210.
