Effect of TS or hurricane

[SailawayKC]

Total newbie question here. How long does it take for the water to clear after a hurricane or tropical storm? And the bottom to be back to normal? I’m scheduled to be in Cozumel next Friday and was wondering what to expect after TS Rina visits tomorrow.

 

[g1138]

There was a similar question regarding Hurricane Irene on the E. Coast of the US. I'll link you the thread so you can sort through it.
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/ba...hurricane-irene-until-vis-returns-normal.html

Here's what I wrote specifically in the Thread:

Hurricanes draw up nutrient rich water from the bottom of the ocean (nutrients can cause bad viz). This influx of nutrients can allow for blooms of micro organisms that may either take the form of algae, plankton, or Harmful Algae Blooms (which may or may not be algae AND may or may not be biologically harmful to humans: FUN FACT)
Blooms will definitely cause bad viz.

A bloom will quickly eat up the nutrients in the water . However the bloom itself may take a while to die out even after the nutrients are depleted. In which case visibility will be prolonged for a bit longer until the bloom dies off and the small decaying bodies drift back down to the benthic. And unfortunately micro organisms don't exactly sink all that fast.

This is a blanket statement and doesn't mean that it will happen near shore immedietly. Rather a bloom will start off far off shore in deep water and can move inshore by the currents/wind (If the bloom even starts). If you arrive right after the storm you may have some bad vis due to any fine sand being stirred up. This could a take a few days to weeks to clear up depending on how the ocean behaves.

 

[DivemasterDennis]

I will watch this thread with you, because I am headed to Akulmal, MX on the 5th! My experience in that and other venues in the past has been "it depends." It depends on current to move rain silted water away, it depends on intensity of the storm, and it depends on where you are diving (shore or off shore), how deep. Wall diving is effected the least, shallow diving and reefs effect much more than deeper structures. When sand is churned up and settles on coral, it can stay there a lonnnnnng time. Even after the vis clears, the sand covered reef can be disappointing. Rita has chilled out a lot the past couple of days, so I am hopeful we will have decent conditions. Join me in wishing it so for both of us.
DivemasterDennis

 

[scubawife]

As a long time, repeat Akumal vacationer, I can tell you that Akumal will not have the viz that Cozumel has, storm or not. The current there is just not very strong... in fact, almost non-existent on most dives. The reefs there have suffered more from "water quality" issues in recent years then from any storms.

From the latest forecasts, and photos & reports "on the ground" that I'm getting this evening from people I know in the Akumal and Tulum area, they get nortes that are stronger than what Rina (not "Rita") is bringing.

My experience in Akumal is that whenever viz is really poor, if the shop doesn't know you, they'll blame it on some weather that came through just before you got there. If you haven't already, book some cenote dives during your stay. Diving the cenotes is unique to the area and an experience not to be missed.

 

[Christi]

Total newbie question here. How long does it take for the water to clear after a hurricane or tropical storm? And the bottom to be back to normal? I’m scheduled to be in Cozumel next Friday and was wondering what to expect after TS Rina visits tomorrow.

Less than a week from now you can expect Coz visibility to be back to normal - it only takes a few days - but this really was a non-event for our ocean. We lost electricity for a few hours - but that was a precautionary measure on our city's part to protect vulnerable areas.

Storm is over - as of 2:00am, no rain and minimal winds - MAYBE 5 - 10mph winds - nothing more!

I can go to sleep now! Sweet dreams until mañana - full update!

 

[Frank Storms]

Thanks for the information Christi
Scheduled to land in Coz via AA tomorrow at 1235.

Frank

 

[blue steal]

Frank and his angels. You guys have a great time. It's looks like you will be fine.

 

[SailawayKC]

Thanks Christi for the first hand update. I look forward to diving there next Friday on my cruise stop.

 

[kuma1720]

I am so glad the storm settled out before hitting. Thought it was going to be a Cat 3 but thank god it wasn't.

 

[Frank Storms]

Sitting here by the pool at Blue Angel. Just finished a shore dive, water clear, no current, water temperature 82*, several dive boats out and we are scheduled to boat dive tomorrow.

Wish you were here.
Frank