Hurricane Patricia, considered one of the Western hemisphere’s strongest hurricanes ever, has blasted the west coast of Mexico with winds of up to 270 km/h. The hurricane hit the coastal area of the Jalisco state, dotted with resorts and fishing villages, Friday evening.
The storm’s centre made landfall near Cuixmala, a sparsely populated area, about 85 kilometres west-northwest of the port city of Manzanillo around 7 p.m. local time.
In the hours after the storm’s arrival Mexican authorities said they’d received early reports of some flooding and mudslides, but no fatalities.
Up to 2,000 Canadians are currently believed to be vacationing or living in the region where the storm was expected to hit, including the popular resort city Puerto Vallarta.
Live updates below as Hurricane Patricia comes ashore in Mexico
The storm was expected to be one of the strongest storms to hit the Western hemisphere since records began. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) reported the hurricane to be “potentially catastrophic.” Earlier in the day the storm’s winds had been measured at 305 km/h, with even higher gusts.
The Government of Canada has advised against all travel to that area of Mexico due to the hurricane. Foreign Affairs said it had 500 Canadians registered in the state of Jalisco as of Thursday, but estimated the actual number to be around 2,000.
The department said those who are there should seek shelter and leave if possible.
READ MORE: Hurricane Patricia: How strong is the ‘potentially catastrophic’ storm?
Global Montreal promotions producer Travis Todd is on vacation in Puerto Vallarta. He arrived just yesterday to a hazy, sunny day. Soon after he touched down, his phone started “lighting up” with messages of concern about the impending storm.
“I had no idea a hurricane was heading here,” said Todd, who said the forecast had merely called for rain. “I was in disbelief.”
Todd said he really got nervous when hotel staff asked him to fill out a form with his home address and emergency contacts.
WATCH: ‘They told us we’re being evacuated’: Global News employee in Mexico talks Hurricane Patricia
He’s now been moved to another hotel, a few blocks inland. He’s been told that once the storm hits the structure will be locked up, and no one will be allowed to leave the premises.
“It’s a little surreal,” said Todd in an interview with Global News Friday afternoon. “Here the atmosphere is literally the calm before the storm.”
While most local residents have been rather calm, there have been signs of uncertainty.
“You could tell when they were briefing us a little earlier in the meeting today — they were nervous,” said Todd. “They’ve never seen anything like this before.”
“Nobody knows what to expect. Of course hoping for the best, but we don’t know.”
Jalisco state is home to the resort town of Puerto Vallarta along with Mexico’s second largest city Guadalajara. Jalisco state’s population is more than seven million; how many of those residents are in the storm’s path is unclear.
The NHC warned that “in addition to the coastal impacts, very heavy rainfall is likely to cause life-threatening flash floods and mudslides” in Jalisco, Colima, Michoacan and Guerrero states into Saturday.
Patricia formed suddenly Tuesday as a tropical storm and within 30 hours had strengthened to a record-beating Category 5 hurricane, catching many off guard with its rapid growth.
Earlier Friday tourists had been arriving at the convention centre in Puerto Vallarta by the hundreds where they waited for buses to take them to safety. Some were able to make their way to Guadalajara, but roads were said to be extremely congested as people attempt to move away from the hurricane.
While many fled the area, others hunkered down, ready to wait out the storm.
WATCH: Dramatic footage shows a plane flying through Hurricane Patricia
Local residents had been boarding up businesses and homes, and filling sandbags on the beach to shore up structures. Long lines snaked out of stores, with many shelves going empty as people stocked up on supplies.
“The people have been amazing,” said Todd, adding that store owners had been staying open as long as possible so people could get the supplies they need. “They’ve been super welcoming and it’s really been appreciated.
READ MORE: How monster Hurricane Patricia is affecting Mexico-bound flights from Canada
Mexican officials had warned people to evacuate the city’s waterfront area, where many resorts are located.
Todd said the hotel he was moved to “has been approved by the emergency committee as being hurricane safe.”
He described it as a lower building with an inner courtyard which the rooms face.
“That’s where I’ll be spending the night.”
The hurricane is expected to weaken over the next few days as it moves over a mountain range.
Live updates as Hurricane Patricia comes ashore in Mexico
With files from the Canadian Press and the Associated Press
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