Puerto Vallarta, Mexico – Almost one week following the devastating impact of Hurricane “Lidia” and a severe storm that struck two days later, remarkable strides are being made in the extensive recovery efforts spearheaded by local, state, and federal governments in collaboration with community members.
On Sunday, a detailed account was provided, summarizing the extent of damage inflicted on the municipality. Among the many casualties were significant disruptions to the Federal Electricity Commission (CEF) network, which suffered from fallen poles, burnt transformers, and a snarl of defunct cables. The natural disaster also uprooted hundreds of trees across the region, creating additional hurdles for recovery. A comprehensive bulletin, reflecting the severity of these setbacks and the coordinated relief measures initiated, has been disseminated for public awareness.
Under the vigilant leadership of Mayor Luis Alberto Michel Rodríguez and the City Council, the municipal government has been relentless in its restoration work. With the support of federal agencies, they have performed nearly 600 services and removed approximately 10,000 tons of debris and materials. In concert with the Mexican Army, the National Guard, and the Secretary of the Navy, priorities have been established to repair essential infrastructures, including Federal Highway 200 south, State Highway 544, and other main avenues of the municipality. It was noted that adjacent areas in the state of Nayarit were not structurally affected by the calamities.
Breakdown of Services Provided
Since last Friday, the multi-agency task force has accomplished the following:
- Rescue of a trapped person: 1
- Injuries on public roads: 3
- Evacuation of homes: 25
- Fallen trees: 365
- Fallen poles: 10
- Fallen cables: 18
- Fires in transformers and trees: 4
- Collapsed structures: 2
- Flooded homes: 6
- Structural damage: 7
- Collapses or landslides: 2
- Overflow of rivers or streams: 5
- Short circuits: 10
- Evaluation of damage to homes: 46
- Evaluation of schools: 15
- Supervision tours: 25
These meticulously logged services aim to identify and meet the immediate needs of affected properties and ensure their speedy return to normalcy.
Personnel from the Directorate of Social Development have assessed the needs of the residents across the 29 sectors of the municipality. Prompt assistance has been delivered to approximately 1,136 homes, supplying essential housing and household items like cardboard sheets, tiles, mattresses, and basic construction materials. Meanwhile, the Municipal Public Services Directorate has collected 9,550 tons of waste, a figure that continues to climb, underscoring the magnitude of the disaster.
Municipal agencies have been working tirelessly, responding to citizen reports through the Emergency Operations Center (COE), and cooperating with state and federal institutions to expedite the return to normalcy. Special attention has been directed towards clearing Federal Highway 200 near Mismaloya, where a large rock collapse occurred. After more than 20 detonations and the use of heavy machinery, a lane has been opened for light vehicle traffic.
In conclusion, the municipal government has forwarded a letter to President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, outlining the situation and the work completed. The letter makes an urgent plea for additional financial aid to provide essential household items to the affected residences, emphasizing the importance of a quick and comprehensive recovery.
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico – Almost one week following the devastating impact of Hurricane "Lidia" and a severe storm that struck two days later, remarkable strides . . .
