PUERTO VALLARTA, Mexico – One month after the impact of Hurricane Lidia on the Jalisco coastline, local meteorologist Víctor Manuel Cornejo López has highlighted the relatively minimal damage sustained in Puerto Vallarta, referring to the event as “cheap for us.” However, Cornejo López expressed concern regarding the apparent absence of lessons learned in disaster prevention.
Despite the fortuitous downgrade of Hurricane Lidia to a tropical storm before it arrived in Puerto Vallarta, which resulted in less severe consequences for the region, the meteorologist emphasized the pressing need for improved preparedness. The recent devastation in Acapulco caused by Hurricane Otis—an unprecedented category five storm that defied meteorological models—serves as a stark reminder of the potential risks.
Cornejo López, who also serves as an advisor to the municipal Civil Protection council’s scientific committee, warned that the city must not become complacent. “When you see your neighbor’s beard being shaved, soak your own,” he cautioned, using a local saying to stress the importance of proactive measures.
The meteorologist urged for actions to bolster the city’s resilience to such natural disasters. “We need to take certain actions so that at a given moment the impact is less severe,” he stated. However, he noted with concern that there is yet to be significant progress in learning from past events or implementing preventative strategies.
With the hurricane season persisting until November 30, Cornejo López reminded residents that vigilance remains essential. He pointed out that the Pacific Ocean’s warmer-than-normal waters could still foster the formation of cyclones.
He concluded with a cautionary note, highlighting that should a hurricane make landfall directly in the bay, the damage could be as significant, if not more devastating, than what was witnessed during Hurricane Otis in Acapulco.
PUERTO VALLARTA, Mexico – One month after the impact of Hurricane Lidia on the Jalisco coastline, local meteorologist Víctor Manuel Cornejo López has . . .
