"In Puerto Vallarta, a city often frequented by tourists and ex-pats, the damage was extensive but non-lethal. Víctor Hugo Rolán Guerrero, head of Civil Protection of Jalisco, reported river floods, uprooted trees, and damaged light roofs, poles, and signs. However, no personal injuries have been reported."
PUERTO VALLARTA (PVDN) - Hurricane Lidia, which roared onto the coasts of Jalisco and other Pacific states as a formidable Category 4 hurricane with winds of 220 kilometers per hour, has weakened to a low-pressure system south of Zacatecas as of this morning, according to an update from the National Water Commission (Conagua).
However, the storm has already left its grim imprint. In Nayarit's Bahía de Banderas, a man tragically lost his life when a tree, uprooted by the strong winds, fell onto his vehicle at kilometer 13 of the Punta de Mita highway. Benito Rodríguez Martínez, the Secretary of Security and Citizen Protection, confirmed the unfortunate incident, adding that the deceased man's companion sustained injuries but has since received treatment.
Martínez also disclosed that there are currently 25 emergency shelters in operation, providing refuge to 376 individuals. Fallen trees and landslides are being cleared as expeditiously as possible, particularly in the municipalities of Bahía de Banderas and Compostela.
Governor Miguel Ángel Navarro took added precautions, mandating heightened surveillance in areas without electricity and announcing the suspension of classes throughout the week. Navarro's announcement came as authorities scramble to restore power and services in affected regions.
The Jalisco government has reported no missing persons or extreme cases of affected individuals. Streams in Autlán de Navarro did overflow as a result of the hurricane, but quick response from Civil Protection elements, in coordination with authorities from all three levels of government, mitigated further harm.
In Puerto Vallarta, a city often frequented by tourists and ex-pats, the damage was extensive but non-lethal. Víctor Hugo Rolán Guerrero, head of Civil Protection of Jalisco, reported river floods, uprooted trees, and damaged light roofs, poles, and signs. However, no personal injuries have been reported.
Areas including Cabo Corrientes and Tomatlán have also reported structural damages like blown-off roofs and river flooding, but fortunately, no loss of life was reported in these locations.
Conagua warns that residents are not yet out of the woods. The forecast predicts very heavy rainfall to continue in the states of Nayarit, Jalisco, Colima, and Zacatecas. Isolated rains are also expected in the central states of the Mexican Republic, including Mexico City and the State of Mexico (Edomex).
In the southern states like Guerrero, Veracruz, Tabasco, Oaxaca, and Chiapas, the forecast indicates the likelihood of showers and heavy rains, accompanied by electric shocks and fog banks in the coming hours.
As authorities continue to assess the full scale of the damage, residents are urged to stay updated on weather conditions and adhere to guidelines issued by local and national authorities.
