Waves climbed the seawall and kept going. By sunrise, shopkeepers were shoveling sand from doorways and stacking ruined chairs on the curb. Boca de Tomates took the worst of it, but the blow spread along the bay. Authorities say the Los Muertos walkway is still under sand, and a stretch of Morelos remains closed while crews work the tide’s schedule, not their own. No one is calling this over. With Puerto Vallarta damage still being tallied and four-meter surf reported, officials are urging residents and visitors to steer clear of the water’s edge.
Puerto Vallarta damage
The storm’s reach felt personal on Tuesday night and into Wednesday. Surf broke hard against the seawall and spilled into the Malecón, pushing stones across the tiles and forcing a partial closure nearby. City crews moved fast, but the sea set the pace.
Boca de Tomates was hit early. Several beachfront restaurants there reported material damage after repeated sets rolled through the dining areas. Farther south, Olas Altas experienced structural damage and lost furniture at several open-air spots. The report from Civil Protection also notes two businesses at Malecón II with battered shutters after wind and waves pressed in.
In the north-end commercial zone at Plaza Genovesa, 17 establishments were flooded with water and sand. Staff spent the morning clearing floors while inspectors checked electrics and façades. The city says the pedestrian approach to the Los Muertos pier remains partly buried, with cleanup underway to restore safe access. For now, Morelos Street is closed from the lighthouse to two blocks past City Hall because of ongoing high surf.
What officials are watching
Authorities continue to assess damage as the hurricane tracks northwest offshore. The National Civil Protection agency reported the system near Cabo San Lucas early today, while the National Weather Service warned of four-meter waves along the Jalisco coast. Those swells matched what residents saw overnight on the waterfront.
Local and state advisories urge people to avoid low-lying coastal areas, respect closures, and follow the guidance of lifeguards and Civil Protection officials. Media and official updates through the morning described flooded walkways near the Malecón and inundated streets where runoff met surge. More closures are possible during the next high tide cycle.
Even away from the boardwalk, ripple effects continue. Conservation groups at Boca de Tomates reported damage at the sea turtle camp after heavy surf reached incubation corrals. Volunteers say the strongest sets eased late in the day, but they are still assessing losses.
For residents and visitors, the ask is simple: give the water room. The city has crews on the sand and along seawalls, but the following line of defense is common sense—staying off slick walkways, avoiding wave-washed streets, and waiting for the all-clear before returning to the beach.
