Mexican Authorities Declare a State of Emergency, Open Shelters in Preparation for Hurricane Patricia

Eric Chaney
Published: October 22,2015

Mexican authorities declared a state of emergency and warned residents to prepare as powerful Hurricane Patricia approached the coast Thursday.
A state of emergency was issued for 56 municipalities who are projected to face Patricia's wrath, the Associated Press reported. The municipalities are located in Colima, Nayarit and Jalisco states.
The hurricane, which exploded to Category 5 strength with winds of 160 mph, is forecast to make landfall along Mexico's Pacific coast Friday, bringing damaging winds, heavy rainfall and storm surge flooding.
(FORECAST: Hurricane Patricia Threatens Pacific Coast of Mexico)
The United States Embassy in Mexico issued an emergency message to U.S. citizens in Mexico, urging them to "make preparations immediately to protect life and property," as well as keep a watchful eye on the Mexican government's civil protection website and media reports.
Schools will close in Colima state in anticipation of Patricia's arrival, according to Mexico's civil defense coordinator, Luis Felipe Puente, the AP said.
Colima has experienced its share of issues with drainage before, "The neighborhood leaders have come for sacks to fill with sand," Luz Adriana Limon Rojas of Colima state's civil defense agency told the AP.
According to reports from local residents skies were still clear in Manzanillo Thursday morning, but Mexico's national water commission, CONAGUA, reports that the government has 1,782 temporary shelters available in the states of Michoacán, Colima, and Jalisco with a combined capacity of more than 258,000 people.

The Vallarta Yacht Club posted a message on its Facebook page Thursday morning warning members that hurricane preparations need to start now.
“If there are things you need to do to protect your family, your home or your boat, TODAY IS THE DAY. You might want to postpone that spa appointment.”
Andy Barrow, On-the-Water Director for the club, told The Weather Channel that the Banderas Bay area is generally pretty sheltered from hurricane damage, but locals in Puerto Vallarta are nevertheless "taking down outside structures that might blow away, making sure boats are well tied, and cancelling on-the-water events for this coming weekend.
The UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office has updated their website for travelers to Mexico, indicating that Hurricane Patricia is forecast to bring hazardous sea and weather conditions to parts of the west coast starting Friday.
A hurricane warning is in effect along the Pacific coast of Mexico from Cabo Corrientes to Punta San Telmo. Hurricane watches and tropical storm warnings are in effect east of Punta San Telmo to Lazaro Cardenas. A tropical storm watch is posted from east of Lazaro Cardenas to Tecpan De Galeana.
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