Record-breaking Hurricane Patricia rumbled across western Mexico on Friday, uprooting trees and triggering some landslides but causing less damage than feared so far for such a massive storm, officials said.
Authorities relocated coastal residents, evacuated tourists from beach hotels and closed sea ports, airports and schools in several states before Patricia made landfall in Jalisco state as a huge category five hurricane.
Patricia had grown into the strongest hurricane ever recorded hours before reaching the coast, raising fears that it would bring death and destruction across the country.
But almost five hours after landfall, President Enrique Pena Nieto addressed the nation on television, saying that the first reports "confirm that the damages have been smaller than those corresponding to a hurricane of this magnitude."
But Pena Nieto urged Mexicans to stay in shelters, warning that Patricia still posed a threat, with heavy rain expected across several regions.
"We can't let our guard down yet. I insist, the most dangerous part of the hurricane has yet to enter the national territory," said Pena Nieto, whose country has seen deadly devastation from hurricanes before.
The hurricane crashed ashore in the town of Emiliano Zapata in the early evening, about 95 kilometers (60 miles) west of the major port of Manzanillo, according to National Water Commission director Roberto Ramirez.
The US National Hurricane Center said Patricia weakened marginally when it made landfall, with maximum winds of 270 kilometers per hour.
As it moved further inland late Friday, the hurricane was downgraded to category four, with 215 kph winds, and remained "extremely dangerous," the center said.
Patricia peaked at 325 kph several hours earlier -- more powerful than the 315 kph winds of Super Typhoon Haiyan, which left more than 7,350 dead or missing when it struck the Philippines in November 2013.
But Jalisco Governor Aristoteles Sandoval wrote on Twitter that "there have been no reports of deaths for the moment."
More than 6,300 people were in shelters in Jalisco.
In the state of Colima, where Manzanillo lies, some 350 trees ripped out of the ground "but fortunately there is only material damage," Agriculture Minister Jose Calzada told Milenio television.
Some landslides blocked the Colima-Manzanillo highway, said Transport Ministry Gerardo Ruiz Esparza.
'Wrong place, wrong time'
Stores shut down in the resort of Puerto Vallarta, where some 7,000 foreign and 21,000 Mexican tourists had come for vacation ahead of the storm.
Seafront hotels were evacuated and several tourists were moved to shelters.
Federal officials said 3,500 people were evacuated from Puerto Vallarta by bus and plane.
A Red Cross facility turned into a shelter for 109 people in Puerto Vallarta, including Americans, Canadians and Italians.
"I had the bad luck of being at the wrong place in the wrong time," said Gian Paolo Azzena, a 26-year-old Italian medical school graduate. "I found out that a hurricane was coming thanks to a craftsman. I thought it was a joke."
A handful of people waited at a bus station before service ended at midday, while others bought water and loaded vehicles with jerricans of fuel.
Some 20 people were even seen drinking at a beach bar earlier in the afternoon, but heavy rain began to fall later in the evening.
US President Barack Obama said American disaster aid experts were on the ground and primed to help.
Tens of thousands of US tourists are among those in the hurricane's path, US officials said.
US bound?
Authorities shut down power along the coasts of Jalisco and Colima states to prevent electrocutions.
Jose Maria Tapia Franco, director of the National Disaster Fund, said 400,000 people live in vulnerable areas. Hundreds of shelters were made available.
In Colima, villages around the Volcano of Fire were emptied over concerns that ash that accumulated during recent volcanic activity could combine with water to produce landslides.
Patricia was expected to dump up to 51 centimeters (20 inches) of rain over five western Mexican states, which could trigger life-threatening flash floods and mudslides.
But it was expected to weaken rapidly as it moved further inland and be downgraded into a tropical storm on Saturday morning.
The National Water Commission said Patricia was "so big and intense" that it could cross the entire country, reach the Gulf of Mexico, and make landfall in the United States.
AFP
Sat Oct 24 2015
Patricia was expected to dump up to 51 centimeters of rain over five western Mexican states.-
Who is Prabowo Subianto, incoming president of Indonesia?
A wealthy ex-general with ties to Indonesia's popular outgoing president and its dictatorial past, looks set to be its next leader.
Iran's supreme leader says Hamas leader's death will not halt 'Axis of Resistance'
The "Axis of Resistance", built up with years of Iranian support, includes Hamas, the Lebanese Hezbollah group, the Houthi movement in Yemen, and various Shi'ite groups in Iraq and Syria.
Putin says Russia willing to seek compromises between Iran and Israel
Russia is ready to help seek compromises between arch-foes Israel and Iran, President Vladimir Putin said on Friday, saying these would be difficult but possible.
What proposals will Russia push at the BRICS summit?
The proposal is also to establish a BRICS reinsurance company to allow uninterrupted shipment of goods and key commodities between members.
Indonesia's free meals plan in the spotlight as Prabowo readies for office
Prabowo calls the programme one of the main drivers of economic growth, eventually set to add an estimated 2.5 million jobs.
Astro AWANI's revamped English news website, AWANI International, launches on Oct 21
Astro AWANI's revamped English platform delivers in-depth global news and expert analysis to keep you informed on key developments.
Israeli strikes kill 33 people in Jabalia refugee camp in Gaza, medics say
Residents of Jabalia said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp after pushing through suburbs and residential districts.
Liam Payne's ex-partner calls for media restraint after 'painful' death
Cheryl Tweedy used her statement to urge the media to remember they had a seven-year-old son, Bear, who could read the reports.
Analysts: Indonesia's strong MoF leadership team to boost investor confidence
Sri Mulyani Indrawati as head of Indonesia's Ministry of Finance is expected to instil confidence among investors.
Biden offers both a carrot and a stick to Israel as his term nears an end
Israel has frequently resisted US advice and has caused political difficulties for the Biden administration.
Putin says BRICS will generate most of global economic growth
Russian President Vladimir Putin will host a summit of the group in the city of Kazan on Oct. 22-24.
ISIS Malaysia's perspective of Budget 2025
An excellent rakyat-centric budget under the overarching principle of a caring and humane economy.
Budget 2025: Record increase in STR, SARA aid initiatives
The government will provide a significant boost to the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) initiatives next year.
Budget 2025: EPF contributions to be made mandatory for foreign workers – PM Anwar
The government plans to make it compulsory for all non-citizen workers to contribute to the Employees Provident Fund (EPF).
What policies to expect from Indonesia's new President Prabowo
Prabowo will be open to foreign investment, his aide has said, such as by offering investors management of airports and sea ports.
Budget 2025: Govt allocates RM470 mil to empower women's participation in PMKS
The Women's Leadership Apprenticeship Program will be intensified as an effort to produce more female corporate personalities.
Israel sends more troops into north Gaza, deepens raid
Residents of Jabalia in northern Gaza said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp, using heavy air and ground fire.
Indonesia ramps up security ahead of Prabowo's inauguration
Prabowo Subianto will be sworn in as Indonesia's president on Sunday with Vice President-elect, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, also taking office.
Immediate allocation of RM150 mil for local authorities, DID to tackle flash floods
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said this allocation is intended to address the recent flash floods that hit the capital and several major towns.
Budget 2025: Sabah, Sarawak to continue receiving among highest allocations - PM
Sabah and Sarawak continues to be prioritised under Budget 2025, with allocations of RM6.7 billion and RM5.9 billion respectively.