The strongest hurricane ever recorded at sea created mudslides and took down power lines and trees near southwestern Mexico, but no major damage was reported.
According to CNN, Hurricane Patricia was predicted to become one of the most dangerous storms in history. Before the hurricane hit, thousands evacuated in front of the Category 5 storm. By landfall, the storm’s winds dropped to 165 mph.
There are no confirmed reports of deaths or any major damage.
Patricia didn’t hit the resort city of Puerto Vallarta and Manzanillo. By late Saturday, the storm had downgraded to an area of low pressure.
"We are fortunate the hurricane ... went to the mountainous areas," Communications and Transport Minister Gerardo Ruíz Esparza told reporters.
"That lessened the impact. The wind and water hit us but our infrastructure was able to withstand that hit. The worst went to the mountains."
Said Roberto Sandoval, governor of Nayarit state: "We as government are not supposed to mention faith and God but the only thing I can tell you is that God helped and watched over us so this monster of a hurricane did not hurt us here in Nayarit and in Mexico.”
Airports and schools are scheduled to reopen. About 10,000 people in all evacuated ahead of the storm, according to CNN.
More than 1,700 shelters were opened for residents in Mexico.
"We expected a much bigger disaster," said nursing chief Luis David Ramirez. "We believe God helped us through this monster hurricane. We're still here."
Photo courtesy: Wikimedia Commons
Publication date: October 26, 2015
