Powerful Storm Patricia Hits Mexico

Reports indicate that the storm "Patricia," the strongest storm ever recorded in the Pacific Ocean, reached the western shores of Mexico on Friday evening, October 23, local time. According to AFP, a meteorological official in Mexico has announced that the strongest storm recorded in history has arrived on the western shores of the country. This official added: The storm Patricia is currently passing near the port of Manzanillo in the state of Jalisco. According to Reuters, the National Hurricane Center in the U.S. has stated that the storm "Patricia" is the strongest hurricane ever recorded in the Western Hemisphere, and the World Meteorological Organization has compared this storm to Typhoon "Haiyan" in 2013, which left thousands dead in the Philippines. Reports indicate that this storm will sweep the western shores of Mexico at a speed of 322 kilometers (200 miles) per hour. This hurricane has been classified as "Category 5," and the Mexican government has declared a state of emergency in areas that will be affected by this storm. According to Reuters, government forces in tourist regions such as Jalisco, which is considered one of the important tourist areas of the country, and Guadalajara, the second-largest city in Mexico, are on high alert. It is said that this storm could cause "catastrophic" damage. A local official in Jalisco told Reuters: This storm is very concerning. We know this storm will destroy everything in its path. CNN reports from areas in the path of the storm indicate that streets have been evacuated and some residents have been moved to safer areas, but there has not been enough time to evacuate all residents. According to this report, 1,700 places have been designated to shelter people in the Guadalajara area, but these places lack water, food, and electricity. CNN reports that by Friday evening, at least 15,000 tourists have been moved from coastal areas to safer locations.