On the Pacific coast of Mexico, the most powerful tropical cyclone ever measured in the Western Hemisphere hit on Friday, October 23. Wind speeds up to 201 mph, caused evacuations for many communities where Hurricane Patricia was expected to hit. Huge storm surges with large waves and swells occurred, sweeping away cars and light poles. Additionally, up to 20 inches of rain came down, causing flash floods and mudslides even as the storm moved on. People had to be evacuated from beaches used as luxurious tourist destinations, along with poorer people from rural areas. Government officials were worried about the homes made of flimsy materials because the wind speeds exceeding 200 mph could lift up automobiles and destroy homes not built of cement and steel. However, as fast intensifying the tropical cyclone had been, the weakening of the storm was just as fast. Within 24 hours of the 200 mph winds, the wind speed had decreased to 75 mph. The path of the storm spared major cities and resorts from possible damage, as Hurricane Patricia moved across the mountainous terrain. What was described as a potentially catastrophic storm had been downgraded to a tropical depression. The path the storm took through the mountains of Mexico saved many communities from devastating results.
In order for a hurricane to be considered Category 5, winds speed must exceed 157 mph. The Mexican president Enrique Pena Nieto stated that if a there was a Category 6, Hurricane Patricia would definitely fit the criteria. This was the strongest hurricane ever recorded since accurate satellites of wind speeds began in 1970. By comparison, the huge typhoon that hit the Philippines in 2013, Typhoon Haiyan, is ranked the second strongest storm. It had winds up to 195 mph, and left more than 7,300 people dead or missing. The aftermath of Typhoon Haiyan, also called Yolanda, is still present due to the destruction of sources of income like land that used to be suitable for growing rice and sugar cane. Fortunately, because Hurricane Patricia went through the mountains the aftermath should not be as disastrous, and there are no current reports of major damage.
Hurricane Patricia will change the lives for people affected by the aftermath of destruction, but what does this mean for Oakton? Even though the hurricane caused less damage than was originally predicted because of the mountains it went over the lessened the storm, the hard rains and strong winds still caused wreckage. Be on the lookout for ways to help Mexicans who lost everything due to the intensity of the storm. The hurricane season lasts from June to November in Mexico, so hopefully this will be the last hit Mexico has to deal with for the year.
