Hurricane Patricia to Hit Mexico’s Pacific Coast as Category 5 Storm

Mexican residents in parts of the country’s Pacific coast have been moved ahead of the arrival of Hurricane Patricia.

Authorities also closed ports in the area.

Officials have warned that the Category 5 Storm could be the strongest ever to hit Mexico’s Pacific coast.

A state of emergency has been declared in three states in the path of Hurricane Patricia.

The hurricane is expected to make landfall late on Friday, October 23, with winds up to 185 mph.

The US National Hurricane Center said Patricia was potentially catastrophic.

Some 400,000 people live in vulnerable areas, according to Mexico’s National Disaster Fund.

Hurricane Patricia, which will bring torrential rain, could trigger flash floods and mudslides, the US centre said.

It also warned of potential flooding from the sea.

According to forecasters, Hurricane Patricia will make landfall in the western state of Jalisco, home to the resort town of Puerto Vallarta, which could lie directly in its path.

Shop owners in Manzanillo, a major port in neighboring Colima state, have begun boarding up windows.