Hurricane Lidia has intensified and already fallen to category 2 on the Saffir-Simpson scale as it moved ashore off the western coast of Mexico near Jalisco. The storm unleashed heavy rainfall, strong winds, and rising rivers along the southern and northern shores of the state. Homes were flooded and there were reports of dangerous road conditions. One life was lost as the system pounded the region with its powerful presence, highlighting the immediate danger posed by a storm of this magnitude.
Officials in Jalisco reported that the eye of the hurricane lay roughly 50 kilometers from Puerto Vallarta and about 105 kilometers from Cabo Corrientes, with wind speeds easing slightly to around 165 kilometers per hour as the system advances on a path toward the east-northeast. This progression keeps authorities alert and focused on monitoring shifting weather patterns that affect communities across the coast and inland areas alike.
In neighboring Nayarit, authorities confirmed a fatality attributed to the strong winds when a tree collapsed onto a vehicle on the Punta Mita highway in Bahía de Banderas. Investigators are coordinating with emergency responders to assist affected residents and assess the broader impact on local traffic and infrastructure. Family members and friends of the victim received medical attention for injuries sustained during the incident, underscoring the rapid and unpredictable danger storms bring to everyday life on the coast.
Across Nayarit, a total of 376 people sought refuge in 25 shelters as winds toppled trees and caused landslides, complicating travel in Bahía de Banderas and Compostela. Officials warned that high winds and heavy rain would continue to hinder rescue and relief efforts, and residents were urged to stay in secure locations until authorities declare it safe to move about. The combined pressure of water and wind created a challenging situation for emergency teams working to clear routes and reach stranded residents.
In Autlán de Navarro, located on Jalisco’s southern coast, reports indicated that several rivers and streams—namely the Coajinque River and the El Ccngrejo, El Salado, and El Cristiano streams—overflowed their banks, inundating homes and commercial properties. Access to the Ahuacapán delegation was blocked, and the road linking to El Grullo was flooded, making normal navigation impossible. Local crews and civil protection teams have been working to restore safe routes while assessing structural damage to buildings and utilities in the affected neighborhoods.
The mayor of Autlán, Gustavo Robles Martínez, communicated through social media that the municipal civil protection unit had logged numerous reports of water leaks and flooding in residences. He described the situation as complex and said crews were conducting a forceful, urgent response to protect residents. He also noted that one church had been repurposed as a temporary shelter for people at risk, illustrating how communities adapt quickly when weather events disrupt daily life and housing stability.
Officials from the State Civil Protection Unit and Jalisco Firefighters explained that determining material and human impacts remains difficult due to limited communications along the coast and in mountainous areas, plus power outages in several locales. The lack of reliable information often slows the initial assessments, but responders are prioritizing rapid data collection to guide relief operations and ensure vulnerable groups receive timely assistance.
The hurricane made landfall on Tuesday as a category 4 storm near Cabo Corrientes, along the north coast of Jalisco, before tracking inland toward the east-northeast. The National Weather Service reported maximum sustained winds near 220 kilometers per hour with gusts reaching up to 260 kilometers per hour as it crossed Mexican territory. The system was moving at approximately 26 kilometers per hour in an east-northeast direction, prolonging its impacts across multiple municipalities and complicating evacuation and shelter plans for days to come.
In anticipation of the storm, the National Civil Protection Coordination issued red alerts for 22 municipalities in Jalisco and 11 municipalities in Nayarit. The Government of Jalisco established 23 temporary shelters along the coast and deployed more than 1,300 civil protection personnel from three levels of government to oversee preventive measures and rescue operations. Classes were postponed in basic, secondary, and higher education institutions on Wednesday in the affected areas to reduce risk and ensure students and staff remain safe during the severe weather. Municipal leaders and state authorities are coordinating resources to maintain essential services and support affected communities throughout the crisis response.
During the crisis, a joint emergency protocol was activated involving national agencies and local authorities, with up to 32,293 personnel deployed along the entire coast from Colima to Sinaloa. The teams coordinate shelter operations, road clearing, medical assistance, and infrastructure protection across the impacted states. As the weather evolves, officials emphasize continued vigilance, readiness for potential further evacuations, and the importance of staying tuned to official advisories for safety guidance and resource availability. Citations indicate that the situation remains fluid, and updates will reflect the latest on-the-ground conditions and response efforts across Jalisco, Nayarit, and neighboring regions.