Hurricane Patricia Update: Resorts, Airports Close

View of Hurricane Patricia from the International Space Station.

Officially the strongest storm on record, Hurricane Patricia is in the process of making landfall in southwestern  Mexico and is bringing with it winds exceeding 200mph and rainfall up to as much as 20 inches in some areas. A number of hotels and resorts along the Mexican coast have shut their doors and evacuated guests from their properties:

• More than 15,000 people are expected to be evacuated from Puerto Vallarta today, according to a report by ETurboNews.
• Playa Hotels and Resorts in Puerto Vallarta announced plans for evacuation earlier today, saying that it was transporting any remaining guests to arranged accommodations.
• Puerto Vallarta’s airport and Manzanillo’s airport are closed, with no flights leaving or departing as of Friday afternoon.
• The Sheraton Hotel in Puerto Vallarta checked all of its almost 900 guests out of the hotel before the storm hit.
• The Hard Rock Hotel in Puerto Vallarta is currently monitoring the hurricane as it approaches the area. A statement from the hotel said that it is prepared with a backup generator, emergency lamps, and food and water for its guests.

Pic: Twitter @StationCDRKelly