Image credit: Weather.com
The Mexican Pacific coast resort of Puerto Vallarta escaped unscathed as the most powerful hurricane recorded in the western hemisphere weakened before making landfall.
Resorts enjoyed “extraordinary luck” in avoiding devastation, according to Mexico’s secretary of tourism, Enrique de la Madrid Cordero.
Hurricane Patricia weakened to category two level as it lost power while passing over Mexico.
However, parts of Texas were hit by flash floods as more than a foot of rain fell over the weekend, resulting in disruption to roads and causing Dallas Fort Worth airport to cancel flights.
Tourists staying in Puerto Vallarta who were evacuated to shelters and hotels out of town on Saturday returned yesterday.
A spokesman said the town was now “fully operational with 100% of its hotel and restaurant facilities open, as well as its International Airport, marina, cruise port and convention centre”.
He added: “All domestic and international airlines as well as buses, taxis and other ground transport companies have resumed their normal service schedule.??
“All tourists who were transferred to shelters and hotels outside of Puerto Vallarta as a precaution have now been safely returned to Puerto Vallarta and are enjoying a day of clear skies and sunshine.?
“Southwest Airlines scheduled two recovery flights to Houston and Phoenix to help with getting people home.
“No changes to the cruise schedule have been made. Disney’s Wonder cruise ship, carrying 2,400 passengers, will arrive in Puerto Vallarta as scheduled on Monday October 26, and Norwegian Jewel and Ruby Princess will make their scheduled calls on Wednesday as planned.
“No human loss or infrastructure damages have been reported as a result of Hurricane Patricia.”