Hurricane Patricia has now become the strongest storm ever recorded in the East Pacific. With sustained winds of up to 200 miles per hour, the Category 5 hurricane barreling towards Mexico seems to be developing into the strongest hurricane in history, according to The Telegraph.
Weather authorities have issued warnings about Patricia, stating that the hurricane's strength might cause immense damage when it makes landfall on the Pacific coast of western Mexico. Gusts from Patricia have been recorded to move upwards of 245 mph.
The storm was located about 160 miles south-southwest of the port of Manzanillo, Mexico, and was moving north-northwest at 10 mph. If it continues to move at this speed, it would make landfall between Manzanillo and Puerto Vallarta Friday afternoon or evening, reported Fox News.
Though Patricia is expected to lose some of her power when it hits Mexico, the hurricane is still extremely dangerous. Weather forecasters have advised citizens in the affected areas to prepare for the massive hurricane's arrival, and that the hurricane's power might cause coastal flooding, destructive waves and flash floods.
Authorities in Mexico have responded to the hurricane's approach by declaring a state of emergency in dozens of municipalities, in Colima, Nayarit and Jalisco states. The governor of Colima has already ordered that all schools be closed on Friday.
Hurricane Patricia is expected to bring about six to 12 inches of rainfall, with isolated amounts of 20 inches in some locations.
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