JALISCO, Mexico, Oct. 24 (UPI) — Hurricane Patricia broke apart as it moved over Mexico on Saturday, downgrading to a tropical storm hours after it left a swath of damage that included uprooted trees and downed powerlines.
The storm, which slammed into Mexico as a Category 5 hurricane with nearly 200 mph winds, caused flooding and landslides but no injuries have been reported. The maximum sustained winds decreased Saturday to about 50 mph with more weakening expected as it moves across the mountainous region. Officials said there is still a risk for deadly mudslides. The storm took a path through a sparsely populated area of western Mexico, so reports of damages or injuries may be delayed.
At landfall, the U.S. National Hurricane Center estimated the storm topped out at 165 mph winds, although Mexico’s own weather center said it measured wind speeds at 190 mph. It was the most powerful storm on record to hit the Western Hemisphere.
Early Saturday, the Mexican government canceled all coastal warnings. By 7 a.m., the storm was moving north-northeast near 21 mph to central and northeastern Mexico. As it moves into the United States, it could bring more rain to already soaked Texas.
“Rapid weakening is expected to continue, and Patricia is forecast to become a tropical depression later today and dissipate tonight,” the National Hurricane Center said. Continuing rainfall is expected to drop up to 12 inches over the states of Nayarit, Jalisco, Colima, Michoacan, and Guerrero through Saturday, with flash floods and mudslides expected.
