This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-34614864

The article has changed 15 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Mexicans await 'potentially catastrophic' Hurricane Patricia Hurricane Patricia: Mexico awaits category five storm
(35 minutes later)
Mexican authorities have begun moving residents and closing ports in parts of the country's Pacific coast ahead of the arrival of Hurricane Patricia.Mexican authorities have begun moving residents and closing ports in parts of the country's Pacific coast ahead of the arrival of Hurricane Patricia.
Officials have warned that the category five storm could be the strongest ever to hit Mexico's Pacific coast. The category five storm is expected to be one of the strongest recorded tropical cyclones.
The World Meteorological Organization has said the hurricane is comparable with Typhoon Haiyan, which killed 6,300 people in the Philippines in 2013.
A state of emergency has been declared in three states in Patricia's path.A state of emergency has been declared in three states in Patricia's path.
The hurricane is expected to make landfall on Friday afternoon or evening, with winds of up to 200 mph (325km/h). The hurricane is expected to make landfall on Friday afternoon or evening, with winds of up to 200mph (325km/h).
The US National Hurricane Center said Patricia was "potentially catastrophic".The US National Hurricane Center said Patricia was "potentially catastrophic".
Some 400,000 people live in vulnerable areas, according to Mexico's National Disaster Fund.Some 400,000 people live in vulnerable areas, according to Mexico's National Disaster Fund.
The hurricane, which will bring torrential rain, could trigger flash floods and mudslides, the US centre said.The hurricane, which will bring torrential rain, could trigger flash floods and mudslides, the US centre said.
It also warned of potential flooding from the sea.It also warned of potential flooding from the sea.
BBC Earth explains: What is a hurricane?
According to forecasters, Patricia will make landfall in the western state of Jalisco, home to the resort town of Puerto Vallarta, which could lie directly in its path.According to forecasters, Patricia will make landfall in the western state of Jalisco, home to the resort town of Puerto Vallarta, which could lie directly in its path.
Schools have been closed in Jalisco, Colima and Guerrero states.Schools have been closed in Jalisco, Colima and Guerrero states.
Shelters that can accommodate 259,000 people are available, the government says.Shelters that can accommodate 259,000 people are available, the government says.
Shop owners in Manzanillo, a major port in neighbouring Colima state, have begun boarding up windows.Shop owners in Manzanillo, a major port in neighbouring Colima state, have begun boarding up windows.
"[It's] better to be safe than sorry. Hurricanes are unpredictable," furniture store manager Enrique Esparza told AFP. "[It's] better to be safe than sorry. Hurricanes are unpredictable," furniture store manager Enrique Esparza told AFP news agency.
Residents have also begun stocking up on food and other supplies.Residents have also begun stocking up on food and other supplies.
Heavy rains often leads to flooding in the town, said Alejandra Rodriguez, who was shopping at Wal-Mart in Manzanillo with her brother and mother.Heavy rains often leads to flooding in the town, said Alejandra Rodriguez, who was shopping at Wal-Mart in Manzanillo with her brother and mother.
"It ends up like an island," she said."It ends up like an island," she said.
Mexico has to deal with tropical storms from both the Pacific and Atlantic oceans at this time of year. Mexico has to deal with tropical storms arriving from both the Pacific and Atlantic oceans at this time of year.