(ANS - Colima) - Although probably the strongest hurricane ever recorded by the National Centre for Hurricanes at Miami (USA), hurricane Patricia did not cause the damage that might have been expected as it passed over Mexican territory on Friday 23 October.

by Jesús A. García, SDB

The winds and rains were very strong in the afternoon and evening of last Friday. They affected mainly the people near the coasts in the states of Nayarit, Colima and Jalisco. Thanks to the various interventions of the Civil Protection, the material damage was contained and no casualties were reported.

The Salesian communities closest to the places affected are those of the Salesians and the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians (FMA) at Colima, the capital of the State.  The FMA have a school there, while the Salesians run another school and the Church of Mary Help of Christians. There is also a group of lay people strongly identified with the Salesian charism who run a home for young people.

The two schools and the church suffered problems due to flooding. The home for young people was inundated by the excess water from a nearby canal, but it was not a serious problem.

On Friday night the hurricane continued its journey to the North-East bringing constant heavy rainfall for several hours to various cities of the state of Jalisco, including Guadalajara, where there are several works of both Salesians and FMA. Here also there was no damage of great significance.

The authorities have yet to assess fully the damage in terms of infrastructure (road damage, fallen trees, landslides and power outages). Services and transport by air and land have resumed in the areas where they had been suspended. The main effects of the passage of Patricia are the loss of crops, livestock, houses, vehicles and other property. The local, state and federal authorities continue to help the many people who have taken refuge in hotels, as a result of this natural phenomenon which some have called a super hurricane.

Published 26/10/2015