Hurricane Jova, now downgraded to a Category 2 storm, is expected to make landfall at 11 p.m. Tuesday on the southern Jalisco coastline in the municipality of La Huerta, just north of Barra de Navidad.
Residents of coastal towns can expect winds of up 118 kilometers per hour as the eye of the storm crashes into the coastline and continues its path inland, said Martín Jimenez, a spokesperson for Mexico's National Meteorology Service. At its peak yesterday afternoon, meteorologists were reporting Jova's winds at around 160 to 170 kph.
Authorities warned residents not to ignore the potential dangers just because the hurricane had weakened. People residing on the immediate shoreline are not the only ones at risk; communities further inland are often prone to landslides during heavy rainstorms.
Around 1,000 schools closed their doors and evacuation shelters opened in communities all along the Jalisco, Colima and Nayarit coastlines Tuesday in anticipation of the approaching hurricane. Jalisco authorities said 69 shelters were ready to receive evacuees, while Nayarit had reportedly opened 43 and Colima 29.
All marine acitivity in the port of Manzanillo shut down at 3 p.m. Tuesday and city hall ordered public transport firms to cease operations by 6 p.m.
Many businesses in Manzanilo and other coastal towns have taken precautions to protect glass windows and structures.
Workers in Puerto Vallarta placed protective sandbags around the Pan American Games beach volleyball stadium Monday, although Jalisco Governor Emilio Gonzalez said the hurricane would not affect the event – which opens Friday in Guadalajara – and will have passed completely by Thursday.
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