Hurricane Willa could play havoc with parts of Mexico. The U.S. National Hurricane Center has issued a necessary warning in this regard. In one of the tourist resorts, the beach bore the brunt of the attack as huge waves slammed the coastal boulevard and clouds gathered in the sky. The grim situation forced people to board up the windows of their homes, hotels, and shops. The federal Interior Department has announced an emergency in some municipalities in Nayarit and Sinaloa states.

Los Angeles Times reports evacuation of 7,000 to 8,000 people from danger zones in low-lying areas, mostly in Sinaloa state.

Authorities consider this to be vulnerable because of the presence of a number of small towns located between the sea and lagoons. Hurricane Willa was previously approaching Islas Marias which is a cluster of islands that has a nature preserve and a federal prison.

People are reluctant to evacuate

When Hurricane Willa strikes, it will throw life completely out of gear and areas in its path will face difficulties in the form of disruption of comminution links, and power outage, etcetera.

Therefore, the authorities have advised the people to move out to safer locations. However, there is a reluctance on the part of many to evacuate. Enrique Moreno, mayor of Escuinapa, a municipality of about 60,000 people, wants total evacuation of the seaside village of Teacapan but the response is not as expected.

Mazatlan is a vacation spot and is also in danger.

It has a population of about 500,000 with many expatriates of American and Canadian origin. Shelters are ready to accommodate those who want to move out. Mayor Jose Joel Boucieguez said officials are monitoring the situation. The U.S. hurricane center has issued warnings of heavy rains accompanied by flash floods and landslides, especially in the mountains.

Flights are affected

According to CNN, Hurricane Willa is one of the strongest storms ever to hit the Pacific coast of Mexico. The National Hurricane Center predicts that Willa will move ahead with speeds of around 130 mph and could result in storms accompanied by heavy rains. Uncertain weather conditions have upset many flight plans. An aircraft of the Air Force had to return to base because of the possibilities of damage to its onboard equipment from lightning. Southwest has canceled its flights at the International Airport in Puerto Vallarta. This is a resort city in the state of Jalisco state. American Airlines has also followed suit by canceling flights in the city of Mazatlan.

Incidentally, Hurricane Willa is coming three years after the Category 5 Hurricane Patricia made landfall in Jalisco.

The increase in the number of major hurricanes in recent years is a matter of concern. Rise in temperature of the ocean waters because of climate change could be one reason for this. It seems the ocean waters off the western coast of Mexico are, right now, higher than the average for late October.
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