Hurricane Lidia (2023)

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Hurricane Lidia (2023) was a powerful Pacific hurricane that formed south of Mexico in early October. It started as a tropical storm on October 3 and became a hurricane on October 10. Lidia rapidly strengthened to a Category 4 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 140 mph (220 km/h) and a central pressure of 942 mb, then made landfall near Las Peñitas in Jalisco, just south of Puerto Vallarta, at peak intensity. It quickly weakened over the Mexican mountains and dissipated on October 11.

Impact and damage: Lidia caused heavy rainfall, flooding, and strong winds across western Mexico, especially in Jalisco, Nayarit, and Colima. There were three deaths and about $79 million in damage. The storm led to airport and school closures, the closing of beaches and hotels, and the opening of 23 storm shelters. The Mexican government deployed about 6,000 troops to assist in affected areas.

Remnants and broader effects: After landfall, Lidia’s remnants brought rainfall to parts of the U.S. Gulf Coast and southern Texas. Lidia was one of the strongest Pacific hurricanes to strike Mexico at that time.