Patricia slams Mexico Pacific Coast as Category 5 hurricane

PUERTO VALLARTA, Mexico (AP) — Hurricane Patricia roared onshore in southwestern Mexico this evening, bringing lashing rains, surging seas and cyclonic winds with what forecasters called a potential to cause "catastrophic" damage.

The storm's center made landfall near Cuixmala, about 55 miles (85 kilometers) west-northwest of the port city of Manzanillo. Record wind speeds measured earlier in the day had fallen off somewhat to 165 mph (270 kph), the U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami said, but Patricia was still an extremely dangerous Category 5 storm.

Residents and tourists hunkered down in shelters and homes across a stretch of Pacific coastline dotted with sleepy fishing villages and gleaming resorts, including Manzanillo and the popular beach city of Puerto Vallarta. Patricia's projected path was expected to quickly take it over mountainous terrain that is prone to dangerous flash floods and landslides.

Strong winds whipped palm trees and powerful waves rolled ashore in the storm area.

In Puerto Vallarta, residents had reinforced homes with sandbags and shop windows with boards and tape, and hotels rolled up beachfront restaurants. The airport was closed to flights and all but deserted, but lines formed at a bus station as people sought to buy tickets to Guadalajara and other inland destinations.