Cat 5: Puerto Vallarta [Hurricane Patricia]

[Ty1on]

According to NOAA, the probability of hurricane speed winds at Banderas Bay has dropped to 40% as they narrow in on the landfall point.

(This is evident in the graph, not in any narrative)

It looks like Manzanillo takes the brunt of this, as far as tourist destinations.

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/refresh/graphics_ep5+shtml/180133.shtml?hwind120#contents

 

[pittle]

I am heading to Sheraton Buganvilias the first week in January. Praying!!

We too, are praying for the folks in PV. We are supposed to be at Buganvilias for Thanksgiving and the week after. We went to Riviera Maya 3 weeks after Wilma and to NV 3 weeks after the last big hurricane that wiped out the Buganvilas. We will wait to see what happens this weekend. Our trip may need to be moved to another date.

 

[DBS1968]

I am watching this through the weather channel and the NOAA geosat

As of 4:30 PV time, the storm shifted NNE at 14 mph and will miss PV for the most part. Winds are expected to be up to 80 mph tonight and almost gone tomorrow. Rain 3-5 inches forecast over the next 12 hours. Looks like PV dodged the bullet. Manzanillo not so lucky. Storm almost hitting land there at 190 sustained winds and 12+ inches of rain. That is all I know right now from the web.

http://www.ssd.noaa.gov/PS/TROP/floaters/20E/flash-rgb-long.html

 

[Carol C]

They are sitting in the lobby of one of the buildings in the Grand Mayan. My friend wants to go back to her room. She says four members of the staff have told her the mountains will block the storm.

Is that true? Will they be protected in Nuevo Vallarta? Why would the staff tell their guests this if it's not accurate? Are they scared themselves and in denial?

Marylyn, your friends are in my prayers right now, as are all the fine people of the region soon to be hit with this monster storm.

 

[icydog]

Icy Dog, we'll be on the north, NW quadrant of the storm when Patricia makes landfall, so we shouldn't feel the brunt of it. If she hits land south of us, the mountains surrounding Banderas Bay will also knock some of the power out of her. The staff isn't lying to your friend.

Hopefully your friend will be reassured to know that people are still being moved over to the shelter. They are trying to get everyone settled in a fairly orderly fashion. I'd rather be sitting in the Grand Luxxe lobby right now. The storm should not hit for a few more hours.

Pam, my friend was just outside. No wind just rain and warm. What happened to the wind? According to the weather channel the storm hit land 1/2 hr ago. Did it miss the Grand Mayan like you suggested?

 

[easyrider]

I have watched the webcam at Flamingos in Nuevo Vallarta and it looks like nothing has happened except some rain.

http://www.villagroupresorts.com/resorts/villa-del-palmar-flamingos/live-cam


Bill

 

[itchyfeet]

Current hurricane pictures close to Manzanillo, https://www.reddit.com/live/vsowstyv3er1

 

[PamMo]

Nothing but some light, steady rain. We haven't even had much of a breeze here. Patricia's eye made landfall at the luxury resort of Cuixmala, and nailed the coastline SE of there. The housekeepers have already left the storm shelter (which is the parking garage) and gone back to work, and we've been told we'll probably start the transfer back to our rooms in another hour. We feel VERY lucky!

 

[mikenk]

Nothing but some light, steady rain. We haven't even had much of a breeze here. Patricia's eye made landfall at the luxury resort of Cuixmala, and nailed the coastline SE of there. The housekeepers have already left the storm shelter (which is the parking garage) and gone back to work, and we've been told we'll probably start the transfer back to our rooms in another hour. We feel VERY lucky!

That's great to hear; really glad you and others are safe. Thanks for your posts; I have been following the news reports - but nothing beats having a first hand report.

For sure, this will be a vacation that you will remember forever.

Mike

 

[heathpack]

Awesome to hear PamMo, so glad you are safe!

Hoping for the best for folks in the path of the storm. It sounds like a monster.

 

[taffy19]

Nothing but some light, steady rain. We haven't even had much of a breeze here. Patricia's eye made landfall at the luxury resort of Cuixmala, and nailed the coastline SE of there. The housekeepers have already left the storm shelter (which is the parking garage) and gone back to work, and we've been told we'll probably start the transfer back to our rooms in another hour. We feel VERY lucky!

You are lucky and so is PV and area. I wonder how people fared in the place you mentioned and the area around there?

 

[blackjack]

Prayers goes out to the people in and near Manzanillo. Sounds bad over there. We had our flights cancelled so we cancelled our trip. I am glad it wasn't as bad as it was and people's lives can get back to normal sooner. Instead we will be going to Las Vegas. Last minute re-trade.

 

[Phill12]

Sure glad we don't own Los Tules in PV any longer!

 

[Ty1on]

Sure glad we don't own Los Tules in PV any longer!

I would imagine, but certainly not because of this hurricane....

 

[TUGBrian]

glad to hear the folks in the thread sofar are safe!

 

[pedro47]

To all be safe and may the storm pass over the land and into the ocean.

 

[pedro47]

I agree with the others. Just pay the retrade fee and go somewhere else. I realize that it will be a disappointment but what can you do? We lost three hundred dollars due to Odile last year but rebooked in a different resort and had a great time.

FYI - I'm amazed that you can do a retrade on check in day. That's pretty awesome.

I also agree with everyone just pay the retrade fee, at least all is not loss. A Seven (7) days vacation is better than no vacation.

 

[LAX Mom]

Update us when you can PamMo. Hope you are safe and on your way home soon. Best wishes to all in the hurricane's path.

 

[dmharris]

The Vidanta staff has been great at keeping us informed, but this is a monster storm that's unheard of here - or anywhere, I guess. We don't know where they are going to evacuate us, but we've been told there's a shelter on the property. We're on the ninth floor at Grand Luxxe, and all those buildings below us look pretty puny! They told everyone to get breakfast and pack a small bag for overnight. Latest reports are that the wind will early pick up around 6pm. It's going to be a long night.

Pam, I'm praying for your safety and those all around Mexico. Hunker down and take all the essentials you can carry!

It's wonderful that there are Tuggers well versed in weather patterns to give you and us some measure of comfort. Thanks Ty1on.

 

[dmharris]

http://http://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/24/world/americas/hurricane-patricia-landfall-mexico.html?emc=edit_na_20151023&nlid=54093292&ref=cta

Patricia has been downgraded. Thank you God!

 

[PamMo]

We're settled into our new room in Grand Luxxe to wait for our flight on Monday. Puerto Vallarta is definitely open for business, so come on down! The Ameca River is roaring, but there isn't any flood or wind damage.

There are some glitches with the airport and airlines getting flights back on schedule, because they moved all the planes and crews out of here when Patricia was headed for the coast, but it isn't terrible. We had more problems getting our second flight into Missouri than the PVR to DFW leg.

Our concierge at the Grand Luxxe (Bernardo) was fantastic, and arranged for us to move into a master suite (hotel room) until Monday. We'll take these extra days to count our blessings, and thank the staff here who treated us so well when they had to be worried about their own families and homes.

 

[dmharris]

We're settled into our new room in Grand Luxxe to wait for our flight on Monday. Puerto Vallarta is definitely open for business, so come on down! The Ameca River is roaring, but there isn't any flood or wind damage.

There are some glitches with the airport and airlines getting flights back on schedule, because they moved all the planes and crews out of here when Patricia was headed for the coast, but it isn't terrible. We had more problems getting our second flight into Missouri than the PVR to DFW leg.

Our concierge at the Grand Luxxe (Bernardo) was fantastic, and arranged for us to move into a master suite (hotel room) until Monday. We'll take these extra days to count our blessings, and thank the staff here who treated us so well when they had to be worried about their own families and homes.

We're all so grateful to hear that you're safe and comfortable! Thanks Pam!

 

[mikenk]

We're settled into our new room in Grand Luxxe to wait for our flight on Monday. Puerto Vallarta is definitely open for business, so come on down! The Ameca River is roaring, but there isn't any flood or wind damage.

There are some glitches with the airport and airlines getting flights back on schedule, because they moved all the planes and crews out of here when Patricia was headed for the coast, but it isn't terrible. We had more problems getting our second flight into Missouri than the PVR to DFW leg.

Our concierge at the Grand Luxxe (Bernardo) was fantastic, and arranged for us to move into a master suite (hotel room) until Monday. We'll take these extra days to count our blessings, and thank the staff here who treated us so well when they had to be worried about their own families and homes.

Thanks for update. In retrospect, do you feel that the Vidanta Management and staff were working to a well thought out plan during the storm or planning as they went. How did they communicate?

Mike

 

[Viajanete]

We're settled into our new room in Grand Luxxe to wait for our flight on Monday. Puerto Vallarta is definitely open for business, so come on down! The Ameca River is roaring, but there isn't any flood or wind damage.

There are some glitches with the airport and airlines getting flights back on schedule, because they moved all the planes and crews out of here when Patricia was headed for the coast, but it isn't terrible. We had more problems getting our second flight into Missouri than the PVR to DFW leg.

Our concierge at the Grand Luxxe (Bernardo) was fantastic, and arranged for us to move into a master suite (hotel room) until Monday. We'll take these extra days to count our blessings, and thank the staff here who treated us so well when they had to be worried about their own families and homes.

You're a good person, PamMo. I'm sure the staff and your fellow travelers appreciate your sensible, positive, let's-not-panic-and-just-deal-with-it attitude. I'm also impressed (and, I confess, a bit mystified) that you were able to keep the connections to TUG going, even when your email failed. I'll have to remember to look here for news and updates when I have problems communicating with folks during any future disasters!

 

[x3 skier]

I got an email today from Vallarta Adventures saying everything is ok and all tours are running as scheduled.

Glad all came thru ok.

Cheers