<P> Hurricane Patricia set multiple records for maximum strength, rate of intensification, and rate of weakening throughout its relatively short existence . With maximum sustained winds of 215 mph (345 km / h) and a minimum pressure of 872 mbar (hPa; 25.75 inHg), Patricia is the most intense tropical cyclone ever observed in the Western Hemisphere . In terms of central pressure, it is also the second-most intense tropical cyclone ever recorded worldwide, just shy of Typhoon Tip in 1979 which had a minimum pressure of 870 mbar (hPa; 25.69 inHg). Patricia's one - minute maximum sustained winds ranked as the highest ever reliably observed or estimated in a tropical cyclone, surpassing Typhoon Haiyan of 2013 . The magnitude of Patricia's rapid intensification is among the fastest ever observed . In a 24 - hour period, 06: 00--06: 00 UTC October 22--23, its maximum sustained winds increased from 85 mph (140 km / h) to 205 mph (335 km / h), a record increase of 120 mph (195 km / h). During the same period, Patricia's central pressure fell by 95 mbar (hPa; 2.81 inHg). Despite record over-water weakening prior to striking Mexico, Patricia became the most intense Pacific hurricane to make landfall, with a pressure of 932 mbar (hPa; 27.52 inHg). </P> <P> Before Hurricane Patricia arrived, the Government of Mexico issued multiple watches and warnings for coastal communities . A hurricane watch was first raised at 09: 00 UTC on October 21, encompassing areas of Michoacán, Colima, and Jalisco . A tropical storm watch also covered portions of Guerrero . As Patricia intensified, the government issued a hurricane warning for areas between Cabo Corrientes, Jalisco, and Punta San Telmo, Michoacán; a tropical storm warning supplemented this for areas farther north and east . The hurricane warning was extended northward to include areas south of San Blas, Nayarit, on October 23 . Once the storm moved inland and the threat of damaging winds diminished, these warnings were gradually discontinued on October 24 . </P> <P> Following Patricia's upgrade to Category 5 status, the National Hurricane Center called the storm "potentially catastrophic", a source of criticism and praise from various media . Citing the relatively limited damage and loss of life, some outlets, including the Associated Press, claimed the agency was exaggerating the danger posed by the storm . However, most outlets praised them for effectively communicating the dire threat and potentially saving lives from an exceptionally powerful hurricane . </P> <P> Across Michoacán, Colima, Jalisco, and Nayarit, 1,782 shelters were opened on October 22 with a collective capacity of 258,000 people . Officials in Manzanillo began distributing sandbags during the afternoon of October 22 . Schools across Guerrero and Jalisco suspended activities for October 22 and 23, respectively . Civil protection officials planned to evacuate roughly 50,000 people from Colima, Jalisco, and Nayarit . To expedite the process, 2 aircraft and 600 buses were used to shuttle evacuees . Ultimately, 8,500 people evacuated prior to the storm's arrival, including 2,600 in Cabo Corrientes . One person died during an evacuation in Jalisco . Roughly 25,000 personnel from the Mexican Army, Navy, and Federal Police were deployed preemptively . More than 500 Red Cross volunteers were on standby . The Mexican Red Cross prepositioned food for 3,500 families . Approximately 30 kg (66 lb) of aid was prepositioned in Colima for distribution after the hurricane's passage . The Electric Federal Commission dispatched 2,500 crewmen, 152 cranes, 15 all - terrain vehicles, 4 helicopters, and 84 generators to cope with potential power outages . Mexican authorities received praise for effectively carrying out emergency preparations . </P>

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