Hurricane Patricia Strongest Recorded Storm in Western Hemisphere

Hurricane Forecasters are predicting that Hurricane Patricia is the strongest hurricane ever recorded. Patricia is rated a Category 5 Hurricane and is bearing down the Southwestern coast of Mexico and is expected to make landfall on Friday afternoon.

Max sustained winds have been recorded at 200 mph and land with heavy rains expected to flood areas along the Southwestern Mexican coast. Patricia has been compared to the 2013 typhoon which ravaged the Philippines killing nearly 8,000 people and causing billions of dollars in damage.

As of 7AM CDT there is a minimal impact expected for the Lubbock and West Texas area with the rains from Patricia. However, heavy rains and flooding are expected in Central and East Texas including the cities of Austin, San Antonio, and Houston.

For more information on the storm you can read the hurricane discussion at nhc.noaa.gov and for driving conditions in Texas visit drivetexas.org or call 1-800-452-9292.