In the calm before the storm, we were almost convinced that this year would spare us the fury of significant hurricanes. But like clockwork, Hurricane Lidia veered off the Pacific coast, setting its sights on Puerto Vallarta, and subsequently, Bucerias.
By Tuesday morning, ominous signs heralded Lidia's approach. Unusually large waves crashed upon our shores, a rare sight given our sheltered bay. These waves, breaking at just the right angle, served as an eerie prelude to the impending storm.
Initially slated for a midnight landfall, Lidia rapidly intensified, downgrading the predicted arrival to 10 pm, then 6 pm. This shifting timeline underscored the storm's alarming speed and intensifying strength, eventually escalating to a menacing Category 4 Hurricane.
The winds gained ferocity around 5:30 pm, their howls crescendoing into a cacophony of rattling windows and airborne debris by 6:30 pm. As darkness fell, so did our power, prompting the soft glow of candles and the beam of fully charged flashlights to illuminate our home.
Around 8:30 pm, an eerie calm settled in. The wind subsided, the rain ceased, and Lidia had come and gone. Surveying the aftermath, our eyes fell upon a dark street strewn with fallen trees and a toppled streetlight, stark reminders of the storm's wrath.
The true challenge arrived post-Lidia, as we grappled with a sleepless night in the stifling humidity, devoid of fans or air conditioners due to the power outage.
With daylight, I ventured out to assess the storm's impact on Bucerias. A similar journey after Hurricane Roslyn in 2022 revealed downed trees, yet remarkably, Lidia's chaos paled in comparison. One significant factor played a crucial role: Lidia's speed. Its swift passage prevented the excessive rainfall that often spells disaster, as witnessed during Roslyn. The storm's timely departure spared our canals and rivers from flooding and extensive damage.
By Wednesday evening, our home regained its electricity and internet connection. However, many in Bucerias endured a power outage that stretched into Thursday morning, leaving uncertainty lingering in the air.
Miraculously, our beloved town escaped Lidia's fury relatively unscathed. Gratitude swells within us for the overwhelming support and well-wishes we received on social media. The outpouring of love and concern from our subscribers fuels our determination to keep creating beautiful content about this amazing place we call home!
Last year's Hurricane for comparison.
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