Tropical Depression Seventeen-E Forms as Puerto Vallarta Authorities Monitor Its Evolution

Tropical Depression Seventeen-E formed on Sunday, September 20, in the Pacific Ocean, south of the coasts of Colima and Michoacán. At 3:00 p.m., the center of Seventeen-E was approximately 410 kilometers south-southeast of Punta San Telmo, Michoacán, while another reported position placed it approximately 460 kilometers south of Manzanillo, Colima. The cyclone had maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour. Authorities in Puerto Vallarta and Bahía de Banderas were monitoring Tropical Depression Seventeen-E and its trajectory over the following hours.

Puerto Vallarta Civil Protection and Firefighters issued an alert during the afternoon about the system’s evolution. Bahía de Banderas Civil Protection and Firefighters issued an afternoon alert about the system’s evolution. The forecast scenario may change as the cyclone evolves.

The National Meteorological Service forecast heavy rain with locally very heavy rain, thunderstorms and possible hail in different regions of Jalisco. The Costa-Sierra Occidental region, where Puerto Vallarta is located, was among the areas included in the forecast. The system was forecast to bring heavy to very heavy rain to Jalisco and other states in western Mexico, with expected rainfall amounts of 50 to 75 millimeters in Jalisco, Colima, Michoacán and Guerrero.

Heavy to very heavy rainfall could cause flooding, standing water and landslides, while wind gusts could cause trees and signs to fall. The SMN also forecast a long-period swell with waves 1.5 to 2.5 meters high on the coasts of Jalisco, Colima, Michoacán, Guerrero and Oaxaca. The forecast scenario does not mean that a direct impact on Puerto Vallarta or Bahía de Banderas is currently expected.

Government authorities at three levels have their prevention, preparedness and response protocols active, and CNPC, Defensa, Marina, Conagua, CFE and SICT are continuously monitoring conditions. Civil Protection asked the public to stay informed through official channels, pay attention to official information and follow instructions from the authorities.