Hurricane Lidia (2023)

Hurricane Lidia was a powerful Category 4 Pacific hurricane that was one of four tropical cyclones to make landfall on the Pacific Coast of Mexico in October 2023. The fifteenth tropical depression, twelfth named storm, eighth hurricane and sixth major hurricane of the 2023 Pacific hurricane season, Lidia originated from a disturbance that developed to the south of Mexico in late September 2023. The disturbance developed into a tropical storm on October 3, and was given the name Lidia. Lidia initially meandered off the coast of Mexico for several days as a moderate tropical storm, while moving gradually northward. Lidia first turned northwestward before embarking on a northeastward course on October 9, at which time the storm began a phase of rapid intensification. Early on October 10, Lidia became a hurricane, and the storm continued to quickly intensify, reaching its peak intensity as a Category 4 hurricane late that day with sustained winds of 140 mph (220 km/h). Lidia made landfall shortly afterwards at peak intensity, making it the third-strongest landfalling Pacific hurricane on record at the time. Lidia rapidly weakened over the mountainous terrain of Mexico and dissipated the following morning over the inland state of Zacatecas.

Lidia caused extensive damage across southwestern Mexico, impacting the area less than 48 hours after it was struck by Tropical Storm Max. Lidia resulted in significant flooding, torrential rainfall and very powerful winds that severely damaged many structures, and the storm forced airport and school closings, along with the opening of 23 temporary shelters. Three deaths occurred due to Lidia in Mexico. Enrique Alfaro, the governor of Jalisco, estimated that losses from Lidia in the state totaled MXN$1.4 billion (USD$77.6 million).