Hurricane Patricia through the eyes of a Red Cross volunteer

It was 16:00 on October 23. Uncertainty reigned among the inhabitants of the coast of Jalisco and Colima. Everything seemed to indicate the imminent landfall of Hurricane Patricia, considered the most powerful hurricane in recent years.

In anticipation of the Category 5 storm (the highest on the Saffir-Simpson scale), with winds over 266 kilometers per hour, capable of lifting vehicles and devastating everything in its path, the Federal and State Civil Protection authorities and the Army and Navy of Mexico were mobilized. The Mexican Red Cross was also ready to face the ravages that the hurricane might bring.

The Mexican Red Cross anticipated needs days before the arrival of the hurricane. More than 30 tons of humanitarian aid traveled from the capital Mexico City to the states of Colima and Jalisco in preparation for the storm.

Many volunteers were posted at strategic locations to support people who might be affected by Patricia and more than 30 emergency units were mobilized immediately.

Among these volunteers was Rodrigo de Jesus Gutierrez Vega, 27 years old, who works as an operator and EMT for the Mexican Red Cross in the state of Jalisco.

He, along with another group of volunteers, dispatched to Puerto Vallarta where the major impact from Hurricane Patricia was expected. It was his first experience anticipating the arrival of a hurricane of Patricia’s magnitude. Uncertainty and fear were prevalent. Rodrigo did not know what was going to happen, but imagined cars flying through the sky, houses destroyed, and people everywhere looking for help.

The passage of time seemed eternal. The volunteers were well protected in the Red Cross of Puerto Vallarta, where the nervous energy was focused on following the news to receive updates on the evolution and trajectory of the hurricane. Suddenly, the latest news about Patricia cleared the air a bit – the storm had diminished in power to a Category 4 and changed its trajectory, so that the impact would not be directly over Puerto Vallarta.

An emergency call following the hurricane requested the presence of volunteers and Mexican Red Cross to evacuate a community that stood on the banks of a river, near Puerto Vallarta. 50 volunteers came out to help. Rodrigo de Jesus was surprised that most of the people requesting support were people in wheelchairs, with different disabilities, and seniors. Many of those in need were of old age or were sick or disabled, making it difficult for them to walk on the pavement.

“Thank you,“ many people said “thank goodness that you did not abandon us” – were some of the words and expressions of affection for the support they received from the volunteers and the Mexican Red Cross. Rodrigo confirmed that despite their physical conditions and poor health, the people took the warnings and preventive measures that were launched by the federal and state authorities seriously.

Meanwhile, at the National Headquarters of the Mexican Red Cross, the MRC president, Fernando Suinaga Cardenas, instructed that collection centers be opened in Mexico City, Jalisco, Colima, State of Mexico, Nuevo Leon, Chihuahua, Sonora, Queretaro, Guanajuato, Morelos, San Luis Potosi, Sinaloa and Coahuila, so that they would be prepared to support people who might be affected by Patricia.

Solidarity, one of the characteristics of Mexicans, was very apparent, and soon people began gathering basic necessities and volunteers to build pantries that could be moved to the affected areas.

By Sunday October 25^th, the hurricane had passed and the damage was known. Fortunately, the hurricane did not hit with the power that was originally expected, as the mountainous area and the deviation in its path dulled the most intense wind gusts. However, the hurricane greatly affected communities located in the mountains, mainly in the municipality of Mascota, Jalisco. More than 10,000 people were affected, according to federal authorities. Fortunately, no one was killed [at the time].

The Mexican Red Cross volunteers, including Rodrigo de Jesus, distributed humanitarian aid in the municipality of Pets, in the form of non-perishable food items, toiletries and household items, to families who had lost everything, most of whom were very poor.

In the mountain communities, there was a scene of total devastation, with houses destroyed, isolated towns, and pedestrian and vehicular bridges destroyed by the force of the water. The aid had to be delivered using ropes and planks to move items from one bank to the other. “There was no other option,” assured a paramedic.

Rodrigo reported having mixed feelings about his experience as a volunteer during and following the hurricane.

On the one hand, it was very satisfying to deliver humanitarian aid to those people who had lost everything. To get a smile or a thank you was enough to motivate and reward the work we were doing. Helping these people was well worth the sleepless hours, but on the other hand, it was hard to see all the destroyed homes. These types of experiences make you more thankful for life.

During the three days of work before, during and after the passage of the storm, Rodrigo de Jesus’ communication with his wife, children and mother was not constant, so they were very worried about him. His uncles and cousins ​​tried to maintain contact with him throughout the event, but the areas where he was working with the other volunteers did not have good reception. That bothered him, because he knew it was creating stress for his family. When communication was finally restored, his greatest joy was listening to his wife and children.

Rodrigo said that it was a great experience, and taught him a great deal. “Today I value life more. The Mexican Red Cross helps to bring life, relief, and comfort to those who experience disasters. They know they will not be alone when an emergency or disaster strikes.”

“If tomorrow I learned that there was another hurricane approaching of equal or greater power to Patricia, I would be there again. I would help as many times as necessary, as long as my health allows me. I'm sure my colleagues would also be in line to help with any emergency.”

Each and everyone involved – the Red Cross States of Jalisco, Colima, Nayarit, Michoacan and Mexico State- demonstrated courage, commitment and dedication. Together we endured the uncertainty and fear, but also together we experienced the satisfaction of helping others. There was a great deal of communication and support among everyone involved. This is something to be valued and which commits the Mexican Red Cross to continue working to help those most in need.