Hurricane Patricia: Residents evacuated ahead of 'strongest storm on record'

Hurricane Patricia is expected to be the "strongest on record over the eastern North Pacific" Credit: National Hurricane Centre

Residents have been evacuated and shops and houses boarded up as Mexico declared a state of emergency ahead of the arrival of the area's "strongest storm on record".

According to the National Weather Service's National Hurricane Center, Hurricane Patricia is expected to be the "strongest on record over the eastern North Pacific" with 200 mph winds predicted.

Experts have warned that the category five storm could trigger 39-foot waves along Mexico's coast and "life-threatening" flash flooding when it makes landfall late on Friday - triggering government officials to initiate evacuations along the coast.

Properties have been boarded up along Mexico's coast ahead of Hurricane Patricia making landfall Credit: RTV
In Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, people have been packing up their belongings to avoid damage in the hurricane Credit: PA Wire

Several million residents have been advised to prepare for the "worst-case scenario" and the United States Embassy in Mexico issued an emergency message to citizens in Mexico urging them to "make preparations immediately to protect life and property".

Residents in some areas have been told to evacuate ahead of the storm Credit: RTV