Hurricane Rachel is moving along Mexico’s Pacific coast this week, and Puerto Vallarta is feeling its outer effects: heavy rain, strong gusts and very large surf. This page is a calm, practical checklist for the next 24 to 48 hours. Nothing here is complicated. It is mostly about staying put and staying dry while the storm passes.
Safety notice: conditions change by the hour. Follow the National Weather Service of Mexico (SMN), Protección Civil Puerto Vallarta and the instructions of your building or hotel. This page is general information, not an official alert.
What Is Happening
As of September 30, 2026, reports citing the SMN and Protección Civil described Rachel as a hurricane south of the Baja California Peninsula, forecast to pass offshore rather than make landfall near Puerto Vallarta. Even so, the coast of Jalisco was expected to see rain bands, with roughly 75 to 150 millimeters of rain in western and southern Jalisco, gusts of 70 to 90 km/h, and waves of 4 to 6 meters. A tropical storm warning was in effect for part of the Michoacán, Colima and Jalisco coast. Forecast tracks can shift, so check the latest bulletin rather than relying on this paragraph.
While the Storm Passes: What Not to Do
- Stay out of the ocean and off the beach. This includes the Malecón sea wall and the shoreline. Large waves can reach well past the sand, and rip currents are strong even on days that look calm from the street.
- Stay off rooftops and terraces. Wind gusts make roof decks, azoteas and exposed balconies unsafe. Do not go up to check an antenna, a tinaco or a loose item while the wind is blowing.
- Avoid walking in the streets. Water runs fast in the steep streets and arroyos of Vallarta, and flying debris is the real hazard in wind. Stay out of ravines, riverbeds and anywhere water is collecting.
- Do not drive. Flooded streets hide potholes and open drains, and a car can stall in less water than you would expect. If you must travel, wait for the rain to ease and for authorities to say roads are passable.
What to Do Now
- Stay indoors in a room away from large windows, and keep curtains or shutters closed.
- Charge phones and power banks, and keep a flashlight and a battery radio within reach.
- Store drinking water and a few days of food that need no cooking, plus any medication you take.
- Bring in or tie down anything on a balcony or terrace: furniture, plants, grills and umbrellas.
- Keep important documents and passports in a waterproof bag.
- If you are visiting, call your airline and your hotel or rental host for updates, and follow their instructions.
- Check on neighbors who live alone, especially older adults, once it is safe to do so.
After the Storm
Wait for the all-clear from Protección Civil before going out, and stay away from downed power lines and standing water. When it is safe, walk your property: drains, roof, ceilings and windows. I put together a short checklist for that in After a Storm: What to Check in Your Puerto Vallarta Property. For a broader view of how the season usually plays out here, see hurricane season in Puerto Vallarta.
Vallarta handles storms like this well when people respect them. Stay safe, and message me if you need anything.
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— Neft Román, Legacy Vallarta Realty
Affiliate of AMPI Puerto Vallarta y Compostela
This guide is general information, not an official weather alert or professional advice. Always follow instructions from Protección Civil, the SMN and local authorities.
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