Canada warns against travel to Mexico as Hurricane Patricia approaches

Canada's foreign affairs department is warning several thousand Canadians in part of Mexico expected to be hit by the massive Hurricane Patricia to seek shelter or consider leaving. Meteorologists say the hurricane is the strongest in history.

• Hurricane Patricia, aiming for Mexico, called strongest in history
• Hurricane Patricia strongest ever thanks to warm oceans, El Nino
• Hurricane Patricia prompts Mexico travel warning, cancelled flights out of Calgary
• Hurricane Patricia forces B.C. residents in Mexico to brace for the worst
• Former Winnipeggers near Puerto Vallarta brace for Hurricane Patricia

More than 500 Canadians are registered in the Pacific state of Jalisco, but it is estimated that the number of Canadians there is closer to 2,000, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada. The coastal region at risk includes San Blas to Lazaro Cardenas.

The government is advising Canadians who are in the region to seek shelter and consider leaving if it's safe to do so. The government is advising Canadians who are leaving by land to do so as soon as possible because road closures can happen on short notice.

Canadians are also being warned against travelling to Mexico.

Consular assistance is available to Canadians in Puerto Vallarta at the Canadian Embassy at +52 (55) 5724-7900, toll-free at 01-800-706-2900 or the Emergency Watch and Response Centre directly at +1 613-996-8885 (collect calls may be accepted), or toll-free at 001-800-514-0129. An email can also be sent to sos@international.gc.ca.

Both Air Canada and WestJet have issued travel warnings and have cancelled some flights to the area.

Prime minister-designate Justin Trudeau said in a statement that Canadians' thoughts are with the Mexican people as they face torrential rain, strong winds and flooding.

"Those affected by the storm will face numerous challenges, and we will continue monitoring the storm closely. Canada stands ready to support the people of Mexico, who I know will continue to exhibit their characteristic courage and resilience in the days ahead," said Trudeau.

Canadians in Mexico prepare

Several B.C. residents in southwestern Mexico were evacuated from their hotels and taken to concrete buildings that are working as temporary shelters. 

And former Winnipeggers Sandra Neuman and Andrew Vlassie, who now live near Puerto Vallarta, are bracing for the storm at their home, which she said is very solid. Neuman said she's worried about some of her neighbours.

"We're going to be fine. There's a lot of people out there that live in makeshift homes down the coast and stuff, so I'm worried about them. It's going to be pretty bad for some people," she said.

Several flights to Mexico have been cancelled out of Calgary, while rescue flights are expected to be offered as soon as airlines can safely do so.