Fierce storm downs trees and damages shopping malls in Guadalajara, with more rain on the way

The intense storm that struck the Guadalajara Metropolitan Area (ZMG) Sunday afternoon left behind downed trees, pooled water on roadways and damaged shopping centers in both Guadalajara and Zapopan. In Zapopan, Civil Protection and Fire Department authorities reported that at least 13 trees had fallen, mostly in the city center. One went down on Patria Avenue, near the urban forest of Los Colomos, blocking traffic. The trees felled during Sunday’s fierce storm can be added to the summer-long count of downed trees in the Guadalajara Metropolitan Zone that has been reported to surpass one thousand. (Alcalde Barranquitas GDL) In Guadalajara, initial reports counted another seven fallen trees. The affected areas include Pablo Neruda and Circuito Madrigal intersections; Terranova and Buenos Aires; Manuel Diéguez and José María Vigil; and Patria and Alberta. Authorities worked to remove branches and trunks, clear streets and reduce risks for pedestrians and motorists. The storm also caused damage to shopping centers. Andares, a shopping mall in the high-end residential area of Puerta de Hierro, Zapopan, reported that water leaked through the roof of a department store, damaging merchandise. Meanwhile, gusts of wind caused glass panels to detach and fall from the roof in Midtown, a shopping mall located along López Mateos Avenue in Guadalajara. Debris fell onto the food court, where diners and visitors were taking shelter from the storm. However, no injuries were reported as a result of the incident. In addition to fallen trees and damage to shopping centers, Sunday’s storm reportedly caused power outages in several neighborhoods in the ZMG, where power didn’t return until Monday morning. More rain was expected today across the city, with the National Water Commission (Conagua) anticipating an 80% chance of rain in Guadalajara and 40% in Zapopan. Despite the severe storms that have occurred this year in Jalisco, rainfall has not generated a significant recovery in the level of Lake Chapala, the main source of water supply for the ZMG. Data from Conagua revealed that the lake’s water capacity currently stands at 69% — up 6% compared to the beginning of June. Josué Sánchez Tapetillo, a specialist in water resource management, told the local newspaper El Informador that the lake has recovered approximately 46 centimeters during the current rainy season. He noted that although the recovery rate has been slow compared to previous years, there is no cause for alarm as the rainy season is not over yet. With reports from Telediario and El Informador