A powerful gust of wind swept across the Chapala waterfront mid-afternoon Saturday, February 19, striking terror among tourists as it ripped apart a dozen canopies that provided shade for customers dining at the string of restaurant stalls located on the exterior of the Malecón commercial zone.

Serving staff and their clients scrambled for safety amidst the sudden tempest that broke up the cover structures and sent furnishings flying across the ground. One person in the crowd showed up later at the nearby Cruz Roja clinic for treatment of minor injuries.

Civil Protection personnel arrived promptly on the scene to cordon off the area and cut off electrical power before inspecting the damages and removing the wrecked awnings.

The food stands gradually resumed business throughout this week, setting up their tables and chairs under the shade of trees in the adjacent park area.   

The Saturday squall blew westward along the shoreline, dropping spurts of rain and hail between Riberas del Pilar and Ajijic. “Febrero Loco y Marzo otro poco” is the Spanish expression commonly employed to describe freak weather phenomena that may occur sporadically during the second and third months of the year.