 Impact from the hurricane was severe and widespread . Initially forecast to remain offshore , the system curved northeast and moved ashore , becoming one of Mexico 's worst natural disasters at the time . Up to 150 boats were submerged . Countless homes in Colima and Jalisco were damaged or destroyed , large portions of the states were inaccessible by flash flooding , and hundreds of residents were stranded . All coconut plantations were blown down during the storm , leaving thousands without work and instating fear that it would take the economy years to recover . Torrential rainfall across mountain terrain contributed to numerous mudslides that caused hundreds of fatalities . In the aftermath of the cyclone , convoys delivering aid were hindered by the destruction . Residents were vaccinated to prevent the spread of disease . Overall , the hurricane inflicted at least $ 280 million ( 1959 USD ) in damage . 
