Simon has transformed into a powerful Category 4 hurricane as it advances towards Mexico’s Pacific coastline. The National Hurricane Center in Miami reported on Saturday that Simon’s maximum sustained winds have reached 155 miles per hour. The hurricane is expected to approach the west-central coast of Mexico on Sunday as a major hurricane, defined as Category 3 or stronger, with winds of at least 111 mph. On Saturday night, Simon was just below the Category 5 threshold, which is set at 157 mph.
Forecasters indicated that Simon might weaken swiftly if the hurricane’s center comes completely onshore upon landfall. The storm could bring between 10 to 20 inches of rain to parts of southwestern Mexico, with potential for up to 30 inches in areas such as Michoacan, Colima, and Jalisco. According to the hurricane center, this rainfall could lead to life-threatening flooding and mudslides, particularly in steep terrain regions. Citizens were urged to take immediate precautions as tropical storm conditions started on Saturday afternoon.
As of Saturday, Simon was approximately 65 miles south-southwest of Manzanillo, Mexico, moving slowly in a northward direction at 5 mph. The hurricane center emphasized that preparations to safeguard life and property should be completed urgently in the warning area before weather conditions worsened.
In response, Jalisco state suspended classes in 22 coastal municipalities scheduled for Monday and began evacuating residents from high-risk zones. Additionally, the tourism industry in Puerto Vallarta, a popular spot for U.S. tourists, was instructed to ensure both employees and visitors were sheltered by Friday afternoon. Businesses like convenience stores and hotels started boarding up windows under cloudy conditions in Puerto Vallarta.
Jesús Gómez, a local vendor, shared his plans, saying, “Let’s hope it doesn’t hit us. We’ll keep working until officials tell us to close and seek shelter.” Meanwhile, a dangerous storm surge is anticipated along the immediate coast near the storm’s landfall center, accompanied by large, destructive waves.
Ed Currie, a Canadian tourist, mentioned that the hurricane hadn’t yet altered his vacation plans. “We’ll stay in the hotel and watch from the window,” he commented.
This Pacific hurricane season has been notably active compared to the Atlantic, which only recently saw its first named hurricane, Isaias. Simon’s arrival follows Hurricane Polo, which hit Mexico last week as a Category 2 hurricane, resulting in heavy flooding in the southwestern U.S.
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