Hurricane Simon reaches Category 4 as Mexico braces for landfall
Hurricane Simon strengthened to Category 4 off Mexico's Pacific coast, with 150mph winds and heavy rain threatening severe flooding, mudslides and storm surges.
- Hurricane Simon has intensified into a powerful Category 4 storm off Mexico's Pacific coast, with sustained winds of 240km/h.
- The storm is expected to make landfall on the country's west-central coast, bringing destructive winds, storm surges and life-threatening floods.
- A hurricane warning is in effect for a stretch of the coastline including the major port of Manzanillo, with up to 76cm of rain forecast in some areas.
- Authorities have urged residents to complete preparations, with emergency services on patrol and some precautionary evacuations underway in at-risk communities.
Mexico braced for Hurricane Simon on Saturday (October 10) after the storm intensified to Category 4 off its Pacific coast, threatening destructive winds, storm surges and life-threatening flooding ahead of its expected landfall.
The US National Hurricane Center (NHC) placed Simon about 185km (115 miles) south-southwest of Manzanillo on Saturday morning. The hurricane was moving north with maximum sustained winds of 240km/h (150mph). Further strengthening remained possible before the storm approached Mexico's west-central coast late on Saturday or early Sunday.
By Sunday, Simon's centre was expected to be near or just inland of the coast.
A hurricane warning covered parts of the Pacific coastline south of Puerto Vallarta, including Manzanillo, Mexico's largest Pacific port, and the offshore Islas Marías archipelago. A tropical storm watch extended farther south towards Lázaro Cárdenas.
The NHC urged residents in the warning areas to complete preparations to protect their lives and property before conditions worsened.
Heavy rainfall raises fears of flooding and mudslides
The NHC forecast 25–51cm (10–20 inches) of rain across parts of southwestern Mexico through Sunday, with isolated accumulations potentially reaching 76cm (30 inches) in Michoacán, Colima and Jalisco.
Mexican authorities also warned of heavy rainfall in Guerrero. The downpours could trigger life-threatening flooding and mudslides, particularly in mountainous areas.
Coastal areas faced additional threats from storm surges and large, destructive waves near and to the east of the expected landfall point. Swells generated by Simon were also expected to affect parts of Mexico's southwestern and west-central coasts over the following days, creating hazardous surf and rip currents.
Coastal communities begin emergency preparations
Residents in Manzanillo appeared largely calm during the early afternoon on Saturday, despite the approaching hurricane.
A Reuters reporter observed little evidence of panic buying at supermarkets, although some shops had started boarding up their windows and other businesses were closing. Streets were comparatively quiet as residents prepared for worsening conditions.
Rain had been falling intermittently since late Friday, while rising seas were pushing waves almost to the entrances of beachfront hotels. Strong winds had not yet reached the area.
Civil protection teams closed beaches, erected barriers and raised red and black warning flags, urging people to stay away from the shoreline.
Marines, soldiers, National Guard officers and emergency personnel were also patrolling areas at risk of flooding and landslides.
In neighbouring Jalisco state, officials had begun precautionary evacuations in parts of Cihuatlán, a flood-prone municipality near Manzanillo.
Rivers were already running high in some areas, raising concerns that heavier rainfall could cause them to overflow.
Rapid intensification increases concerns over damage
AccuWeather meteorologist Dan Pydynowski warned that Simon's rapid intensification made the hurricane particularly dangerous.
"Simon has strengthened incredibly quickly, and that’s what makes storms like this so dangerous," he explained.
"Strong winds could damage homes and businesses, while flooding and mudslides could wash out roads and make it difficult for emergency crews to reach some communities. Even after the storm passes, power outages and damaged infrastructure could make recovery challenging."
Simon's approach came a week after Hurricane Polo made landfall on the Baja California Peninsula as a Category 2 storm, toppling trees and utility poles, flooding streets and damaging property.
