Hurricane Simon surged to Category 4 strength on Saturday, packing sustained winds of 150 mph (240 kph) as it moved northward along Mexico’s Pacific shoreline. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) placed the storm about 115 miles (185 km) south‑southwest of Manzanillo, the nation’s largest Pacific port.
Warnings and preparations
A hurricane warning now covers the coast south of the resort town of Puerto Vallarta, including Manzanillo and the Islas Marías archipelago. Further south, a tropical storm watch extends toward Lázaro Cárdenas. The NHC urged residents in the warned zones to rush preparations to protect life and property.
Potential impacts
Experts warned that Simon’s powerful winds could damage homes and businesses, while torrential rain may trigger life‑threatening flooding and mudslides, especially in the mountainous regions of Guerrero, Michoacán, Colima and Jalisco. The storm is expected to dump 10‑20 inches (25‑51 cm) of rain across southwestern Mexico through Sunday, with isolated totals of up to 30 inches (76 cm) possible in parts of Michoacán, Colima and Jalisco.
Storm surge and large, destructive waves are forecast along the coast near and east of the eventual landfall point, creating hazardous surf and rip‑current conditions that could affect swimmers and boaters for days.
Local response
Mexican authorities emphasized the need for rapid action, noting that power outages and damaged infrastructure could complicate recovery efforts after the storm passes. AccuWeather meteorologist Dan Pydynowski described Simon’s rapid intensification as a key factor that makes the storm especially dangerous.
Historical context
Just last week, Hurricane Polo made landfall on the Baja California Peninsula as a Category 2 storm, toppling trees, downing utility poles and flooding streets. Simon’s escalation to Category 4 underscores the heightened activity in the eastern Pacific during the current hurricane season.
Residents in the warning area are advised to secure property, stock essential supplies, and stay tuned to local emergency broadcasts for updates on the storm’s track and timing of landfall, expected late Saturday or early Sunday.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
