Hurricane Simon has intensified into a formidable Category 4 hurricane off the Pacific coast of Mexico, posing risks of strong winds, storm surges, and potentially hazardous flooding as it approaches land. The U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC) reported Simon’s position around 185 kilometers south-southwest of Manzanillo on Saturday morning, with sustained winds reaching 240 km/h while moving northward.
The NHC anticipates Simon to reach the west-central coast of Mexico as a major hurricane late Saturday or early Sunday, with chances of further strengthening before making landfall. A hurricane warning has been issued for sections of Mexico’s Pacific coast, particularly areas south of Puerto Vallarta, encompassing Manzanillo and the region extending towards Lázaro Cárdenas, where a tropical storm watch is in effect.
Residents in the warned areas, including the Islas Marías archipelago, are advised by the NHC to hasten preparations for safeguarding lives and properties. AccuWeather meteorologist Dan Pydynowski highlighted the rapid strengthening of Simon, emphasizing the potential dangers posed by the storm such as damaging winds affecting residences and businesses, as well as the risks of flooding, mudslides, power outages, and impaired infrastructure hindering recovery efforts post-storm.
Mexican authorities have cautioned about heavy rainfall expected in Guerrero, Michoacán, Colima, and Jalisco. Simon is projected to bring 10 to 20 inches (25 to 51 centimeters) of rain across parts of southwestern Mexico, with isolated areas in Michoacan, Colima, and Jalisco possibly receiving up to 30 inches (76 centimeters), leading to life-threatening flooding and mudslides, particularly in mountainous terrains.
The NHC has forecasted a storm surge along the coast near and east of the anticipated landfall location of Simon, along with large and destructive waves. Swells generated by the hurricane will impact portions of Mexico’s southwestern and west-central coast in the following days, resulting in hazardous surf and rip current conditions. Simon is expected to be in close proximity to or just inland of Mexico’s west-central Pacific coast by Sunday.
Hurricane Polo, a Category 2 storm, had made landfall on the Baja California Peninsula the previous week, causing tree and utility pole damage, street flooding, and property destruction.
