Hurricane Simon has intensified into a formidable Category 4 hurricane off the Pacific coast of Mexico, posing a threat of destructive winds, storm surges, and potentially fatal flooding as it moves closer to making landfall. The U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC) reported that Simon was situated approximately 185 kilometers south-southwest of Manzanillo on Saturday morning, with sustained winds reaching 240 km/h while heading northward.
Simon is forecasted to reach the west-central coast of Mexico as a major hurricane late Saturday or early Sunday, with the possibility of further strengthening before reaching land, according to the NHC. A hurricane warning has been issued for parts of Mexico’s Pacific coast below Puerto Vallarta, including the vicinity of Manzanillo, the largest Pacific port in Mexico. Meanwhile, a tropical storm watch is in effect for areas further south towards Lázaro Cárdenas.
Residents within the warning zone, including the offshore Islas Marías archipelago, are advised by the NHC to expedite preparations to safeguard lives and property. The rapid intensification of Simon has raised concerns, with meteorologist Dan Pydynowski from AccuWeather highlighting the potential dangers posed by strong winds damaging infrastructure and causing flooding and mudslides, which could impede emergency response efforts and lead to power outages and infrastructure damage affecting recovery post-storm.
Mexican authorities have cautioned of heavy rainfall anticipated in Guerrero, Michoacán, Colima, and Jalisco. Simon is expected to bring 10 to 20 inches (25 to 51 centimeters) of rain across southwestern Mexico by Sunday, with localized totals possibly reaching up to 30 inches (76 centimeters) in certain areas, heightening the risk of life-threatening flooding and mudslides, particularly in mountainous regions.
The NHC has highlighted the likelihood of a storm surge along the coast near and east of the expected landfall location, accompanied by large and destructive waves. Swells generated by Simon are projected to impact parts of Mexico’s southwestern and west-central coast in the following days, resulting in hazardous surf and rip current conditions. Simon is predicted to be close to or just inland of Mexico’s west-central Pacific coast by Sunday.
In the previous week, Hurricane Polo struck the Baja California Peninsula as a Category 2 storm, causing damage such as fallen trees, flooded streets, and property destruction.