Hurricane Simon intensifies to Category 4 as it heads for Mexico’s Pacific coast

Hurricane Simon has strengthened into a powerful Category 4 storm as it moves toward Mexico’s Pacific coastline, according to the National Hurricane Center (NHC). On Saturday, the Miami-based center reported that maximum sustained winds increased to 155 mph. Just shy of the Category 5 threshold, which requires winds of 157 mph, Simon is expected to approach Mexico’s west-central coast by Sunday as a major hurricane.

The NHC warned that the storm could weaken rapidly once its core moves fully onshore during landfall. Forecasters anticipate rainfall totals of 10 to 20 inches across parts of southwestern Mexico, with localized areas in the states of Michoacán, Colima, and Jalisco potentially receiving up to 30 inches. This deluge is expected to trigger life-threatening flash flooding and mudslides, particularly in mountainous regions.

“This rainfall will produce life-threatening flooding and mudslides, especially in areas of steep terrain,” the center stated in a bulletin, urging residents to take immediate action as tropical storm conditions began arriving Saturday afternoon. As of Saturday night, Simon was located approximately 65 miles south-southwest of Manzanillo, moving slowly northward at 5 mph. Authorities advised completing preparations before conditions deteriorate later that evening.

In response to the threat, Jalisco state authorities suspended classes on Monday across 22 coastal municipalities and initiated evacuations from vulnerable zones. Officials also requested that the tourism sector in Puerto Vallarta ensure workers and visitors were safely accommodated in shelters or designated safe zones by Friday afternoon. In the popular tourist destination, businesses such as hotels and convenience stores were seen boarding up windows on Saturday morning under overcast skies.

Locals expressed a mix of caution and resignation. “Let’s hope it doesn’t hit us, right? That it doesn’t affect us,” said Jesús Gómez, who was distributing free samples of candied peanuts outside his shop. “We’ll be working as usual throughout the day, but when Civil Protection officials come and tell us we need to close, then we’ll close and take shelter until the storm passes.”

The NHC also cautioned about dangerous storm surges along the immediate coast near and east of landfall, warning that large, destructive waves would accompany the surge. Meanwhile, Canadian visitor Ed Currie, who is staying in Puerto Vallarta for another five days, said the hurricane had not yet altered his plans. “Just stay in the hotel and look out the window hopefully,” he said.

The situation stands in contrast to the Atlantic basin, which recently experienced only its first named hurricane of the season, Isaias. The Pacific season, however, has been highly active. Simon follows Tropical Storm Polo, which made landfall in Mexico last week as a Category 2 hurricane before moving into the southwestern United States and causing significant flooding.