Hurricane Simon intensified to a Category 4 storm as it struck the Pacific coast of Mexico on Sunday. The eye of the storm hovered just offshore, unleashing its strongest winds and heavy rainfall on communities nestled between the Sierra Madre mountains and the coastline.
While Simon’s path moved northward along the coast, experts from the U.S. National Hurricane Center were uncertain if the storm would make direct landfall. This uncertainty raised concerns about Simon maintaining its dangerous intensity, with sustained winds reaching speeds of up to 240 kilometers per hour.
Residents in the Puerto Vallarta region, a favored spot for American tourists, faced the brunt of the approaching storm. The proximity of many Mexican communities to the resort areas raised worries about the structural integrity of their dwellings in the face of the impending storm.
As dawn broke, Simon was positioned approximately 175 kilometers south-southeast of Cabo Corrientes, inching north-northwest at a sluggish pace of nine kilometers per hour. Meteorologist Phillippe Pappin of the Hurricane Center highlighted Cabo Corrientes as the most probable location for Simon’s landfall.
Pappin emphasized the imminent threat posed by Simon, stating, “Catastrophic wind and life-threatening storm surge impacts are expected along the west central coast of Mexico under the current hurricane warning.” Moreover, heavy rainfall accompanying the storm could trigger severe flooding and mudslides in elevated terrain areas along the Mexican coastline, leading to significant risks.
The relentless downpour from Simon extended across southwestern Mexico, with anticipated rainfall ranging from 25 to 50 centimeters in many regions. Particularly vulnerable states such as Michoacan, Colima, and Jalisco could face up to 76 centimeters of rainfall, heightening the potential for life-threatening flooding and mudslides in rugged terrains.
Jalisco state authorities preemptively suspended classes in 22 coastal municipalities and initiated evacuation measures for high-risk zones. Businesses in Puerto Vallarta took precautionary measures by securing their premises ahead of the approaching severe weather conditions.
The Hurricane Center cautioned about an impending dangerous storm surge near the coast, especially in areas close to the anticipated landfall point. Alongside the surge, the agency warned of large, destructive waves that could accompany the storm’s impact on the coast.
Despite the looming threat, Canadian tourist Ed Currie, enjoying a vacation with his wife in Puerto Vallarta, remained optimistic about their plans. He expressed uncertainty about the storm’s impact but intended to stay indoors and observe the situation from their hotel.
