Hurricane Simon Makes Landfall on Mexico's Pacific Coast

Hurricane Simon made landfall on Mexico's Pacific coast Sunday as a Category 3 storm, with its powerful winds and heavy rains threatening resorts and vulnerable towns, including the popular tourist destination of Puerto Vallarta. The storm's center churned parallel to the coast, bringing its most damaging elements ashore.

As of Sunday afternoon, the hurricane's maximum sustained winds had weakened to 120 mph, according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami. However, it remained a dangerous storm. The center of Simon was moving northwest about 45 miles south of Cabo Corrientes at approximately 5 mph.

Forecasters warned that hurricane-force winds extended up to 15 miles from the storm's center, and tropical-storm-force winds reached up to 60 miles. This means the entire region between Mexico's western coast and the Sierra Madre mountains could experience significant impacts. Philippe Papin, a senior hurricane center specialist, noted that the westernmost tip of mainland Mexico was the most likely area to experience a direct hit.

Life-threatening storm surge and catastrophic wind impacts were anticipated along the west-central coast of Mexico, where a hurricane warning was in effect. Heavy rainfall was also expected to produce life-threatening flooding and mudslides, particularly in higher terrain.

The National Hurricane Center projected that Simon would bring an additional 2 to 4 inches of rain to the states of Colima, Jalisco, Nayarit, and Sinaloa through early Thursday. Isolated storm totals could reach up to 30 inches in parts of Michoacan, Colima, and Jalisco, exacerbating existing flooding and posing a severe risk in steep areas.

In response to the approaching storm, Jalisco state suspended classes on Friday and Monday in 22 coastal municipalities and initiated evacuations from at-risk zones. The tourism sector was urged to ensure guests were accommodated in shelters or safe locations.

President Claudia Sheinbaum of Mexico took to social media to advise residents in Jalisco, Colima, Nayarit, and Michoacan to remain sheltered until authorities declared the danger had passed. She emphasized the ongoing precautionary evacuations and the prioritization of safety, urging citizens to follow civil protection guidelines and avoid unnecessary travel.

Despite official warnings, some residents and tourists remained in vulnerable areas. Hotel worker Víctor Martínez was shopping for supplies as public transportation had been suspended and his hotel had largely been evacuated. He recalled a powerful Category 5 hurricane in 2002, noting that residents were now more prepared due to past experiences.

Tourists Ricardo Ramírez and Brenda Villarreal, who had never experienced a hurricane, found themselves near the boardwalk as police urged people to seek shelter. They had planned their trip months in advance and were still assessing the extent of the danger.