Hurricane Simon strengthens to Category 4 off Mexico’s Pacific coast

What the report says

Hurricane Simon intensified into a Category 4 storm over the Pacific Ocean off Mexico’s coast, with maximum sustained winds reported at up to 241 km/h (150 mph). According to the US National Hurricane Center, the system was expected to approach or move inland near Mexico’s west-central coast late Saturday or early Sunday, with additional strengthening still possible before landfall.

The storm was forecast to bring heavy rain, destructive winds, dangerous storm surge and large waves to parts of southwestern Mexico. The hurricane center warned that rainfall of 25 to 51 cm could trigger life-threatening flooding and mudslides, especially in steep terrain. The area under hurricane warning included parts of the coast south of Puerto Vallarta, along with the Manzanillo region, while a tropical storm watch covered areas farther south toward Lázaro Cárdenas.

Local authorities in Jalisco state suspended classes in 22 coastal municipalities and began evacuations from at-risk areas. Officials also urged hotels and tourism businesses in Puerto Vallarta to make sure workers and visitors could reach shelters or other safe locations. Businesses in the resort city were shown boarding up windows and placing sandbags at entrances as residents prepared for the storm.

The development matters because the affected coastline includes populated communities and major tourism and port areas, including Manzanillo, Mexico’s largest Pacific port. The article cites Reuters and The Associated Press as sources for the report.