Hurricane Simon has battered Mexico’s Pacific coastline, threatening popular beach resorts and vulnerable communities with destructive winds, dangerous waves and potentially life-threatening flooding.
The storm weakened from Category 4 to Category 3 on Sunday (Oct 11), but forecasters warned that it remained dangerous as it moved parallel to the west-central coast, with Puerto Vallarta among the areas facing severe weather.
Simon’s maximum sustained winds fell to around 115mph (185km/h), according to the US National Hurricane Center. Its most powerful winds and heaviest rainfall were expected to affect coastal communities and areas near the Sierra Madre mountains.
Puerto Vallarta faces dangerous conditions
Puerto Vallarta, a popular tourist destination in Jalisco state, was preparing for the storm as heavy rain and powerful waves battered the coastline.
Authorities patrolled waterfront areas, urging residents and visitors to seek shelter and stay away from exposed coastal locations. Some people were still seen walking, jogging and cycling near the waterfront despite warnings.
The storm also threatened communities situated inland and uphill from resort areas, where homes may be less able to withstand hurricane-force winds and flooding.
Forecasters warned that hurricane-force winds extended outward from Simon’s centre, while tropical-storm-force winds reached much farther, putting a broad stretch of the coast at risk.
Flooding and mudslides raise fears
Heavy rainfall was among the biggest concerns as Simon moved along Mexico’s west-central coastline.
The National Hurricane Center warned that torrential rain could trigger life-threatening flooding and mudslides, particularly in mountainous areas. Some parts of the states of Michoacan, Colima and Jalisco had been warned of possible rainfall totals reaching 30 inches (76cm).
The storm also threatened to generate a dangerous storm surge and large, destructive waves, even if its centre remained offshore.
In Manzanillo, flooding had already affected homes and streets as the storm brought heavy rain to coastal communities.
Mexican president urges residents to remain indoors
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum urged people in coastal municipalities across Jalisco, Colima, Nayarit and Michoacan to remain sheltered until authorities declared the danger had passed.
Officials issued the highest cyclone alert level for 28 municipalities in Jalisco and Colima, while another 93 municipalities were placed under a high alert.
Authorities also opened emergency shelters and suspended non-essential activities in threatened areas. Precautionary measures were aimed at reducing the risk to residents as the hurricane approached.
A threat to resorts and vulnerable communities
The storm’s impact extends beyond tourism. Mexico’s Pacific coast includes fishing communities, residential areas and important transport and commercial infrastructure that could be affected by flooding, storm surge and wind damage.
Simon follows another recent storm, Hurricane Polo, which affected Mexico’s Baja California Peninsula, adding to concerns during an active Pacific hurricane season.
Forecasters expected Simon to weaken gradually, but warned that dangerous conditions could persist as it moved near the coast.
For residents and travellers in affected areas, authorities have stressed the importance of following official warnings, avoiding flooded roads and staying away from exposed shorelines until conditions improve.
