Hurricane Simon Strengthens to Category 4, Threatens Mexico's Pacific Coast

Hurricane Simon intensified to Category 4 early Saturday, located 195 kilometers south-southwest of Manzanillo, Colima, with maximum sustained winds of 240 km/h and gusts reaching 290 km/h. The storm is moving north at 7 km/h and is expected to make landfall between Jalisco and Colima.

President Claudia Sheinbaum confirmed the upgrade from Category 3 and activated the DN-III-E and Marina emergency plans. Federal brigades from CFE, SICT, Conagua, and Pemex are on standby, while authorities urge residents in vulnerable zones to evacuate to temporary shelters.

“We urge the population to stay informed through official channels. It is important to seek shelter and, in the case of vulnerable areas, evacuate to the temporary shelters enabled.”

In Jalisco, 261 people have been preventively evacuated and 13 shelters with capacity for 1,900 people have been readied. Colima has closed beaches, opened five shelters, and deployed over 1,500 emergency personnel. Three command posts operate in Puerto Vallarta, Cihuatlán, and Manzanillo.

The National Meteorological Service forecasts extraordinary rainfall exceeding 250 mm in Colima, torrential rains in coastal Jalisco and Michoacán, and very strong rains in southern Nayarit and southwestern Guerrero. Dangerous storm surge and waves up to 4.5 meters threaten the coast.

A hurricane warning zone extends from Punta San Telmo, Michoacán, to Punta Mita and El Roblito in Nayarit, including the Islas Marías. A tropical storm watch covers Punta San Telmo to Lázaro Cárdenas. Authorities warn of flash floods, landslides, and river overflows.