Hurricane Simon Floods Homes and Closes Airports in Mexico

Coastal flooding, airport closures, and precautionary evacuations disrupted communities and tourist destinations along Mexico's Pacific coast on October 11, 2026, as Hurricane Simon moved north-northwest offshore. Mexican authorities urged residents in several states to shelter as the Category 3 storm threatened the coastline with destructive winds, heavy rainfall, and dangerous waves.

The US National Hurricane Center reported at 11 p.m. ET Sunday that Simon was moving at 5 mph with maximum sustained winds of 120 mph. Although earlier forecasts projected a Category 4 landfall, the storm's changing trajectory made its eventual movement less certain, with models divided over whether it would move inland or remain offshore through Monday.

The storm's immediate effects included flooding in Manzanillo and disruptions to air travel. Pacific Airport Group reported that Puerto Vallarta International Airport would remain closed until 10 a.m. ET Monday, while flights at Manzanillo's airport were suspended for the day.

The National Hurricane Center described the storm's position and continuing coastal threat in its Sunday night update.

"Simon moving slowly just offshore of west-central Mexico… threat of destructive winds and flooding rains continues along the coast," the National Hurricane Center said.

Mexico's Civil Protection Agency coordinator, Laura Velázquez Alzúa, warned that the hurricane remained dangerously close to the coastline despite not having made landfall.

"very close to the Mexican coast," Velázquez Alzúa said.

She urged residents to remain alert while authorities monitored the storm's uncertain path and potential impacts on coastal communities.

"We ask that you remain vigilant," Velázquez Alzúa said.

The coordinator identified several hazards expected to continue through Monday, particularly along the northern coast of Jalisco state.

"strong winds, high waves, and storm surge," Velázquez Alzúa said.

Climate scientist Dr. Jorge Zavala of the National Autonomous University of Mexico said the storm's projected trajectory included multiple areas at risk. The uncertainty surrounding its movement complicated preparations across the affected states.

"probable impacts," Dr. Jorge Zavala said.

He emphasized the seriousness of the potential effects as Simon continued moving near the coast.

"Simon concerns us greatly," Dr. Jorge Zavala said.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum urged residents of Jalisco, Colima, Michoacán, and Nayarit to remain sheltered until authorities officially declared the danger over. The Civil Protection Agency also warned that a temporary reduction in wind and rainfall could create a misleading impression that conditions had become safe.

"until an official announcement that the danger has passed," President Claudia Sheinbaum said.

Federal authorities had warned of particularly severe weather conditions across the four states.

"exceptional rainfall," the Civil Protection Agency warned.

The agency also highlighted the expected intensity of the winds.

"intense winds," the Civil Protection Agency warned.

The agency cautioned residents against interpreting a temporary lull in the weather as evidence that the storm had passed.

"The wind and rain will suddenly and deceptively subside, creating an apparent calm that does not mean the danger has passed," the Civil Protection Agency said.

Along the Puerto Vallarta boardwalk, police closed the area and directed tourists to seek shelter, according to the Associated Press. Visitor Brenda Villareal told the news agency that people were still assessing the situation and the potential danger.

"We don't know the extent of the danger yet," visitor Brenda Villareal said.

She described the uncertainty facing visitors as the storm approached the region.

"We're just starting to see what's going on," Brenda Villareal said.

Mexico's Navy deployed more than 4,600 personnel, along with excavation equipment, heavy machinery, and other emergency resources, to support the response. Authorities also continued precautionary evacuations and suspended nonessential activities, Sheinbaum said.

In Manzanillo, naval personnel helped remove water from homes inundated by the storm. Resident Cecilia Palomar told Reuters that water began rising inside her house at dawn, reaching levels beyond those she had previously experienced.

"It had risen before, but not like this," Manzanillo resident Cecilia Palomar said.

She described extensive damage to household belongings as floodwater spread throughout the property.

"Beds, refrigerators, heaters, all the furniture got wet, the whole house is flooded," Palomar said.

Federal authorities were also working to restore electricity in affected areas, including Acapulco in Guerrero state, which suffered devastating damage from Hurricane Otis three years earlier. Simon's continued movement offshore left coastal communities facing ongoing flood and wind risks while officials monitored its uncertain path into Monday.