Hurricane Simon Threatens Mexico Pacific Coast Tourist Region

Hurricane Simon strengthened off Mexico's Pacific coast and threatened the tourist region between Manzanillo and Puerto Vallarta, where authorities prepared emergency measures as the storm moved northwest toward a possible Sunday landfall.

The National Hurricane Center said Simon was about 195 miles (315 km) south of Manzanillo in the afternoon. Forecasters warned the system could produce life-threatening flooding and mudslides across Michoacan, Colima, Jalisco and Nayarit.

According to forecasts, isolated rainfall totals could reach 30 inches (762 mm) in parts of the affected states. Mexican authorities also warned of heavy rainfall in Guerrero, Michoacan, Colima and Jalisco.

In Manzanillo, fishermen removed boats from the beach while authorities placed black flags along the coast to indicate beach closures. The Mexican Navy activated emergency response personnel in Colima and restricted maritime traffic in parts of the Pacific coast.

Smaller vessels were barred from operating in some areas, and larger vessels faced restrictions in Michoacan, according to the Mexican Navy's emergency actions. Puerto Vallarta, a beach destination with nearly 300,000 residents, was among areas at risk from the storm's approach.

AccuWeather senior meteorologist Tyler Roys said Simon could bring a major impact to the region compared with recent storms.

"Simon could deliver the most significant hurricane impact to this stretch of the Mexican Pacific coast since Lidia in 2023, which damaged thousands of homes and devastated crops along the Jalisco coast," said Tyler Roys, a senior meteorologist at AccuWeather.

Last week, Hurricane Polo reached the Baja California Peninsula as a Category 2 storm, causing fallen trees and utility poles, flooded streets and other property damage, according to the report.