Hurricane Simon has strengthened into a Category 4 storm on the Pacific shore of Mexico, with winds reaching up to 241km/h (150mph). It threatens destructive winds, storm surges and deadly flooding across the southwestern part of the country.
The US National Hurricane Center said Simon could approach or pass just inland of the west-central coast late on Saturday or early Sunday. At the time, the storm was about 185km (115 miles) south-southwest of Manzanillo, and it may strengthen further before landfall.
Heavy rain and flooding threaten southwestern Mexico
Rainfall of 25 to 51cm (10 to 20 inches) could fall on parts of the region through Sunday. The agency warned that this rain could cause life-threatening floods and mudslides, particularly on steep slopes, and urged residents to finish their preparations.
Authorities have issued a hurricane warning for a stretch of Pacific coast south of Puerto Vallarta, including the Manzanillo area and the country’s largest Pacific port. A tropical storm watch is also in place further south, toward Lazaro Cardenas.
Schools close and evacuations begin in Jalisco
Jalisco state suspended classes on Friday and Monday in 22 coastal municipalities and started moving people out of at-risk zones. Officials also asked hotels and other tourism operators in Puerto Vallarta to make sure staff and guests could reach shelters or other safe locations.
In the popular resort, businesses boarded up their windows and placed sandbags at entrances as the storm approached. The hurricane center also warned of a dangerous storm surge and large, destructive waves near the point where Simon is expected to come ashore.
