Hurricane Simon moved along Mexico’s Pacific coast as a Category 3 storm on Sunday, October 11, bringing heavy rain and wind to areas between the Sierra Madre mountains and the shore. Although the eye of the storm remained just offshore, the U.S. National Hurricane Center reported maximum sustained winds reached 115 mph. By Monday morning, the storm weakened to a Category 2 hurricane as it swirled approximately 80 miles west of Cabo Corrientes, moving northwest at 3 mph.
Forecasters from the National Hurricane Center warned that Simon could re-intensify and is expected to remain a hurricane through midweek. The storm is projected to change direction and approach the west-central coast of Mexico on Wednesday or Thursday. Officials issued a hurricane warning for Las Islas Marias and a hurricane watch from Cabo Corrientes to Bahia Tempehuaya. Philippe Papin, a senior hurricane center specialist, identified the westernmost tip of mainland Mexico as the most likely area for a direct land impact.
In Puerto Vallarta, the Jalisco state government suspended school classes in 22 coastal municipalities and initiated evacuations in at-risk zones. The National Guard and local police patrolled waterfront areas to enforce closures and urge residents to seek shelter. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum posted on social media urging residents in Jalisco, Colima, Nayarit, and Michoacán to remain sheltered until the government confirms the danger has passed. Public transportation was suspended in some areas, and a hotel worker reported that many tourist facilities had been evacuated.
The scale of the impact includes projected rainfall totals of 2 to 4 inches generally, with isolated areas in Michoacán, Colima, and Jalisco potentially receiving up to 30 inches of rain. This level of precipitation—which can exceed two feet of water in certain locations—is expected to cause life-threatening flooding and mudslides in steep terrain through early Thursday. Additionally, the U.S. Southern Plains may see 3 to 5 inches of rain from Tuesday afternoon through Friday morning as the system moves north.
Day-to-day life for many residents and visitors was marked by the suspension of schools and public transit, the closure of public boardwalks, and the presence of military patrols. The storm follows Hurricane Polo, which affected the region the previous week. Local authorities have not yet reported a date for the resumption of normal services, as they await the storm's inland movement scheduled for Wednesday or Thursday.