Hurricane Simon Nears Landfall in Jalisco: 155-mph Category 4 Storm Approaches Manzanillo, 22 Municipalities Suspend Classes
Hurricane Simon is closing in on Mexico's Pacific coast and is expected to make landfall Sunday morning. According to the U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC) advisory issued early Sunday (Central Time), Simon packed maximum sustained winds of 155 mph (about 250 km/h) with a minimum central pressure of 928 millibars, a Category 4 hurricane; its center was about 60 miles southwest of Manzanillo, moving north at 5 mph. As of that advisory, Simon had not made landfall.
The NHC expects Simon to make landfall or skirt the coast Sunday morning between La Huerta and Tomatlán in the state of Jalisco (per Particle News citing the NHC forecast). Weather.com reports Simon will strike Jalisco at Category 4 intensity, with the storm's core passing near Puerto Vallarta later in the day — potentially the strongest storm to hit Puerto Vallarta since Hurricane Lidia in October 2023. The NHC warns that catastrophic winds and life-threatening storm surge are possible along parts of Mexico's west-central coast.
A hurricane warning covers the coast from Punta San Telmo to El Roblito, including the Islas Marías archipelago; a tropical storm watch is in effect from east of Punta San Telmo to Lázaro Cárdenas.
Mexican authorities are on full alert. The Associated Press reports that the state of Jalisco suspended classes in 22 coastal municipalities and began evacuating vulnerable areas; the federal government activated the Navy's Plan Marina emergency protocol, closing or restricting navigation at multiple ports. Particle News reports maritime rescue teams preventively moved about 80 residents and nine pets from coastal villages including Yelapa and Quimixto to temporary shelters.
Rainfall is another major threat. The NHC forecasts 10 to 20 inches (25 to 50 cm) across southwestern Mexico, with isolated totals up to 30 inches (76 cm) in Michoacán, Colima and Jalisco, capable of producing life-threatening flash flooding and mudslides, especially in steep terrain. Storm surge and large destructive waves are expected near and east of the landfall point, and tornadoes are possible along the coast.
GSM previously reported that Simon strengthened to Category 4 on Saturday. The NHC urges residents in the hurricane warning area to complete protective preparations immediately and follow local emergency instructions. (Sources: U.S. National Hurricane Center, Associated Press, weather.com)
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 飓风西蒙10月10日卫星云图，公有领域 / NASA Aqua MODIS（Wikimedia Commons）
