Hurricane Simón strengthens as it approaches Mexico

Hurricane Simón strengthened over the Pacific on Thursday, October 8, as forecasters warned it could rapidly intensify before approaching Mexico’s southwest and west-central coast. The National Hurricane Center forecast the storm could reach Category 4 strength before reaching the coast, but its track and eventual intensity remained uncertain. The reports available Friday did not establish that Simón had made landfall. By Thursday evening, Simón’s maximum sustained winds were near 75 mph (120 km/h), according to National Hurricane Center advisory information. The storm was south of Manzanillo and moving west or west-northwest. Forecasters expected it to turn northward as it approached the coast, with the center’s forecast placing that approach on Saturday, October 10. The National Hurricane Center forecast 8 to 15 inches of rain through Sunday in parts of southwestern Mexico. Isolated totals of 15 to 25 inches were possible in Michoacán, Colima and Jalisco. The agency warned that heavy rain could cause life-threatening flooding and mudslides, particularly in steep terrain. Storm surge, large waves, hazardous surf and rip currents were also forecast along parts of the coast.