Environment & Climate
Hurricane Simon reportedly reaches Category 4 as it nears Mexico's Pacific coast
Forecasters warn of life-threatening flooding as Jalisco reportedly suspends classes and begins evacuations.
The short version
- Hurricane Simon was forecast on Friday to strengthen rapidly as it approached Mexico's Pacific coast.[Associated Press]
- A later report says Simon reached Category 4 strength early Saturday, with 145 mph winds, per the National Hurricane Center.[ABC News]
- Jalisco state reportedly suspended classes in 22 coastal municipalities and began evacuating dozens of people.[ABC News · Associated Press]
- Forecasters warn of life-threatening flooding and mudslides, while reported rainfall totals differ between sources.[ABC News · Associated Press]
Key facts
- Early Friday, Simon had maximum sustained winds of 145 kph (90 mph) and was moving northwest at 7 kph (5 mph), according to the National Hurricane Center.[Associated Press]
- Early Saturday, the National Hurricane Center reported Simon's maximum sustained winds rose to 145 mph (230 kph).[ABC News]
- U.S. forecasters projected 20 to 38 cm (8 to 15 inches) of rain in southwestern Mexico, with isolated totals up to 63 cm (25 inches).[Associated Press]
- A later National Hurricane Center forecast cited 10 to 20 inches of rain in parts of southwestern Mexico, with some areas up to 30 inches.[ABC News]
- Jalisco state suspended classes on Friday and Monday in 22 coastal municipalities and began evacuating dozens of people.[ABC News]
- Authorities urged Puerto Vallarta's tourism sector to shelter workers and visitors by Friday afternoon.[ABC News]
What remains uncertain
- Rainfall forecasts differ between reports: one cites 8 to 15 inches and another 10 to 20 inches, and the totals remain unresolved.[ABC News · Associated Press]
- The Category 4 status appears in one later report, while the earlier AP report only forecast that strengthening was expected.[ABC News · Associated Press]
Sources
Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.
- Hurricane Simon forecast to get much stronger as it heads to Mexico’s Pacific coastAssociated Press · Wire: associated-press
- Simon strengthens into a Category 4 hurricane as it approaches Mexico's coastABC News - US News · Wire: associated-press
- Simon strengthens into a Category 4 hurricane as it approaches Mexico’s coastAssociated Press
- Hurricane Simon strengthens to Category 4 off Mexico’s Pacific coastAl Jazeera
- Hurricane Simon strengthens into Category 4 storm as it takes aim at MexicoCBS News - World
- A ferocious Hurricane Simon nears Mexico with 155 mph winds and flooding fearsAssociated Press
- Hurricane Simon nears Mexico with 155 mph winds and flooding fearsNPR - Top News
- Mexican president urges residents to shelter as Hurricane Simon approachesAl Jazeera
- Hurricane Simon hits Mexico's Pacific coast with damaging winds and rainPBS NewsHour - World
- Hurricane Simon pounds resorts and vulnerable towns along Mexico’s Pacific coastABC News - US News
- Hurricane Simon batters Mexico's Pacific CoastDeutsche Welle
- Hurricane Simon pounds resorts and vulnerable towns along Mexico’s Pacific coastABC News - International
- Two deaths reported as Hurricane Simon, storm Rachel batter Mexico’s coastAl Jazeera
- Hurricane Simon and Tropical Storm Rachel kill five people on Mexico’s Pacific coastThe Guardian - World
- Hurricane Simon hitting western Mexico after tropical systems kill 5CBS News - Top Stories
- Death toll rises to 6 as Hurricane Simon and Rachel remnants unleash floods in MexicoABC News - International
- Death toll rises to 6 as Hurricane Simon and Rachel remnants unleash floods in MexicoAssociated Press
- Hurricane Simon hits Mexico after storms kill 6CBS News - World