Hurricane Simon nears Mexico’s Pacific coast as Category 4 storm

Hurricane Simon intensified into a Category 4 storm off Mexico’s Pacific coast Saturday, threatening coastal communities with destructive winds, a dangerous storm surge and rainfall that forecasters warned could trigger life-threatening flooding and mudslides.

The U.S. National Hurricane Center said Simon was expected to approach Mexico’s west-central coast as a major hurricane. Forecasts reported by CBS News on Saturday placed its maximum sustained winds at 155 mph, just below the 157 mph threshold for a Category 5 hurricane. Al Jazeera, citing an earlier storm position and wind speed, reported winds of 150 mph and said the center expected Simon to approach or move just inland late Saturday or early Sunday.

The reports also gave different positions for the moving storm. CBS News said Simon was about 65 miles south-southwest of Manzanillo on Saturday, moving north at 5 mph. Al Jazeera reported it about 115 miles south-southwest of the city. Forecasters said Simon could strengthen further before landfall but could weaken rapidly if its core moved fully onshore, according to CBS News.

The hurricane center forecast 10 to 20 inches of rain in parts of southwestern Mexico. CBS News reported that some places in Michoacan, Colima and Jalisco could receive up to 30 inches. “This rainfall will produce life-threatening flooding and mudslides, especially in areas of steep terrain,” the center warned.

The agency also warned of a dangerous storm surge along the immediate coast near and east of the point where Simon makes landfall. Large, destructive waves would accompany it. Al Jazeera reported that a hurricane warning covered parts of the Pacific coast south of the resort city of Puerto Vallarta, including the area around Manzanillo, Mexico’s largest Pacific port. A tropical storm watch was in effect farther south toward Lazaro Cardenas.

“Preparations to protect life and property should be rushed to completion in the hurricane warning area before conditions deteriorate later tonight,” the hurricane center said in a warning reported by CBS News.

Jalisco authorities began evacuating people from at-risk areas and suspended classes in 22 coastal municipalities. CBS News reported a Monday suspension; Al Jazeera reported suspensions on Friday and Monday. Officials also urged tourism businesses in Puerto Vallarta to make sure workers and visitors could reach shelters or other safe places.

Businesses in Puerto Vallarta boarded up windows, while some put sandbags at entrances, Al Jazeera reported. Jesús Gómez, who was handing out samples of candied peanuts outside a shop, told CBS News he would keep working until Civil Protection officials directed him to close. “Let’s hope it doesn’t hit us,” he said.

Canadian tourist Ed Currie told CBS News he and his wife planned to remain at their hotel. “I just don’t know what to expect,” he said.