Hurricane Simon slammed Mexico’s Pacific coastline on Sunday as a powerful Category 4 storm, with its eye staying just off the shore while impacting residents between the Sierra Madre mountain range and the ocean. The center of the hurricane moved in parallel to the coast, nearing the Puerto Vallarta region, where the most severe winds and rainfall were anticipated to hit overnight and persist into Monday morning.
Although Simon’s sustained winds decreased to 185 kilometers per hour by late Sunday, as reported by the U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami, it continued to pose a significant threat. This posed a particular concern for those in the Puerto Vallarta area, a favored spot for Canadian tourists, where many local communities, situated slightly inland from the resort regions, may not have structures capable of withstanding the storm.
By Sunday evening, Simon’s eye was tracking northwest about 75 kilometers south of Cabo Corrientes at a speed of approximately seven kilometers per hour. Philippe Papin, a senior specialist at the hurricane center, highlighted that this area at the westernmost tip of mainland Mexico was most likely to face a direct impact from the system. Cabo Corrientes, located at the southern end of Bahia de Banderas, the bay overlooking the Pacific where Puerto Vallarta stands, was particularly at risk.
Papin warned of potential catastrophic consequences, including life-threatening storm surges and powerful winds, along the west-central coast of Mexico where the hurricane warning was enforced. The region was also expected to experience heavy rainfall leading to hazardous flooding and mudslides in elevated terrains along the Mexican coast, in addition to substantial waves.
The trajectory of Simon’s landfall remained uncertain, with Papin acknowledging the challenge in predicting it as the eye was currently moving in close proximity or parallel to the coast. Meanwhile, the hurricane was causing heavy rainfall in southwestern Mexico, with significant amounts anticipated in various areas, particularly in Michoacan, Colima, and Jalisco states, where the risk of flooding and mudslides was high.
As Puerto Vallarta braced for the impact, the local authorities took measures to safeguard the population, including suspending classes in coastal municipalities and initiating the evacuation of vulnerable areas. Businesses prepared for the storm by boarding up their premises ahead of the expected severe weather conditions. The National Guard patrolled the streets, urging people to seek shelter, while some residents and visitors disregarded the warnings.
The National Hurricane Center issued warnings about the likelihood of a dangerous storm surge near the coast, emphasizing the potential for large and destructive waves accompanying the surge. Despite the impending threat, Canadian tourist Ed Currie expressed optimism about continuing his vacation plans in Puerto Vallarta, with a plan to observe the situation from the safety of his hotel room.
Overall, Hurricane Simon’s impact on Mexico’s Pacific coast remained a significant concern due to the potential for damaging winds, heavy rainfall, and life-threatening conditions, prompting authorities and residents to take necessary precautions.