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The National Hurricane Center in Miami said early Saturday
Simon’s maximum sustained winds increased to 145 mph (230 kph).
A storm of that strength or greater is considered a major
hurricane. Simon could bring as much as 10 to 20 inches (25-50
cm) of rain over parts of southwestern Mexico, with some areas
receiving up to 30 inches, the center said.
The bulletin also urged residents to take immediate action to
prepare, saying the hurricane will make landfall late Saturday
or early Sunday, but tropical storm-strength winds could arrive
much sooner.
Simon is expected to bring heavy rainfall to parts of
southwestern Mexico, possibly concentrated along Jalisco’s coast
and in parts of Michoacan, Colima and Nayarit.
“This rainfall will produce life-threatening flooding and
mudslides, especially in areas of steep terrain,” the NHC said.
Jalisco suspended classes on Friday and Monday in 22 coastal
municipalities and began evacuating dozens of people from
at-risk areas. It also asked the tourism sector in Puerto
Vallarta, a popular destination for U.S. tourists, to ensure
that both workers and visitors are fully accommodated in
shelters or safe zones by Friday afternoon.
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