MIAMI (AP) — Simon reinforced into a powerful Category 4 hurricane as it heads toward the Mexican coast.
The National Hurricane Center in Miami said Saturday morning that Simon’s maximum sustained winds had increased to 150 mph (240 kph). A storm of this strength or greater is considered a major hurricane. Simon could bring up to 10 to 20 inches of rain to parts of southwest Mexico, with some areas receiving up to 30 inches, the center said.
The bulletin also urges residents to take immediate steps to prepare, saying the hurricane will make landfall early Sunday, but tropical storm-force winds could arrive much sooner.
Simon is expected to bring heavy rain to parts of southwest Mexico, likely concentrated along the coast of Jalisco and parts of Michoacan, Colima and Nayarit.
“This rainfall will cause potentially life-threatening flooding and mudslides, particularly in areas of steep terrain,” the NHC said.
Jalisco suspended classes Friday and Monday in 22 coastal municipalities and began evacuating dozens of people from risk areas. He also asked the tourism sector in Puerto Vallarta, a popular destination for U.S. tourists, to ensure workers and visitors are fully housed in shelters or safe areas by Friday afternoon.
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