Hurricane Simon has strengthened into a dangerous Category 4 storm off Mexico's Pacific coast, with winds reaching 241 km/h (150 mph), threatening to bring destructive winds, storm surge and life-threatening flooding to southwestern Mexico.
The US National Hurricane Center (NHC) said Simon is expected to approach or make a short landfall along Mexico's west-central coast late Saturday or early Sunday. At the time, the storm was about 185 km south-southwest of Manzanillo and could strengthen further before landfall.
According to the NHC, the storm could dump 25 to 51 cm of rain on parts of southwestern Mexico through Sunday.
"This rainfall will cause life-threatening flooding and landslides, especially in steep terrain," the agency warned, urging residents to complete preparations to protect life and property.
Authorities have issued a hurricane warning for stretches 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 warning is also in effect farther south, toward Lazaro Cardenas.
The state of Jalisco has suspended classes on Friday and Monday in 22 coastal municipalities and begun evacuating residents from at-risk areas. Officials have also called on hotels and other tourism businesses in Puerto Vallarta to ensure staff and guests can reach shelters or safe locations.
In the popular tourist destination, businesses have boarded up windows and placed sandbags at entrances as the storm approaches.
The hurricane center also warned of a dangerous storm surge and large, destructive waves near where Simon makes landfall.
