Hurricane Simon was approaching Mexico's west-central Pacific coast with maximum sustained winds of 155 mph (250 km/h) on Sunday, October 11, as authorities evacuated vulnerable communities and suspended classes in parts of Jalisco.
The National Hurricane Center's 09:00 UTC update, reproduced on NOAA's storm-monitoring page, placed the center at 18.7 degrees north and 105.2 degrees west, moving north-northwest at 6 mph. It described the eyewall as very near the coast.
Danger extends beyond the storm's center
Simon remained a Category 4 hurricane, according to the NHC's overnight public advisory. Forecasters expected the storm to approach the coast as a major hurricane on Sunday, with possible fluctuations in strength and rapid weakening if its core moved fully inland.
That forecast is not confirmation of landfall. The official update reviewed for this report still placed the center offshore.
The NHC warned of 10 to 20 inches of rain across parts of southwestern Mexico, with isolated totals reaching 30 inches in Michoacan, Colima and Jalisco. Flooding and mudslides could be life-threatening, particularly in steep terrain. A dangerous storm surge and destructive waves were also forecast near and east of any landfall.
Hurricane warnings covered Punta San Telmo to El Roblito and the Islas Marias. A tropical storm watch extended east of Punta San Telmo to Lazaro Cardenas.
Evacuations and school closures
The Associated Press reported that Jalisco suspended classes on Friday and Monday in 22 coastal municipalities and began evacuating people from at-risk areas. Tourism operators in Puerto Vallarta were asked to ensure workers and visitors could use shelters or safe zones.
El Pais reported maximum civil-protection alerts in 28 municipalities, including 22 in Jalisco and six in Colima. It also reported that Puerto Vallarta airport announced a closure from Saturday afternoon until Monday morning. The announced end of that closure does not guarantee flights will resume on time.
Reuters' reporting from Saturday described beach closures, warning flags and precautionary evacuations in parts of Cihuatlan, near Manzanillo. These were preparations for the storm, not a final assessment of its effects.
Satellite view and verified video
The accompanying NOAA GOES-West image shows Simon at 10:10 UTC on October 11. Its enhanced infrared colors illustrate cloud-top conditions; it is satellite imagery, not a photograph of damage on the ground.
AP's linked report includes original video by Martin Silva Rey showing residents and businesses preparing in Puerto Vallarta on Saturday. That footage documents preparations before the expected coastal impact.