Hurricane Simon skirts Mexico’s Pacific coast as beachside communities and tourist areas prepare for impacts: news
12-10-2026
Hurricane Simon Skirts Mexico’s Pacific Coast: Beachside Resorts and Communities Brace for Severe Impacts
Hurricane Simon strengthened into an intense Category 4 system off Mexico’s southwest Pacific coast, tracking near shorelines and prompting widespread emergency preparations across coastal towns and major tourist hubs. With sustained winds topping 150 mph (240 km/h), the storm remained close to land between the Sierra Madre mountain range and the Pacific Ocean, posing significant threats of catastrophic storm surge, torrential rainfall, and flash flooding.
Key Coastal and Tourist Destinations on High Alert
Puerto Vallarta and Jalisco: Popular resort corridors, including Puerto Vallarta, suspended normal operations as the storm skirted the region. The Pacific Airport Group (GAP) grounded flights and closed the Puerto Vallarta international airport, while beachfront businesses boarded up storefronts and halted seaside activities.
Manzanillo and Colima: Port authorities and emergency responders mobilized in Manzanillo, where heavy bands of rain overwhelmed drainage systems, flooded residential streets, and prompted flight cancellations.
Cabo Corrientes: Meteorological forecasters at the U.S. National Hurricane Center identified Cabo Corrientes as an area at heightened risk for severe outer-eyewall winds and life-threatening surf.
Emergency Mobilization and Local Preparations
Military and Civil Defense Deployment: The Mexican Navy deployed over 4,600 personnel alongside heavy machinery, excavation vehicles, and emergency water-pumping equipment to assist vulnerable low-lying neighborhoods.
Evacuations and Shelters: Local civil protection agencies opened emergency shelters inland, urging residents living near riverbanks and unstable hillsides to evacuate due to severe mudslide hazards.
Utility and Infrastructure Readiness: Utility crews were placed on standby to repair local power outages and clear debris from coastal highways connecting tourist centers with regional hubs.
Forecast and Ongoing Hazards
Forecasters warn that southwestern Mexican statesincluding Jalisco, Colima, and Michoacáncould see rainfall accumulations reaching 10 to 20 inches (25 to 50 cm), with isolated mountain peaks receiving up to 30 inches (76 cm). Officials continue to advise tourists and residents to avoid coastal waters, follow local civil protection advisories, and stay clear of flood-prone roadways until the storm tracks away from mainland Mexico.