Hurricane Trudy strengthens to a Category 3 storm off Mexico's Pacific coast

As Hurricane Trudy threatens to intensify and make landfall on Mexico's Jalisco coast, the death toll from Hurricane Rachel has risen to eight, with at least four others still missing. The National Hurricane Center reports that this latest storm system is undergoing rapid intensification, currently located about 300 miles southwest of Acapulco and 445 miles southeast of Manzanillo, Colima.

With maximum sustained winds of 75 mph and gusts up to 93 mph, Trudy is expected to bring heavy rains to Oaxaca and Guerrero today. Forecast models predict the hurricane will become a major force as it approaches the southwestern and west-central Mexican coast this weekend, bringing rainfall of 4 to 8 inches across Colima and Jalisco states.

Meanwhile, the Category 1 Hurricane Simon continues to linger near the Jalisco coast, orbiting in place with sustained winds of 75 mph and gusts of 95 mph. Though the storm's intensity has weakened from a Category 4, its inner core remains near the coast, delivering heavy rain and flooding to areas including Manzanillo, Colima. President Claudia Sheinbaum has activated emergency protection plans and requested support from the Baja California governor, as Simon is anticipated to move towards the peninsula on Saturday.