{
  "id": 13248243,
  "title": "Simon, strengthening rapidly, could hit Jalisco or Colima as a major hurricane this weekend",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/09/simon-strengthening-rapidly-could-hit-jalisco-or-colima-as-a-major",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-09T22:57:17.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Mexico News Daily",
    "slug": "mexico-news-daily",
    "url": "https://mexiconewsdaily.com/news/simon-strengthening-rapidly-hit-jalisco-or-colima-as-major-hurricane-this-weekend/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Hurricane Simon intensified into a Category 2 storm on Friday, prompting authorities to brace for potential landfall in Jalisco or Colima, Mexico. The Pacific storm was projected to evolve into a major hurricane by Friday evening and possibly reach Category 4 strength on Saturday, with winds reaching 230 km/h (145 mph), according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center. By 3 p.m. Mexico City time, the storm boasted maximum sustained winds of 165 km/h (105 mph) and was situated around 315 kilometers south of Manzanillo, Colima, drifting northwest at 4 km/h (2 mph). The storm's eye was anticipated to veer north and potentially traverse Mexico's west-central coast early on Sunday. Tropical storm conditions were projected to persist through Saturday morning, transitioning to hurricane conditions by Saturday evening or Sunday. Simon might become the second hurricane to strike Mexico during the 2021 Pacific season, following Hurricane Polo, which impacted Baja California Sur on September 28 and Sonora on September 29. The storm's exact path remained ambiguous; it could weaken swiftly or dissipate if its core moved inland. Conversely, should its core remain offshore, Simon could persist as a hurricane moving north. A hurricane warning was issued by Mexico's National Water Commission from Punta San Telmo, Michoacán, to Punta Mita, Nayarit, covering roughly 475 kilometers (295 miles) by road. A hurricane watch extended north to San Blas, Nayarit, while a tropical storm watch spanned south to Lázaro Cárdenas, Michoacán. Coastal and inland areas might experience hazardous storm surges, accompanied by powerful waves. Rainfall could trigger life-threatening flooding and mudslides, particularly on steep terrain, with Simon potentially delivering 20 to 38 centimeters (8 to 15 inches) of rain across southwestern Mexico through Sunday, including isolated totals of 64 centimeters (25 inches) in Michoacán, Colima, Jalisco, and Nayarit. Laura Velázquez, Mexico's national civil protection coordinator, announced that authorities would establish command centers in Puerto Vallarta, Cihuatlán, and Manzanillo. Evacuations commenced in El Rebalse, a Jalisco community vulnerable to Marabasco River flooding; 70 residents evacuated independently, and 10 were relocated to a shelter. Schools in 22 Jalisco municipalities suspended classes on Friday and Monday. Meanwhile, Hurricane Isaias, a Category 3 storm, was traversing the Gulf of Mexico, with landfall in the U.S. anticipated on Friday evening; no landfall in Mexico was forecast.",
  "summary": "A hurricane warning is currently in effect from Punta San Telmo, Michoacán, to Punta Mita, Nayarit as the now Category 2 hurricane moves north for an expected landfall in Colima or Jalisco as early as Saturday. The post Simon, strengthening rapidly, could hit Jalisco or Colima as a major hurricane this weekend appeared first on Mexico News Daily",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}