Published 3 hours ago • loading... • Updated 53 minutes ago
Simon strengthens into a Category 4 hurricane as it approaches Mexico’s coast
Forecasters warned of 10 to 20 inches of rain and life-threatening flooding as Jalisco evacuated dozens of residents from at-risk coastal areas.
On Friday, Hurricane Simon strengthened to a dangerous Category 4 hurricane moving toward Mexico's Pacific coast.
Governor Pablo Lemus suspended classes in 22 Jalisco coastal municipalities on Friday and Monday, while state authorities began evacuating dozens of residents from at-risk areas to shelters.
State director of civil protection Sergio Ram warned "it is highly likely that lives will be lost," while the Embassy issued alerts advising travelers to heed local authorities' warnings.
Forecasters expect 20 to 38 centimeters of rain in southwestern Mexico, with isolated areas receiving up to 63 centimeters; farther north, Tropical Storm Rachel may bring heavy rain to Baja California and Southern California.
A cyclone quickly strengthens and threatens with devastating winds as it approaches the Mexican coast.The weather phenomenon keeps the authorities on alert for its destructive potential in the region.