Hurricane Simon approached the Pacific coasts of Mexico on Sunday with strong winds and heavy rains, and despite a decrease in strength, it became a Category 3 storm. The storm was moving parallel to the coastline and was expected to get closer to the western and central coasts of Mexico by night.
Alert Status in Municipalities
Mexican authorities placed 28 municipalities in the states of Jalisco and Colima under the highest storm alert level. Additionally, 93 other municipalities are under high alert. The storm center has approached the area of Puerto Vallarta, where dangerous winds and rains are expected to arrive late at night and early Monday morning.
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Impact of the Storm on Residents
Puerto Vallarta, a popular tourist destination in Jalisco, also has residential communities that may be vulnerable to this storm, in addition to hotels and resorts. Experts believe that the area between the western coasts of Mexico and the Sierra Madre mountains may be affected by the storm.
Philip Papin, a senior expert at the National Hurricane Center, stated: "We expect dangerous winds and severe storms along the western and central coasts of Mexico, where a storm warning is in effect." Heavy rainfall associated with the storm could lead to dangerous flooding and landslides in elevated areas along the coast of Mexico.
Relief Efforts and Preventive Measures
In Manzanillo, residents were walking through flooded streets on Sunday morning while military forces were helping to rescue residents from the previous night's rains. Cecilia Palmar, one resident, said: "All my belongings are wet, and my house is filled with water. My mother doesn't want to leave, and despite being taken to her brother's house in a higher location, she doesn't want to be away from her home."
Puerto Vallarta International Airport was temporarily closed, and authorities halted non-essential activities. Additionally, emergency shelters have been set up in coastal communities at risk.
Claudia Sheinbaum, the President of Mexico, urged residents of coastal communities in Jalisco, Colima, Nayarit, and Michoacán to stay home to prevent the dangers of the storm.
Hurricane Simon occurred just days after Hurricane Polo, which struck the Baja California Peninsula as a Category 2 storm. Hurricane Polo also caused power outages and flooding in the streets.
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