Puerto Vallarta boards up as Hurricane Simon hits Category 4 strength - The Seattle Times
Hurricane Simon has intensified into a Category 4 storm, prompting evacuations and emergency preparations along Mexico's west-central coast. Officials have warned of life-threatening flooding and mudslides as the storm approaches.
Why it matters
Major hurricanes pose significant risks to human life and tourism-dependent economies in coastal regions.
PUERTO VALLARTA, Mexico (AP) — Simon has strengthened into a powerful Category 4 hurricane as it barrels toward Mexico’s coast.
The National Hurricane Center in Miami said Saturday that Simon’s maximum sustained winds increased to 150 mph (240 kph). A storm of that strength or greater is considered a major hurricane.
The center said it expected Simon “to be near or just inland” of Mexico’s west-central coast on Sunday. The hurricane could bring as much as 10 to 20 inches (25-50 cm) of rain over parts of southwestern Mexico, with some areas in the states of Michoacan, Colima and Jalisco receiving up to 30 inches (76 centimeters).
“This rainfall will produce life-threatening flooding and mudslides, especially in areas of steep terrain,” the center warned in a bulletin that also urged residents to take immediate action to prepare as tropical-storm conditions were expected to arrive Saturday afternoon.
Also covering this story
4 other newsrooms covered this event. We read each version separately.
Hurricane Simon nears Mexico with 155 mph winds and flooding fears
Hurricane Simon strengthens into Category 4 storm as it takes aim at Mexico's Pacific coast
Hurricane Simon strengthens as it nears western Mexico
Hurricane Simon strengthens to Category 4 off Mexico coast
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