Hurricane Simon weakens to Category 3 off Mexico's Pacific coast

Hurricane Simon weakened from Category 4 to Category 3 off Mexico's Pacific coast on Monday, but continued to threaten western parts of the country with heavy rainfall, strong winds, and dangerous waves, according to Mexican officials. The storm's center was located 80 kilometers (50 miles) south of Cabo Corrientes, on the coast of Jalisco state, and 175 km (109 mi) west-northwest of Manzanillo, in the neighboring coastal state of Colima, according to Mexico's National Meteorological Service. Simon had maximum sustained winds of 205 kilometers per hour (127 mph), with gusts reaching 250 kph (155 mph), and was moving northwest at 7 kph (4.3 mph). The hurricane was forecast to bring very heavy rainfall to Jalisco, Nayarit, and Sinaloa, three states along Mexico's western Pacific coast, increasing the risk of flooding, landslides, and rising river levels. Winds along the coast of Jalisco could reach gusts of 100 kph, while waves were expected to reach 4 to 5 meters (13 to 16 feet), authorities warned. A hurricane wind warning remained in effect from Punta San Telmo, on the Pacific coast of Michoacan state, to El Roblito, in the neighboring state of Nayarit. The warning also covered the Pacific Marias Islands. A hurricane wind watch extended from El Roblito to Bahia Tempehuaya, along the coast of Sinaloa in northwestern Mexico, according to the SMN. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum urged residents of coastal areas in Jalisco, Colima, Nayarit, and Michoacan to remain sheltered until authorities officially declare the danger over. Sheinbaum said precautionary evacuations to safer areas are continuing, stressing that protecting lives remains the priority. On US social media platform X, she urged residents to follow civil protection recommendations and avoid traveling on public roads.