Simon strengthens into a Category 4 hurricane as it approaches Mexico

As of October 13, 2026, Hurricane Simon has hit Mexico after causing significant damage along the Pacific coast, leading to a death toll of six people. The hurricane initially strengthened into a powerful Category 4 storm off Mexico’s Pacific coast but had weakened to a Category 1 by the time it made landfall. Heavy rains and flooding triggered landslides in coastal areas, claiming lives including those of a 13-year-old girl, two women aged 30 and 35, a 4-year-old boy, and an unidentified person found near a stream.

The hurricane brought up to 20 inches of rain over parts of southwestern Mexico, causing severe flooding and landslides in states such as Nayarit, Sinaloa, and Guerrero. Authorities issued warnings for rising rivers and continued flooding risks. Additionally, the remnants of Tropical Storm Rachel caused further damage and fatalities in Baja California.

Jalisco state had suspended classes and began evacuations from at-risk areas ahead of the storm's arrival, while Puerto Vallarta, a popular tourist destination, ensured accommodation for both workers and visitors in shelters or safe zones. Despite weakening to Category 1 status by October 13, Hurricane Simon continued moving slowly off Mexico’s Pacific coast, bringing heavy rain to Nayarit and Sinaloa states, with the U.S. National Hurricane Center forecasting gradual weakening over subsequent days.