Powerful hurricane to strike Mexico; slow movement raises heavy-rain threat

Maximum winds near the center reach 155 mph

Hurricane Isaias in the Gulf of Mexico has only recently made landfall, and now a hurricane is approaching Mexico’s Pacific coast.

Hurricane Simon formed over the eastern Pacific off Mexico and rapidly intensified as warm sea-surface temperatures and wind conditions favored its development.

According to an analysis by the U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC), as of the night of the 10th local time, the storm had a central pressure of 928 hPa and maximum winds of 155 mph. It remained a Category 4 hurricane, the second-highest of the five categories.

Flooding and other impacts already reported

As the hurricane approaches, small rivers that are usually dry have overflowed in the resort city of Acapulco, inundating the commercial area around El Morro Beach.

High waves and swells have also been observed along the coast of neighboring Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo.

Firefighters and emergency response teams are working to address flooding and protect residents. Mexico’s civil protection authorities have issued weather alerts and are urging farmers, livestock producers, fishers and coastal residents to evacuate or follow instructions.