Hurricane Simon lashes Mexico's Pacific coast as a powerful Category 4 storm

Hurricane Simon's eye remains just off Mexico's Pacific coast, but the Category 4 storm's most powerful winds and rain slammed people living between the Sierra Madre and the ocean.The hurricane's center swirled parallel to the coast, closing in on the Puerto Vallarta area, where its most damaging winds and rain were expected to hit around midnight and continue through Monday morning. The storm has weakened throughout the day, with its maximum sustained wind speed decreasing by about 20 mph. And while the National Hurricane Center said additional weakening was expected throughout the day, it noted Simon was still expected to be a strong hurricane as it passes Mexico's west-central coast on Sunday.That's not good news for people in the Puerto Vallarta area, a popular destination for U.S. tourists. Just inland and uphill from the resort areas, many Mexicans live in communities where housing might not stand up to the storm. A person uses their phone while waves hit the shore, as Hurricane Simon approaches Mexico's Pacific coast, bringing heavy rain and strong winds to Manzanillo, Mexico, on Oct. 11, 2026. Daniel Becerril / REUTERS As of Sunday evening, Simon was centered about 55 miles...