Hurricane Simon lashed western Mexico with strong winds and heavy rainfall on Monday, causing damage and claiming lives in coastal areas and resorts along the Pacific. The storm, classified as a Category 2 hurricane, maintained its position offshore while its outer bands brought gusty winds and rain to regions between the Sierra Madre and the Pacific Ocean, near Puerto Vallarta.
In the southwestern United States, flood advisories were lifted following the aftermath of Tropical Storm Rachel, which led to flooding in Las Vegas over the weekend. Across the border in Mexico’s Baja California state, rescue efforts were underway in the coastal city of Ensenada where floodwaters caused destruction, sweeping away vehicles and damaging homes. The impact of post-tropical cyclone Rachel resulted in at least four fatalities in the state.
Local resident Johana Nuriulu described how the sudden flooding, triggered by heavy rain that knocked out power, caught many off guard. The overflowing stream inundated the neighborhood, causing significant damage and loss as vehicles and belongings were carried away by the rushing waters.
Numerous communities in Baja California faced isolation due to landslides and overflowing rivers. The Mexican military conducted helicopter rescues in Ensenada, saving 32 individuals, including 22 foreigners and 13 youths. Among the rescued were missionaries, including Germans and Americans, who were meeting at a ranch in the area.
In Baja California, civil protection authorities reported four recovered bodies in Ensenada, with six individuals still missing. Efforts involving around 14,000 federal and state personnel were deployed to provide assistance and address the emergency situation in the affected regions.
Further south, Hurricane Simon caused havoc in Guerrero state, downing trees, poles, and causing flooding in towns like Acapulco. Tragically, a 71-year-old man lost his life in Chilpancingo after a wall collapsed. The hurricane maintained maximum sustained winds of 155 km/h and was forecasted to persist as a hurricane into the middle of the week, posing a risk of life-threatening flooding and mudslides before a potential landfall on Friday.
In Puerto Vallarta, as rainfall subsided, businesses reopened and preparations were made to resume airport operations on Tuesday following temporary closures. Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Rachel transitioned into a post-tropical cyclone as it moved north towards Southern California, causing damage along the coast with powerful waves and forcing evacuations in areas like Long Beach.