Hurricane Simon

Hurricane Simon
Simon near its peak intensity late on October 10
Meteorological history
FormedOctober 7, 2026
DissipatedOctober 16, 2026
Category 4 major hurricane
1-minute sustained (SSHWS/NWS)
Highest winds155 mph (250 km/h)
Lowest pressure928 mbar (hPa); 27.40 inHg
Overall effects
Fatalities5 total
Injuries2
Damage>$10 million (2026 USD)
Areas affectedSouthwestern Mexico
Part of the 2026 Pacific hurricane season

Hurricane Simon was a powerful tropical cyclone that brushed the coast of Southwestern Mexico. The twenty-first named storm, eleventh hurricane, and ninth major hurricane of the extremely active 2026 Pacific hurricane season, Simon formed on October 7 from an area of low pressure south of Mexico.

Meteorological history

Map plotting the storm's track and intensity, according to the Saffir–Simpson scale
Map key
Saffir–Simpson scale
  Tropical depression (≤38 mph, ≤62 km/h)
  Tropical storm (39–73 mph, 63–118 km/h)
  Category 1 (74–95 mph, 119–153 km/h)
  Category 2 (96–110 mph, 154–177 km/h)
  Category 3 (111–129 mph, 178–208 km/h)
  Category 4 (130–156 mph, 209–251 km/h)
  Category 5 (≥157 mph, ≥252 km/h)
  Unknown
Storm type
triangle Extratropical cyclone, remnant low, tropical disturbance, or monsoon depression

On October 3, the National Hurricane Center designated a low-pressure area near the coast of Mexico and Guatemala, stating that it had a 90% chance of development in the next seven days. On October 7, the NHC upgraded the disturbance to a tropical depression, designating it as Twenty-E at 15:00 UTC. At 21:00 UTC the same day, as it was moving northwest, the NHC upgraded the depression into Tropical Storm Simon. The system organized and strengthened over the next day before being upgraded to a hurricane at 03:00 UTC on October 9. However the storm started to move very slowly. The storm continued strengthening and was upgraded to a Category 2 by the NHC. The next day, it rapidly intensified into a Category 3, and later Category 4 major hurricane, while starting to speed up a bit. Its rapid intensification period stopped after that, and started to slowly intensify up to its peak at 06:00 UTC the next day with maximum sustained winds of 155 miles per hour (249 km/h) and a minimum central pressure of 928 mbar (27.4 inHg). After that it started a gradual weakening period as a result of interacting with rugged terrain. The next day it weakened down to a Category 3 major hurricane, and later that day it weakened further into a Category 2. On October 13, a partial scatterometer pass indicated that Simon’s gale-force maximum wind extent only extended out to 30 nautical miles (35 mi), the NHC noted it as a "very small hurricane" as it maintained intensity.

Preparations

Three tropical cyclones active on October 9: Rachel (left), Simon (bottom), and Isaias (top right)

On October 8, the National Hurricane Center issued a hurricane watch for the Pacific Coast of Mexico from Manzanillo to Punta Mita. Later that day the watches were upgraded to hurricane warnings, with additional tropical storm watches issued around the area. Jalisco Civil Protection ordered all tourist sites to shelter visitors and staff by the afternoon of October 9. The federal Secretariat of Security and Citizen Protection declared a special alert for parts of Jalisco and Colima and set up three command centers headed by Jalisco Governor Pablo Lemus and Colima Governor Indira Vizcaíno. Plan DN-III-E and Plan Marina were put into effect by the Security Secretariat. The Comisión Federal de Electricidad deployed crews to Guerrero to prepare for response to Simon. Schools were closed in 22 municipalities of Jalisco and across the state of Guerrero. Beaches and ports were shuttered in Armería, Manzanillo, and Tecomán in Colima. The Port of Manzanillo also shut down for the hurricane. All non-essential activities in 10 coastal municipalities of Jalisco were prohibited beginning on the afternoon of October 10. About 100 families from the communities of Yelapa and Quimixto were evacuated by ferry to Puerto Vallarta by the Mexican Navy. About 5,000 people evacuated in Jalisco and Colima combined. In Nayarit, the state government prepared 171 shelters for possible evacuations following recent tidal floods in coastal areas.

Governor Greg Abbott of Texas activated emergency resources on October 13 due to the threat of the storm.

Impact

Aon plc estimated that losses from Simon totaled to more than US$10 million and that five people were killed by the storm.

Heavy rainfall from Simon caused flooding in Chiapas. In Oxchuc, a 20-year-old man drowned after being swept away by an overflowing river. In Ocosingo, a bridge collapsed. Moisture from Simon combined with Hurricane Isaias caused heavy rainfall across Oaxaca. Flooded roads and landslides were reported. In San Pedro Tapanatepec, 120 homes were flooded by storm surge.

One person was killed by the hurricane in Chilpancingo after a stone wall collapsed onto a home. Two injuries occurred in Acapulco. Sixteen utility poles were damaged. A total of 391 millimetres (15.4 in) of rain fell in 24 hours. A total of 65,780 customers in Guerrero lost electricity during the storm. An electrical substation in Puerto Marqués was flooded and had to be shut down. Power outages were reported across 13 municipalities. Damage was reported across at least 20 municipalities. 150 businesses were flooded and 60 vehicles were stranded in floodwaters. At least 201 homes were damaged and 30 fallen trees were reported. Six homes were destroyed. Seven damaged walls and two sinkholes were reported. Businesses in Acapulco suffered losses of Mex$33 million (US$1.76 million). Multiple sections of the Costa Chica highway were damaged, isolating several communities. Approximately 60 tons of trash were washed onto beaches from rainwater runoff from Simon. Numerous public transportation were suspended in Acapulco. At least twelve boats sank due to rough surf. Eighteen people in In La Unión were evacuated due to storm surge generated by Simon. More than 280 businesses in Acapulco suffered losses from closures from Simon. Homes in Acapulco were left without drinking water due to the contamination of the Papagayo River.

In Colima, 71 homes and 35 businesses were flooded. 73 fallen trees and six landslides and mudslides were reported. Eleven schools were damaged by floodwaters. Damage was reported along thirteen sections of the Armería-Manzanillo highway. Four communities were left temporarily isolated. In Armería, a portion of a ceiling of a hospital collapsed. In Manzanillo, one person was rescued from rough surf. In Cihuatlán, storm surge from Simon damaged a portion of a boardwalk. Officials estimated damage at Mex$35 million (US$1.87 million). Six homes were flooded and one home partially collapsed. A portion of the Manzanillo-Puerto Vallarta was destroyed by an overflowing river. In Morelia, numerous banana farmers suffered crop damage from the storm. Across Colima, Jalisco, and Michoacán 31,325 Comisión Federal de Electricidad customers lost power. In Mazatlán, a man drowned after being swept out to sea. Waves from Simon washed up 2 tons of trash onto beaches. In Nayarit, storm surge inundated at least a dozen restaurants and businesses. In Puerto Vallarta, more than 100 flights were cancelled, leaving numerous tourists stranded.

Further north, tropical enhanced moisture affected parts of Texas and Oklahoma. Oklahoma City recorded their second wettest day on record from the rains, while a tornado touched down in Fort Stockton, Texas. Simon also enhanced a round of severe storms across Kansas and Missouri.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Tropical Weather Outlook". NHC Graphical Outlook Archive. National Hurricane Center. Oct 3, 2026. Retrieved October 11, 2026.
  2. ↑ "Tropical Depression Twenty-E Discussion Number 1". National Hurricane Center. Oct 7, 2026. Retrieved 2026-10-08.
  3. ↑ "NHC Graphical Outlook Archive". www.nhc.noaa.gov. Retrieved 2026-10-08.
  4. ↑ "NWS". www.nhc.noaa.gov. Retrieved 2026-10-08.
  5. ↑ "Tropical Storm Simon Discussion Number 5". nhc.noaa.gov. 2026-10-08. Retrieved 2026-10-09.
  6. ↑ "Hurricane Simon Discussion Number 7". nhc.noaa.gov. 2026-10-08. Retrieved 2026-10-09.
  7. ↑ "Hurricane Simon Discussion Number 9". Nhc.noaa.gov. October 9, 2026. Retrieved October 11, 2026.
  8. ↑ https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2026/ep20/ep202026.public.011.shtml
  9. ↑ "Hurricane Simon Intermediate Advisory Number 11A". Nhc.noaa.gov. October 10, 2026. Retrieved October 11, 2026. SIMON BECOMES A CATEGORY 4 HURRICANE... PREPARATIONS TO PROTECT LIFE AND PROPERTY SHOULD BE RUSHED TO COMPLETION...
  10. ↑ https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2026/ep20/ep202026.public_a.015.shtml
  11. ↑ https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2026/ep20/ep202026.public_a.018.shtml
  12. ↑ https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2026/ep20/ep202026.public.021.shtml
  13. ↑ Papin, Philippe (2026-10-13). "Hurricane Simon Discussion Number 26". www.nhc.noaa.gov. Retrieved 2026-10-13.
  14. ↑ U.S. Mission to Mexico, U.S. Mission to Mexico. "Weather Alert: Tropical Storm Simon, U.S. Embassy Mexico City, U.S. Consulate General Guadalajara on Thursday, October 8, 2026". Mx.usembassy.gov. Retrieved October 8, 2026.
  15. ↑ Ciudad de México: Aviso84-26.pdf Vol. 84
  16. ↑ "Hurricane Simon strengthens to a Category 2 storm, the National Hurricane Center says". Seattletimes.com. Retrieved October 11, 2026.
  17. ↑ Adan Villa (October 8, 2026). "Puerto Vallarta Prepares for Simon as Officials Urge Evacuations in At-Risk Areas". Out and About Puerto Vallarta. Retrieved October 9, 2026.
  18. ↑ Jesús Olmos (October 9, 2026). "Impactará el Huracán Simón este fin de semana los estados de Jalisco y Colima : CNPC" [Hurricane Simon to hit the states of Jalisco and Colima this weekend: CNPC] (in Spanish). Parabolica. Retrieved October 9, 2026.
  19. ↑ Lourdes López (October 9, 2026). "Huracán Simón se intensifica a categoría 2 e Isaías permanece en categoría 3; sigue EN VIVO su trayectoria y efectos" [Hurricane Simon intensifies to category 2 and Isaias remains in category 3; his trajectory and effects continue LIVE] (in Spanish). El Universal. Retrieved October 9, 2026.
  20. ↑ "Suspenderán Actividades No Esenciales en 10 Municipios de Jalisco por Huracán Simon" [Non-Essential Activities will be suspended in 10 Municipalities of Jalisco due to Hurricane Simon] (in Spanish). NMas. October 10, 2026. Retrieved October 10, 2026.
  21. ↑ Lupillo Villaseñor (October 10, 2026). "Zarpa ferry para evacuar a 100 personas de Yelapa y Quimixto por el huracán "Simón"" [Ferry sets sail to evacuate 100 people from Yelapa and Quimixto due to hurricane "Simón"] (in Spanish). Tribuna de la Bahia. Retrieved October 10, 2026.
  22. ↑ "Huracán Simón: evacuaciones en Jalisco y cierre de playas en Colima ante el poder del mar" [Hurricane Simon: evacuations in Jalisco and closure of beaches in Colima due to the power of the sea] (in Spanish). Revista Gente. October 9, 2026. Retrieved October 10, 2026.
  23. ↑ "'Simón' se intensifica a categoría 4: Michoacán y Nayarit en alerta por cercanía del huracán" ['Simon' intensifies to category 4: Michoacán and Nayarit on alert due to proximity of the hurricane] (in Spanish). El Financiero. October 10, 2026. Retrieved October 10, 2026.
  24. ↑ "Gov. Abbott activates Texas emergency resources as remnants of Hurricane Simon pose flood threat". Fox 7 Austin. October 13, 2026. Retrieved October 24, 2026.
  25. ↑ Lörinc, Michal; Hotový, Ondřej; Elizondo, Antonio; Aguado, Alejandro; Vlach, Vojtěch (October 16, 2026). "Weekly Cat Report Review of Global Catastrophe Activity October 16, 2026" (PDF). aon.com. Retrieved October 16, 2026.
  26. ↑ "FOTOS: Recuperan cuerpo de joven tras paso del huracán Simon; corriente de río destruyó su casa". Azteca Puebla (in Mexican Spanish). 2026-10-12. Retrieved 2026-10-23.
  27. ↑ "Deja huracán Simón inundaciones y daños carreteros en Oaxaca". Quadratín Oaxaca (in Spanish). 2026-10-11. Retrieved 2026-10-22.
  28. ↑ "Muere adulto mayor tras el colapso de un muro en Guerrero por los efectos del huracán "Simón"" [Elderly dies after the collapse of a wall in Guerrero due to the effects of Hurricane "Simon"] (in Spanish). Latinus. October 9, 2026. Retrieved October 10, 2026.
  29. ↑ "México confirma al menos un fallecido por el huracán Simón, que ahora amenaza a los estados de Nayarit y Sinaloa". TELEMUNDO.com (in Spanish). 2026-10-12. Retrieved 2026-10-22.
  30. ↑ "Reportan Un Muerto en Guerrero por Paso del Huracán Simon". N+ (in Mexican Spanish). 2026-10-21. Retrieved 2026-10-22.
  31. ↑ Fernanda Monroy (October 9, 2026). "Huracán Simon deja sin electricidad a 65 mil usuarios en Guerrero; advierten posible impacto en Jalisco y Colima" [Hurricane Simon leaves 65,000 users without electricity in Guerrero; they warn of a possible impact in Jalisco and Colima] (in Spanish). Contra Línea. Retrieved October 10, 2026.
  32. ↑ "Restablece CFE al 100% el suministro eléctrico en Guerrero y Oaxaca tras el paso del huracán Simon". La Voz de Chihuahua (in Spanish). Retrieved 2026-10-22.
  33. ↑ Redacción, Por (2026-10-11). "Huracán 'Simón' deja severos daños en Guerrero: Reportan un muerto y 20 municipios afectados". El Financiero (in Spanish). Retrieved 2026-10-22.
  34. ↑ Redacción, Por (2026-10-13). "Huracán 'Simón' deja un muerto y 201 viviendas dañadas en Guerrero". El Financiero (in Spanish). Retrieved 2026-10-22.
  35. ↑ INFORMACIÓN, M@S (2026-10-13). "Afecta Simón más de 200 viviendas". Más Información (in Spanish). Retrieved 2026-10-22.
  36. ↑ PV, Redacción Notiespacio (2026-10-12). "Huracán Simón deja una persona fallecida en Guerrero y daños en Colima". Notiespacio PV (in Spanish). Retrieved 2026-10-22.
  37. ↑ "Canaco estima en 33 mdp daños a comercios de Acapulco por Simón - El Sol de Acapulco". OEM (in Spanish). Retrieved 2026-10-22.
  38. ↑ Navarrete, Alejandro (2026-10-22). "Llaman desde el Congreso a atender daños del huracán Simón". anews (in Spanish). Retrieved 2026-10-22.
  39. ↑ Vargas, Michel (2026-10-09). "Retiran hasta 60 toneladas de basura de playas de Acapulco tras lluvias por huracán Simón". El Sol de Chilpancingo (in Spanish). Retrieved 2026-10-22.
  40. ↑ "Huracán 'Simon' deja en Acapulco dos heridos, inundaciones, postes de luz caídos y deslaves". primeralinea.com.mx. Retrieved 2026-10-22.
  41. ↑ WebfulCreations. "Identidad Correntina » Huracán Simón deja daños en Acapulco y activa despliegue federal". Identidad Correntina » www.identidadcorrentina.com.ar (in Spanish). Retrieved 2026-10-23.
  42. ↑ Galeana, Ángel (2026-10-09). "Lluvias del huracán Simón dejan un muerto en Chilpancingo y daños en Guerrero". Excélsior (in Mexican Spanish). Retrieved 2026-11-04.
  43. ↑ "Suman 280 negocios afectados por Simón; Canaco urge apoyos para rescatarlos - El Sol de Acapulco". OEM (in Spanish). Retrieved 2026-11-04.
  44. ↑ "Simón deja sin agua a Acapulco por turbiedad del río Papagayo - El Sol de Acapulco". OEM (in Spanish). Retrieved 2026-11-04.
  45. ↑ Meganoticias. "Huracán Simón deja 71 viviendas y 35 comercios afectados en Colima". www.meganoticias.mx (in Spanish). Retrieved 2026-10-22.
  46. ↑ Jornada, La; Corresponsal, Juan Carlos Flores (2026-10-11). "Efectos del Huracán 'Simon' dejan daños, inundaciones y carreteras bloqueadas en Colima". La Jornada (in Spanish). Retrieved 2026-10-23.
  47. ↑ "Cihuatlán estima en 35 mdp los daños que dejó "Simon"". Notisistema (in European Spanish). Retrieved 2026-10-22.
  48. ↑ maria (2026-10-12). "Deja Simon daños en viviendas y carreteras en Jalisco; baja a categoría 2". El Sur Acapulco suracapulco I Noticias Acapulco Guerrero (in Spanish). Retrieved 2026-10-22.
  49. ↑ "Huracán Simon Causa Inundaciones y Daños en Cihuatlán y La Huerta". N+ (in Mexican Spanish). 2026-10-22. Retrieved 2026-10-22.
  50. ↑ ""Simon" deja daños en la infraestructura de Cihuatlán". Notisistema (in European Spanish). Retrieved 2026-10-22.
  51. ↑ Michoacán, Uriel Morales Pérez/Quadratín (2026-10-15). "Piden apoyo para plataneros de Coahuayana tras paso de huracán Simón". Quadratín Michoacán (in Spanish). Retrieved 2026-10-22.
  52. ↑ "CFE restablece el 99.54% del suministro eléctrico en Michoacán, Colima y Jalisco tras el paso del huracán Simon". El Heraldo de México (in Spanish). Retrieved 2026-10-22.
  53. ↑ Garrido, Verónica M. "La estela del huracán 'Simon' golpea hasta 201 casas en su lento avance hacia Sinaloa". El País México (in Mexican Spanish). Retrieved 2026-10-22.
  54. ↑ "VIDEO | Así fue como murió un clavadista tras lanzarse al mar en Mazatlán". Azteca Sinaloa (in Mexican Spanish). 2026-10-12. Retrieved 2026-10-22.
  55. ↑ "Por Simon, limpian casi dos toneladas diarias de residuos". Yahoo Noticias (in Spanish). 2026-10-14. Retrieved 2026-10-22.
  56. ↑ "Huracán Simon golpea restaurantes en Bucerías, Nayarit". El Universal (in Spanish). 2026-11-04. Retrieved 2026-11-04.
  57. ↑ Torres, Adolfo (2026-10-12). "Huracán Simón "indulta" a Puerto Vallarta: deja llovizna y perdidas económicas". Tribuna de México (in Spanish). Retrieved 2026-11-04.
  58. ↑ "Flood threat shifts to Central and West Texas after tropically enhanced storms slammed Southern Plains". Fox Weather. October 23, 2026. Retrieved October 15, 2026.
  59. ↑ "Hurricane brings storms, high winds". Marion Record. October 22, 2026. Retrieved October 24, 2026.