MEXICO CITY, October 11 The Mexican government has initiated evacuation procedures for areas in the projected path of Hurricane Simon as the storm approaches with winds of 155 mph, prompting concerns of severe flooding and potential catastrophic damage. Officials noted the urgency of the situation as residents in affected zones are advised to take necessary precautions and follow evacuation instructions.
The National Hurricane Center has been monitoring the storm’s progress, providing updates on its trajectory and intensity, and reported that Hurricane Simon’s winds have reached 155 mph, with the storm expected to make landfall in Mexico. The storm’s impact is expected to be significant, with potential flooding and damage to infrastructure, and emergency services are preparing for the storm’s arrival.
Hurricane Simon’s wind speed is comparable to that of Hurricane Patricia, which affected Mexico in 2015, according to the National Hurricane Center’s assessments. Patricia, which made landfall near Cuixmala, Jalisco, with winds of 150 mph, remains the most powerful tropical cyclone on record worldwide in terms of maximum sustained winds and the second-most intense on record worldwide in terms of pressure, with a minimum atmospheric pressure of 872 mbar.
Originating from a disturbance near the Gulf of Tehuantepec in mid-October 2015, Patricia was first classified as a tropical depression on October 20 and grew from a tropical storm to a Category 5 hurricane in just 24 hours, a near-record pace fueled by exceptionally favorable environmental conditions.
On October 23, Patricia achieved its record peak intensity with maximum sustained winds of 215 mph before making landfall late that day near Cuixmala, Jalisco, and weakening rapidly as it interacted with Mexico’s mountainous terrain, dissipating into a tropical depression within 24 hours of moving ashore. The precursor to Patricia produced widespread flooding rains in Central America, affecting hundreds of thousands of people, mostly in Guatemala, with at least six fatalities attributed to the event: four in El Salvador, one in Guatemala, and one in Nicaragua.
Torrential rains extended into southeastern Mexico, with areas of Quintana Roo and Veracruz reporting rainfall accumulations in excess of 19.7 inches. Damage in Chetumal reached MX$1.4 billion, equivalent to US$85.3 million at the time. As a tropical cyclone, Patricia’s effects in Mexico were tremendous, though the affected areas were predominantly rural, lessening the number of people directly impacted.
Violent winds tore roofs from structures and stripped coastal areas of vegetation, with preliminary assessments indicating hundreds of homes were destroyed. Seven fatalities were linked to the hurricane directly or indirectly, including one during evacuations.
Total damage from Patricia was estimated to be at least $462.8 million in 2015 USD, with damage in Mexico alone exceeding MX$5.4 billion, or US$325 million, primarily affecting agriculture and infrastructure. Flooding from remnant moisture caused US$52.5 million in damage across Southern Texas. Looking ahead, officials noted that continued monitoring by the National Hurricane Center will be critical as Hurricane Simon evolves, with residents urged to remain vigilant and prepared for potential changes in the storm’s path or intensity as it nears landfall.
