Hurricane Simon weakens to Category 1 but continues to batter Mexico's Pacific coast

Key points

• Simon's winds have dropped to 90 mph, making it a Category 1 hurricane, though the National Hurricane Center notes it has technically become a small tropical cyclone.
• The storm is moving northwest at 2 mph, 105 miles west of Cabo Corrientes, with hurricane-force winds extending 10 miles from its core.
• Five deaths have been linked to tropical systems: four in Baja California from Tropical Storm Rachel and one in Guerrero from Simon.
• Up to 3 inches of rain are expected in Baja California Sur, Nayarit, and Sinaloa by Friday, with flash flooding possible in parts of the U.S. Southwest.
• President Claudia Sheinbaum described damage as 'minor' overall but acknowledged greater impacts in Guerrero and Baja California.

Background

Simon has been a major threat for nearly a week, having intensified to a Category 4 storm with 155 mph winds earlier this week. It is part of an unprecedented triple-storm event alongside Hurricane Isaias in the U.S. Southeast and Tropical Storm Rachel in the Southwest. The Pacific hurricane season has been active due to El Niño conditions, which have suppressed Atlantic storm formation.

How outlets are covering it

CBS News emphasizes the ongoing danger and slow movement of Simon, while CNN focuses on the weakening intensity and potential landfall timing. KOMO highlights the paradox of significant damage despite the storm remaining offshore, noting beach erosion and mudslide risks. Mexican officials, as reported by CNN, downplayed the overall damage but acknowledged severe impacts in specific regions. CBS and CNN both report on the five deaths, but CBS provides more detail on the rescue operations in Ensenada, while CNN focuses on the national response and presidential statements.

Why it matters

The continued presence of Hurricane Simon poses a significant threat to Mexico's Pacific coast, with potential for further flooding, landslides, and coastal damage. The storm's slow movement and uncertain track create ongoing uncertainty for residents and tourists in popular destinations like Puerto Vallarta and Acapulco. The broader context of multiple simultaneous storms highlights the challenges of managing extreme weather events across North America.

What to watch

Forecasters expect Simon to maintain hurricane strength through mid-week, with potential landfall north of Culiacán. Rainfall is expected to ease in some areas but could bring flash flooding to parts of the U.S. Southwest. Authorities are working to restore power and assist affected residents, with 14,000 personnel deployed in Baja California alone.