Hurricane Simon strengthens to a Category 2 storm, the National Hurricane Center says

MIAMI (AP) — Hurricane Simon has strengthened to a Category 2 storm and was forecast to approach Mexico's coast as a major hurricane this weekend, the National Hurricane Center said Friday.

The center said maximum sustained winds have increased to nearly 100 mph (155 kph), and that Simon is expected to continue strengthening rapidly during the next day or so. Simon is forecast to become a major hurricane by late Friday and strengthen further on Saturday.

U.S. forecasters earlier issued a hurricane warning for parts of the central and southwest coast, where hurricane-force winds were expected within 36 hours.

Simon is expected to bring heavy rainfall over parts of southwestern Mexico, with rain possibly concentrated across the coast of Jalisco and parts of Michoacan, Colima and Nayarit. Forecasters warned of life-threatening flooding and mudslides.

Simon was centered about 335 kilometers (210 miles) south of Manzanillo and 500 kilometers (310 miles) south-southeast of Cabo Corrientes.

The state of Jalisco suspended classes on Friday and Monday in 22 coastal municipalities and began evacuating dozens of people from at-risk areas. It also asked the tourism sector in Puerto Vallarta, a popular destination for U.S. tourists, to ensure that both workers and visitors are fully accommodated in shelters or safe zones by Friday afternoon.

“If we let our guard down and try to come up with a last-minute action plan, it is highly likely that lives will be lost,” said the state director of civil protection, Sergio Ramírez.

Governor Pablo Lemus urged the public to stay informed at all times given the hurricane’s “highly erratic behavior,” which has caused it to change direction between Manzanillo and Puerto Vallarta.

“What is certain is that it will hit the coast of Jalisco with very heavy rains starting this Friday, throughout the weekend, and on Monday,” he said.

The state of Guerrero has also suspended classes and non-essential activities in areas along the coast and in the central part of the state due to heavy rains brought by Simon since Thursday.

The flooding hit the port of Acapulco the hardest, where some streets were turned into rivers, with vehicles swept away by the current and homes and businesses flooded. There have been no reported casualties, said Governor Evelyn Salgado.

The U.S. Embassy also issued alerts advising against entering the water or walking on the beach and urging travelers to heed the warnings of local authorities.

Farther north, Tropical Storm Rachel was expected to reach Baja California, northwestern Mexico and Southern California this weekend. It had maximum winds of 85 kph (50 mph) and was forecast to weaken, though it may bring heavy rain to the area.

Tropical storm activity has been above average this season in the Pacific, due to the effects of a strong El Niño.