Hurricane Simon hits Mexico without making landfall — yet
Hurricane Simon, a Category 3 storm, pounded Mexico’s Pacific coast Sunday, but its eye remained offshore, keeping it strong.
The heaviest rains and winds battered the Puerto Vallarta area Sunday with maximum sustained winds of 120 mph. Some areas saw up to 8 inches of rain.
Simon is moving parallel to the country’s western coast Monday and is expected to make landfall and then dissipate inland over Mexico. Winds had dropped to 115 mph by early Monday, as the storm crawls northwest at 5 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center.
Hurricane warnings are in effect for Playa Perula to El Roblito and Las Islas Marias. A hurricane watch is in place north of El Roblito to Bahia Tempehuaya.
Tropical moisture from the storm is expected to stream into the U.S. and bring the risk of flooding to the middle of the country later this week.
The same region could see 1 to 3 inches of rain Wednesday and Thursday, with up to 6 inches in some areas.
Remnants of Tropical Storm Rachel continue to dump rain on the Southwest
Meanwhile, people on the West Coast are facing flooding after Tropical Storm Rachel barreled through over the weekend.
Videos showed Las Vegas under feet of water, and huge waves were seen battering homes along beaches in Southern California.
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Tropical Storm Rachel brings powerful waves to California
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Las Vegas saw more than an inch of rain, breaking the daily record for Oct. 11, which was set in 2012.
The remnants of Rachel continued to bring rain and some flooding to parts of the Southwest on Monday, even reaching as far north as southeastern Idaho.
Flash flood watches and warnings are in place for most of the region, including in Arizona, Nevada, Utah and Idaho. In some areas, up to 3 inches of rain is possible Monday.
A coastal flood advisory is in effect for Southern California, where high tides and surf could cause problems.
More tropical downpours are likely Monday for the Southwest, Four Corners and central Rockies. Some snow is also possible in higher-elevation areas.
