5 deaths reported in Mexico due to Hurricane Simon and remnants of Rachel
Hurricane Simon was drifting westward off Mexico’s west-central coast at 15:00 UTC on October 13, 2026, with maximum sustained winds of 150 km/h (90 mph), while the National Hurricane Center (NHC) shifted its forecast track substantially south and described confidence in both the track and intensity forecasts as very low. One death has been attributed to Simon in Guerrero. An Associated Press report separately counted four deaths from post-tropical Rachel in Baja California, bringing the combined toll from the two systems to five at the time of that report.
Satellite image of Hurricane Simon at 17:00 UTC on October 13, 2026. Credit: NOAA/GOES-19, RAMMB/CIRA, The Watchers
The National Hurricane Center (NHC) placed Simon’s center, about 160 km (100 miles) west of Cabo Corrientes and 300 km (185 miles) south-southwest of Mazatlán at 03:00 LT (09:00 UTC). Minimum central pressure was 977 hPa, and the hurricane was moving northwest at 6 km/h (3 mph).
Simon retained a very compact circulation. Synthetic aperture radar data showed the radius of maximum wind at about 9 km (6 miles), while tropical-storm-force winds extended about 55–75 km (35–45 miles) from the center.
Weak steering currents are forecast to dominate during the next couple of days, with most guidance showing little net motion through about 60 hours and individual models taking the hurricane in different directions. NHC described forecast confidence as “very low.”
A Hurricane Warning remained in effect for Las Islas Marías, with a Hurricane Watch from north of Escuinapa to Bahía Tempehuaya and a Tropical Storm Watch from Cabo Corrientes to Escuinapa.
Hurricane conditions were possible within the Hurricane Watch area on Thursday, with tropical-storm conditions possible earlier, while additional changes to watches and warnings remained possible as the forecast evolves.
Simon is forecast to produce about 125–255 mm (5–10 inches) of rainfall across coastal west-central Mexico, with isolated totals near 380 mm (15 inches) over Sinaloa by Thursday. The rain can produce life-threatening flooding and mudslides or worsen flooding already underway, particularly over steep terrain.
A dangerous storm surge is possible along the immediate coast near Las Islas Marías, where large and destructive waves can accompany elevated water levels. Swells generated by Simon are also affecting parts of southwestern and west-central Mexico, with NHC warning of life-threatening surf and rip-current conditions.
Farther south, Simon’s rains and winds have already produced damage in Guerrero. Guerrero Governor Evelyn Salgado said the cyclone downed trees and electricity poles, blocked roads and flooded homes in coastal communities including Acapulco.
A 71-year-old man died after a wall collapsed in Chilpancingo, the state capital, Salgado said. The other four fatalities were reported in Baja California and occurred in Maneadero, Ensenada, during flooding caused by post-tropical Rachel.
On October 11, Mexico’s Secretariat of Security and Citizen Protection said 22 589 personnel from federal, state and municipal authorities were involved in preventive and response operations associated with Simon.
The deployment was supported by 1 470 vehicles, 323 heavy-machinery units and 18 aircraft. The government also reported preventive evacuations, transfers to temporary shelters, and command-post operations involving defense, naval, transport, health, civil-protection, water, and electricity agencies.
References:
1 Hurricane Simon Advisory Number 25 – NOAA/NHC – October 13, 2026
2 Hurricane Simon Discussion Number 25 – NOAA/NHC – October 13, 2026
3 Four deaths reported after Rachel in Baja California – La Jornada – October 13, 2026
4 Chilpancingo wall-collapse fatality – Agencia de Noticias IRZA – October 9, 2026
Rishav Kothari is Editor-in-Chief of The Watchers, where he runs the newsroom and covers earthquakes, volcanoes, severe weather and space weather.
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