Hurricane Simon threatens Mexico's coast with catastrophic winds and flooding

Hurricane Simon, a powerful Category 4 storm, was pounding Mexico's Pacific coast on Sunday, its eye moving parallel to the shoreline and threatening catastrophic winds and flooding.

Forecasters at the U.S. National Hurricane Center said it was unclear if the storm would make landfall, which could allow it to maintain its extremely dangerous strength with sustained winds of 240 km/h.

"We're expecting catastrophic wind and life-threatening storm surge impacts along that west central coast of Mexico where the hurricane warning is currently in effect," senior Hurricane Center specialist Phillippe Pappin told The Associated Press.

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"They're also getting very heavy rainfall associated with the storm that's likely going to produce life-threatening flooding and mudslides in areas of higher terrain along the Mexican coastline, and there will be significant swells."

At daybreak Sunday, Simon was centred about 175 kilometres south-southeast of Cabo Corrientes, the westernmost tip of mainland Mexico, and moving north-northwest at eight km/h.

Pappin said that area was the most likely place for a direct hit.

The hurricane could dump 25 to 50 centimetres of rain across parts of southwestern Mexico, with some areas in the states of Michoacan, Colima and Jalisco receiving up to 76 centimetres.

Jalisco state suspended classes on Friday and Monday in 22 coastal municipalities and began evacuating people from at-risk areas.

It also asked the tourism sector in Puerto Vallarta, a popular destination for Canadian and U.S. tourists, to ensure workers and visitors were in shelters or safe zones.

On Saturday, businesses in Puerto Vallarta boarded up their windows ahead of the storm's arrival.

"Let's hope it doesn't hit us, right? That it doesn't affect us," Jesús Gómez said as he handed out free samples outside a shop.

"We'll be working as usual throughout the day, but when Civil Protection officials come and tell us we need to close, then we'll close and take shelter until the storm passes."

Canadian tourist Ed Currie, who was in Puerto Vallarta with his wife, said the hurricane had not yet affected their plans.

"Just stay in the hotel and look out the window hopefully," he said. "I just don't know what to expect."

Authorities suspended non-essential activities in 24 vulnerable municipalities across Jalisco, Colima, Michoacán and Nayarit starting Saturday afternoon.

Puerto Vallarta International Airport closed from 6 p.m. Saturday until 8 a.m. Monday, with all flights after 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday cancelled.

Manzanillo airport also suspended operations from Saturday evening until Sunday morning.

The storm has already caused damage in Guerrero state, where heavy rains triggered flooding and landslides.

In Acapulco, a two-story house collapsed due to erosion from a rising river, and several nearby homes were at risk.

Around 500 National Guard personnel, along with machinery from the National Water Commission and municipal brigades, were working to remove debris and provide support.

Simon's arrival follows Hurricane Polo, which hit Mexico as a Category 2 storm last week before bringing heavy flooding to the southwestern U.S. Nosy Mag reported in September that Mexico was also facing a threat from Hurricane Polo.

With files from CBC News, Global News and CBS News