Two fatalities reported as Hurricane Simon and former storm Rachel impact Mexico’s coast

Hurricane Simon has contributed to a record-breaking Pacific storm season, resulting in significant damage from Hawaii to Mexico. At least two fatalities have been confirmed in Mexico due to Hurricane Simon and the remnants of tropical storm Rachel, which have caused severe rainfall and flooding in coastal communities. Guerrero Governor Evelyn Salgado reported that a 71-year-old man died when a retaining wall collapsed in Chilpancingo during Hurricane Simon. The man, identified by his family as Albino Moreno Jimenez, was feeding animals when the wall fell. A second death was reported in Baja California, where Governor Marina del Pilar stated that a young girl died from the effects of former Hurricane Rachel, which had peaked as a Category 3 storm in early October. Additionally, at least 10 individuals are reported missing in Baja California, with eight missing in Ensenada and two in San Felipe. Local newspaper La Jornada has reported a higher death toll of two in Baja California and 11 missing. Rachel made landfall in Mexico as a post-tropical cyclone and its remnants have moved north into southern California. Hurricane Simon has been off the coast of Mexico since the weekend, weakening from a Category 4 to a Category 2 storm by late Monday morning, with maximum sustained winds around 155 km/h (100 mph). The storm's center was located approximately 115 km west-southwest of Cabo Corrientes, moving west at 3 km/h. Forecasters anticipate that Simon could make landfall on Thursday or Friday, with hurricane warnings issued for western Mexico, which is at risk for landslides and dangerous surf conditions. Experts caution that the death toll from both storms may increase, urging residents to remain vigilant due to downed trees, high winds, and flooding. The Spanish newspaper El Pais reported the death of cliff diver Juan Patines in Mazatlan, Sinaloa, after he was unable to return to shore due to rough surf conditions linked to Hurricane Simon. Officials have not confirmed if his death was directly caused by the hurricane. This year's hurricane season has been notably active, with 21 named storms recorded in the northeastern and central Pacific, influenced by the El Nino weather phenomenon. The accumulated cyclone energy (ACE) for the region has reached a historic high, surpassing the previous record set in 2018. Hawaii has also faced severe impacts from hurricanes this season, including Hurricane Lala, which caused significant flooding and fatalities in August, and Hurricane Lowell, which struck in September, leading to power outages and additional casualties.