Updated

Hurricane Simon rapidly intensified off Mexico's Pacific coast, developing a small, compact eye and reaching major-hurricane status with maximum sustained winds of about 120 mph and a minimum central pressure of 952 mb as of Friday night (Oct 9). The storm was located roughly 155 miles south of Manzanillo, Mexico, prompting the National Hurricane Center to urge that preparations to protect life and property be near completion. GDACS issued a red alert for the storm, estimating about 845,000 people could be exposed to category-1-strength winds or higher.