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Hurricane "Simon" advanced on Saturday in the Pacific Ocean toward Mexico, where it threatens to make landfall with immense force.
Meteorological forecasts indicated the possibility of it being classified as a Category 4 or even Category 5, the maximum level on the Saffir-Simpson scale.
Simon's speed of seven km/h is a source of concern, as the slower the hurricane moves, the greater the potential damage it may cause.
In the tourist city of Puerto Vallarta, which is accustomed to these powerful hurricanes, authorities intend to issue orders for residents to take shelter starting at 5:00 PM local time (23:00 GMT).
The latest bulletin from the U.S. National Hurricane Center predicted that "Simon" would approach the region during Saturday night or early Sunday morning.
On Saturday morning, the weather remained cloudy and the sea relatively calm, with a sense of calm prevailing among the residents, as observed by an Agence France-Presse team.
Merchants in Puerto Vallarta set about stacking sandbags and fortifying doors and windows to protect their shops.
Hugo Gonzalez (48) recalled the passage of Hurricane "Kenna," which destroyed the seaside promenade and caused the death of four people in 2002, also recalling the sight of cars floating in the street while he was filling sandbags.
Authorities met on Friday at Navy facilities in Puerto Vallarta, where dozens of Navy personnel were preparing to join an emergency team equipped with debris removal machinery, in addition to a mobile unit for drinking water treatment.
Experts expect a more intense hurricane season due to the "El Niño" climate phenomenon, which leads to rising water temperatures in the Pacific Ocean.
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