Simon strengthens off Mexico's Pacific coast

Hurricane Simon strengthened on Saturday as it churned off the coast of the Mexican state of Baja California Sur, still recovering from a devastating storm last month, forecasters said.
Mexico's National Weather Service said Simon was packing sustained winds of 175 kilometers (109 miles) per hour, with gusts of 215 kilometers (134 miles) per hour.
At 1500 GMT, Simon was 500 (310 miles) kilometers southwest of Cabo San Lucas, on the southern tip of the Baja California peninsula.
The area was hard hit September 14 by Hurricane Odile, which left six dead and caused heavy damage to the luxury tourist resorts that Cabo San Lucas is known for.
The Los Cabos airport, which was crippled by the storm, just resumed commercial flights on Friday.
The first cruise ship also docked in Los Cabos for the first time Friday since Odile touched down, and another 40 ships are expected to arrive this month.
The Miami-based National Hurricane Center, which said Simon is "rapidly intensifying," said it new storm is expected to produce up to 38 centimeters of rain (15 inches) across the state.
"These rains could cause flash flooding and mudslides," according to the NHC.
It said swells generated by Simon affecting parts of the southwestern coast of Mexico "are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions."