'Super Niño' approaches Mexico, threatens southern US: Isaias, Simon and Rachel occurring simultaneously
Experts warn of the risks posed by the three nearly simultaneous cyclones following the late start to the hurricane season.
A gas station destroyed by Hurricane Isaias in Florida
The "Super Niño" is now a dangerous reality for Mexico and the southern United States. As if it weren't enough to have Hurricane Isaias devastating the East Coast and Post-Tropical Cyclone Rachel threatening the country's Southwest, experts warn that Hurricane Simon will make landfall as a Category 4 storm.
Isaias has already forced several states to declare a state of emergency; its path has left four people dead across the U.S. (two in Florida and two in Alabama), and hundreds of thousands of homes without power, in addition to significant property damage.
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Although Isaias quickly lost strength after making landfall, its path has been devastating. The NHC forecasts that the now-post-tropical cyclone will move northward and then north-northeastward, gradually dissipating as it crosses the Tennessee and Ohio Valleys.
However, the cyclone could still bring heavy rain to the northwest coast of Florida, southern Alabama and Georgia, it said.
">Heavy rainfall associated with the post-tropical remnants of #Isaias will be spreading quickly northward into the Tennessee Valley, Southern Appalachians and Southeast today. Considerable flash and urban flooding will be possible. Landslides are also possible across the Southern Appalachians. Additional heavy rains are possible across portions of Northwest Florida and heavy rains are also possible across coastal Southwest Florida, resulting in flash and urban flooding. https://t.co/e2Vkdav5Wu
— National Weather Service (@NWS) October 10, 2026
In this regard, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis warned that residents are not yet completely out of danger. The Republican noted that it is "likely" that waters will continue to rise in some areas, with total rainfall expected over the weekend ranging from 4 to 8 inches.
Rachel: "Damaging winds, flash flooding, and life-threatening surf and rip currents"
On the other side of the country, the NWS warned that "Tropical Storm Rachel will bring hazardous conditions to Baja California and the Southwest this weekend, including damaging winds, flash flooding, and life-threatening surf and rip currents. Coastal flooding and erosion are also expected to worsen."
">Tropical Storm Rachel will bring hazardous conditions to Baja California and the Southwest this weekend, including damaging winds, flash flooding, and life-threatening surf and rip currents. Coastal flooding and erosion are also expected to worsen. https://t.co/2BmWBOOJpp https://t.co/UjW7s1Jol9
— National Weather Service (@NWS) October 10, 2026
Simon slowly and dangerously approaching Mexico
Finally, Hurricane Simon is approaching Mexico at a very slow speed, which increases the risks when it makes landfall on Sunday. Authorities have suspended non-essential activities in several municipalities in the state of Jalisco, where the storm is expected to make landfall.
Since becoming a hurricane, Simon has been moving at less than 6 miles per hour. It remains "semi-stationary" off the Mexican coast, meteorologist Boris Comi explained to AFP. This means it may "generate more rain over a longer period of time," which "puts the population at greater risk," added the specialist from Jalisco's Civil Protection agency.
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