Hurricane Simon has stood off the coast of western Mexico for days without coming ashore. On Tuesday 13 October the US National Hurricane Center placed its centre about 105 miles west of Cabo Corrientes, drifting west with winds of 90 miles an hour, and forecast a small cyclonic loop before it turns north later in the week. A hurricane watch remains in effect: forecasters say Simon could approach Las Islas Marias on Wednesday and the coast of western Mexico later this week at or near hurricane strength. Its outer bands have already flooded towns near Puerto Vallarta. Five people have died across Simon and the remnants of storm Rachel, and six remain missing — four in Ensenada, and a father and son who went fishing from San Felipe on Saturday. We send the Light to the islands and the coast still under the watch, to the families waiting on news of the six, and to the crews searching for them.