Hurricane Polo lashes Mexico as Hurricane Nolo approaches Hawaii

Hurricane Polo battered Mexico’s southwestern coast with heavy rain, powerful surf and flooding as it tracked northwest toward the Baja California region. Reuters reported that the storm was expected to make landfall Sunday night, while the National Hurricane Center said Polo was expected to regain Category 5 status on Friday.

Polo registered a central pressure of 892 millibars on September 22, making it the second-most intense hurricane recorded in the eastern Pacific, according to The Guardian. Its sustained winds were around 150 mph, with hurricane-force winds extending about 40 miles from the center and tropical-storm-force winds reaching 125 miles.

In Lázaro Cárdenas, Michoacán, seawater entered homes and waves reportedly reached 15 feet. Mexican authorities deployed 15,000 security personnel, suspended classes, opened shelters and evacuated residents from high-risk areas. The storm also raised concerns along Southern California’s coast, where high tides and a Kelvin wave could compound hazardous beach conditions.

Farther west, Hurricane Nolo strengthened while turning toward Hawaii’s Big Island. Forecasters warned of 15 to 30 inches of rain through Saturday, with higher totals possible, and said Maui could also face life-threatening flooding. Hawaii’s governor issued an emergency proclamation, more than 230 National Guard members were activated, and schools closed for the remainder of the week. The threatened southeastern Big Island remained saturated after Hurricane Lala struck in August.