Hurricane Polo is lashing the northern Pacific coast of Mexico with intense winds as it moves ashore with the threat of life-threatening flash floods. The powerful category three storm, with maximum sustained winds near 115 mph (185 km/h), is expected to make landfall on Monday evening over the state of Baja California Sur, a region popular with tourists and home to the resort destination of Los Cabos. Meteorologists at the US-based National Hurricane Center (NHC) have warned that life-threatening winds and flash foods had begun to hit portions of the region Residents boarded up homes and businesses and stocked up on essentials such as drinking water and food as the storm approached. The eye of the storm is expected to move inland along the coast of Baja California Sur on Monday evening, and then move inland into southern Sonora on Tuesday morning, according to NHC.
“Conditions will deteriorate quickly”, the US weather agency warned, urging residents to seek safe shelter. Forecasters also warned of the intense storm surge the hurricane could unleash, which could be accompanied by large and destructive waves. Heavy rains could also lead to life-threatening flooding and mudslides, especially in areas of steep terrain. The hurricane centre said even after Polo dissipates, its remnants could produce strong gusty winds in southern New Mexico and western Texas.
In Cabo San Lucas, famous for its natural rock arch, authorities restricted access to the beaches. Some restaurants also closed in the town, which acts as a base for sport fishers and whale watchers. Laura Velázquez, national coordinator of Mexico’s Civil Protection Agency, said that travel will be halted in the area where the hurricane is expected to make landfall and ports will be closed. Dangerous surf and rip currents are likely along portions of the northwestern coast of Mexico and Baja California for the next day or so, meteorologists said.
The regional government of Baja California Sur has ordered schools to remain closed on Monday as a preventive measure. Governor Víctor Manuel Castro Cosío said temporary shelters had been opened should residents need to be evacuated. The federal authorities have also deployed thousands of members of the navy and the army along with specialised machinery. Polo has been slowly moving towards Mexico’s coast line.
Meteorologists said it was being fuelled by extremely warm waters caused by the El Niño climate phenomenon, which has led to a more active hurricane season in Pacific waters. Developing El Niño becomes strongest on record weeks before expected peak Hurricane Polo downgraded but remains ‘very powerful’ off coast of Mexico
