Hurricane Polo reached landfall in the Mexican state of Baja California early Tuesday, delivering intense flash flooding and winds that forecasters have characterized as life-threatening. The Category 2 storm moved ashore just south of Las Barrancas, situated approximately 80 miles (130 kilometers) north of Cabo San Lazaro and 70 miles (115 kilometers) south of Mulege. According to the U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami, the hurricane maintained maximum sustained winds of 110 mph (175 kph) while tracking northeast at a speed of 13 mph (20 kph). This landfall followed the storm's status as a Category 3 hurricane on Monday, when it recorded top sustained winds of 115 mph (185 kph).
Meteorologists expect the storm to dump between 6 and 12 inches (about 15 to 30 centimeters) of rain across portions of Baja California Sur. The system is also projected to bring significant rainfall and flooding to the U.S. Southwest later in the week, specifically targeting parts of Arizona, Utah, New Mexico, and Texas. Andrew Mangham, a senior service hydrologist for the National Weather Service in Albuquerque, noted that the region's arid, rocky terrain is particularly susceptible to flash flooding, adding that the tropical weather system increases these risks significantly. He expressed concern over the rapid accumulation of moisture, stating that the area is receiving a large volume of rain in a very short period.
In response to the threat, the government of the northern Mexican state of Sonora announced a suspension of all nonessential activities, including sports, school, and work, across the capital and over a dozen municipalities. The Mexican navy has positioned personnel along the northern Pacific coast and deployed three vessels capable of delivering aid to coastal communities that may become isolated by the storm. Local authorities on the Baja California Peninsula have prepared emergency shelters, closed regional ports, and suspended travel in the affected zones.
While Polo impacts Mexico, forecasters are monitoring other activity in the Pacific. Tropical Storm Rachel was recorded moving parallel to the Mexican coast early Tuesday, located about 300 miles (485 kilometers) west-southwest of Acapulco and 315 miles (505 kilometers) south of Manzanillo, with maximum sustained winds of 60 mph (95 kph) while moving west-northwest at 12 mph (19 kph). Meanwhile, Hurricane Nolo is moving away from Hawaii after drenching the southeastern and southern parts of the Big Island over the weekend. The U.S. National Guard reported that 19 people were rescued from flooding in Hawaii during the weekend. Nolo, which had maximum sustained winds of 120 mph (195 kph), was moving north-northwest at 15 mph (24 kph) and approaching the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument.
Lead forecaster Bob Oravec of the National Weather Service indicated that Pacific storm activity has been above average during this peak season, a pattern consistent with El Niño years. This climate phenomenon often results in a higher frequency of tropical storms and hurricanes in the Pacific region.
We want nice rains, you know, all summer long.” Floods and mudslides remain a risk in HawaiiHurricane Nolo on Monday had moved to about 425 miles (685 kilometers) west-southwest of Honolulu.
National Guard said in a post on Facebook.
