In short
- Hurricane Polo made landfall just south of Las Barrancas in Baja California Sur with maximum sustained winds of 110 mph (175 km/h).
- Meteorologists forecast 6 to 12 inches (150-300mm) of rain across parts of Baja California Sur, warning of life-threatening flooding and mudslides.
- The US-based National Hurricane Center said Polo was expected to weaken over the Baja California peninsula but to remain at hurricane strength for a second landfall in mainland Mexico.
- Residents of Baja California Sur reported power cuts before Polo came ashore, and flooding was reported in the fishing town of Puerto San Carlos.
- Meteorologists said Polo was being fuelled by extremely warm waters caused by the El Niño climate phenomenon.
Hurricane Polo made landfall on Mexico’s northern Pacific coast just south of Las Barrancas in Baja California Sur, bringing maximum sustained winds of 110 mph (175 km/h), Mexican officials said. The storm is forecast to cross the peninsula and move inland over southern Sonora on Tuesday, with up to 300mm of rain.
Where did Hurricane Polo make landfall?
Polo moved ashore just south of Las Barrancas, a surfing and fishing village in Baja California Sur, with maximum sustained winds of 110 mph (175 km/h). Mexican officials said the hurricane was moving northeast, and that on its forecast track its core would keep passing over the peninsula before moving inland over the southern part of Sonora later on Tuesday.
How much rain and flooding is forecast?
Meteorologists said Polo could dump between 6 and 12 inches (150-300mm) of rain across parts of Baja California Sur, warning this could produce life-threatening flooding and mudslides, especially in areas of steep terrain. The US-based National Hurricane Center (NHC) said a storm surge was also expected to produce significant coastal flooding in areas of onshore winds. “Near the coast, the surge will be accompanied by large and destructive waves,” the NHC said in an update. Elsewhere, Bangkok declared a flood emergency after all 50 of its districts were submerged.
What has happened in Baja California Sur so far?
Residents in threatened areas were encouraged to seek shelter. Shopkeeper Maria Palomino, 57, spent the night at a high school that had been turned into a temporary shelter. “If something happens, it’s better to come to the shelter,” she told AFP news agency. A whale-watching and fishing guide who was boarding up the facade of his home told AFP the storm was “coming with full force”. Even before Polo made landfall, residents said there were power cuts in Baja California Sur. US media reported some flooding in the fishing town of Puerto San Carlos, and the Associated Press said waves crested sea barriers in the area, where many residents had been evacuated.
Will Polo weaken before its second landfall?
The National Hurricane Center said Polo was expected to weaken as it moved over the Baja California peninsula, but forecast that it would still be at hurricane strength when it makes a second landfall in mainland Mexico. Meteorologists said the storm 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.
What about tourists and coastal areas?
The south of the peninsula is popular with tourists and acts as a base for surfers, sport fishers and whale watchers. In Cabo San Lucas, which is known for its natural rock arch, authorities had restricted access to the beaches on Monday. Meteorologists said dangerous surf and rip currents were likely to continue along portions of the north-western coast of Mexico and Baja California for the next day or so.
Frequently asked questions
Where did Hurricane Polo make landfall?
Polo came ashore just south of Las Barrancas, a surfing and fishing village in the Mexican state of Baja California Sur, with maximum sustained winds of 110 mph (175 km/h).
How much rain is Hurricane Polo expected to bring?
Meteorologists forecast 6 to 12 inches (150-300mm) of rain across parts of Baja California Sur, which they warned could cause life-threatening flooding and mudslides, especially in steep terrain.
Where is Hurricane Polo heading next?
Polo is moving northeast and is forecast to keep passing over the Baja California peninsula before moving inland over southern Sonora later on Tuesday, where it is expected to still be at hurricane strength.
Why is Hurricane Polo so strong?
Meteorologists said the hurricane 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.
With reporting from BBC News.
Stock image, not from the events described. Waves Crashing — Bonnie Moreland / Wikimedia Commons (CC0 1.0)