2 days ago
Hurricane Polo Nears Mexico With Flooding And Wind Threat
Hurricane Polo is moving toward Mexico’s Pacific coast.
It was expected to reach Baja California Sur on Monday.
The storm had very strong winds and could bring a lot of rain.
The rain could cause dangerous floods and mudslides.
Officials closed some beaches, ports and schools and opened shelters.
People in towns along the storm’s path bought supplies and boarded up buildings.
Forecasts disagreed about whether Polo would weaken to Category 1 strength or remain a powerful Category 3 storm.
Two children died in Jalisco after their home was swept away, and their parents are missing.
Polo may cross the peninsula and reach mainland Mexico before weakening.
Its moisture could also bring heavy rain to parts of the United States.
Hurricane Polo was approaching Baja California Sur on Monday as a Category 3 storm with winds near 115 mph and higher gusts.
The National Hurricane Center forecast life-threatening winds, 6 to 12 inches of rain, flash flooding and mudslides across Baja California Sur.
Forecasts differed on Polo’s landfall strength, with AccuWeather earlier projecting Category 1 conditions and later forecasts calling for Category 3 strength.
Authorities closed beaches, ports and schools, opened 169 shelters and deployed about 7,000 Navy and Defense Ministry personnel.
Two children died and their parents remain missing after their home was swept away in Jalisco; a woman was also swept away by currents in Puerto Vallarta.
- Who
- Hurricane Polo, Mexican authorities, the United States National Hurricane Center, AccuWeather and residents of Mexico’s Pacific coast.
- What
- Polo was approaching Baja California Sur with destructive winds, heavy rain, dangerous surf, flash-flood and mudslide risks, and a possible later landfall on mainland Mexico.
- Where
- Polo’s initial landfall zone was Baja California Sur, including areas near Cabo San Lazaro; it could later cross the Gulf of California and reach southern Sonora. Effects were also reported in Jalisco and Puerto Vallarta.
- When
- The initial landfall was expected Monday, with a possible second mainland landfall late Monday or early Tuesday.
- Why
- The hurricane threatened communities with strong winds, heavy rainfall, flooding, mudslides, storm surge and dangerous waves.
Weaker Landfall Forecast
Major Hurricane Landfall Forecast
Expected strength at landfall
Weaker Landfall Forecast
AccuWeather’s earlier forecast said Polo would gradually weaken and reach Baja California Sur as a Category 1 hurricane, while still potentially toppling trees and power lines and damaging structures.
Major Hurricane Landfall Forecast
The National Hurricane Center later forecast Polo would remain near major-hurricane strength, and its 5 p.m. forecast said the storm was set to come ashore as a Category 3 hurricane. AccuWeather also later described a dangerous Category 3 landfall.
Main risks
Weaker Landfall Forecast
The weaker forecast still warned of damaging winds, downed trees and power lines, and structural damage.
Major Hurricane Landfall Forecast
The stronger forecast emphasized life-threatening winds, 6 to 12 inches of rain, flash flooding, mudslides, destructive waves and storm surge.
Key facts
- Storm status
- Category 3 hurricane early Monday, with maximum sustained winds near 115 mph and higher gusts
- Storm position
- About 125 miles southwest of Cabo San Lazaro early Monday
- Expected rainfall
- Generally 6 to 12 inches across Baja California Sur; an earlier forecast cited 4 to 8 inches across Baja California, with up to 12 inches in Baja California Sur
- Forecast disagreement
- AccuWeather initially said Polo could weaken to Category 1 strength, while later forecasts expected a Category 3 landfall or near-major-hurricane strength
- Preparations
- Beaches, ports and schools were closed or restricted, while residents bought supplies and businesses boarded up windows
- Emergency response
- About 7,000 Mexican Navy and Defense Ministry personnel were deployed, and 169 temporary shelters were opened
- Reported casualties
- Two children died and their parents remain missing in Jalisco; a young woman was swept away by currents in Puerto Vallarta
Quotes
Baja California Sur civil protection office
Local civil protection authorities warning residents about possible power outages
“Before Hurricane Polo makes landfall, unplug electrical appliances and have an alternative light source ready”
theprint.in
“life-threatening flooding and mudslides, especially in areas of steep terrain”
theprint.in
Sources
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