Hurricane Polo regained Category 5 strength as it moved across the Pacific toward Mexico, with maximum sustained winds reaching 160 mph, according to the US National Hurricane Center. The storm was travelling northwest at about 10 mph.
Polo was located about 425 miles southwest of Cabo Corrientes, as forecasters monitored its path toward Baja California Sur, where it is expected to approach early Monday.
Private forecaster AccuWeather said the storm could make another landfall along Mexico’s northwestern mainland about 24 hours after reaching Baja California, increasing the threat of severe flash flooding across Baja California Sur, Sinaloa, Sonora and Chihuahua.
Strong winds and heavy rain from Polo have already affected communities along Mexico’s Pacific coast, leading to evacuations, port closures and school cancellations during the week.
In San Jose del Cabo, authorities restricted access to a beach on Friday after the hurricane generated large waves and dangerous surf conditions.
The National Hurricane Center said hurricane conditions could reach areas stretching from Punta Eugenia southward to Santa Fe in Baja California from Monday afternoon.
Forecasters expect Polo to produce 4 to 8 inches of rainfall across parts of Baja California Sur, with isolated totals of up to 10 inches. The heavy rain could cause life-threatening flooding and mudslides, while dangerous surf, rip currents and coastal flooding remain possible.
Goodness Anunobi
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