29-09-2026
Hurricane Polo made landfall on Mexico’s northern Pacific coast, striking Baja California Sur with maximum sustained winds of 110 mph (175 km/h) and heavy rain. It came ashore just south of Las Barrancas and was moving northeast. Forecasters expected the storm’s core to cross Baja California Sur before moving inland over southern Sonora later on Tuesday. Residents in threatened areas were urged to seek shelter; some, including shopkeeper María Palomino, spent the night in temporary shelters. A local fishing and whale-watching guide described the storm as coming “with full force.”
The National Hurricane Center forecast that Polo would weaken over the peninsula but remain at hurricane strength when it made a second landfall on mainland Mexico. Meteorologists warned that 6 to 12 inches (150–300mm) of rain could cause life-threatening flooding and mudslides, particularly in steep terrain. Storm surge and destructive waves threatened coastal areas. Power cuts had already been reported, and flooding and overtopping waves were reported around Puerto San Carlos. Dangerous surf and rip currents were expected to continue along parts of Mexico’s north-western coast and Baja California.
The article also describes the storm’s wider effects. Polo was fueled by unusually warm waters associated with El Niño, which has contributed to a more active Pacific hurricane season. As the system moves northeast, tropical moisture is expected to bring excessive rainfall and flash-flood risks to parts of the US. Rain was already falling in Arizona and California, while Polo’s remnants and Hurricane Odalys were expected to add to rainfall moving across the southern plains. Some locations could receive 6 or 7 inches by Thursday, with Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado and Utah among the states affected.
Entities: Hurricane Polo, Baja California Sur, Las Barrancas, Sonora, María Palomino • Tone: urgent • Sentiment: negative • Intent: inform
29-09-2026
Hurricane Polo made a second landfall on Mexico’s northwestern Pacific coast on Tuesday, near the port city of Guaymas in Sonora state, after crossing and drenching the southern Baja California peninsula the previous day. Polo came ashore near Guaymas as a Category 1 hurricane, according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC), but weakened over northwestern Mexico. By 2 p.m. Mountain Standard Time, its maximum sustained winds had dropped to 100 km/h, and forecasters expected it to weaken rapidly as it moved farther inland.
Despite the storm’s weakening, its moisture was expected to produce heavy rain. The NHC forecast 10 to 15 centimetres across southern and central Sonora, with isolated totals reaching 20 centimetres. The rainfall could cause life-threatening flooding and mudslides. AccuWeather also warned that Polo’s remnants might bring a broader deluge to the U.S. Southwest and Plains.
Before its second landfall, Polo crossed Baja California Sur as a Category 2 hurricane. Flooding, downed palm trees and utility poles, and inundated roads were reported. Police blocked flooded routes. Resident Bertha Lopez said her household had secured and prepared its belongings, and that the storm was less disastrous than expected. Baja California Sur Gov. Víctor Manuel Castro said no deaths had been reported.
Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Rachel was strengthening offshore to the south. The NHC reported winds of 110 km/h as Rachel churned about 435 kilometres west-southwest of Lázaro Cárdenas. It was forecast to become a hurricane Tuesday night and a major hurricane by Thursday, tracking parallel to—but remaining offshore from—southwestern Mexico’s coast. Thus, while Polo was losing strength, the region continued to face a threat from heavy rainfall and another intensifying storm.
Entities: Hurricane Polo, Tropical Storm Rachel, Guaymas, Sonora, Baja California Sur • Tone: neutral • Sentiment: negative • Intent: inform
29-09-2026
Hurricane Polo made landfall in Baja California Sur, Mexico, with maximum sustained winds of 110 mph, making it a strong Category 2 storm at landfall. Its winds later fell to 80 mph, and the storm was expected to continue across the peninsula before making a second landfall over mainland Mexico. Forecasters expected Polo to weaken as it moved inland, but warned that it would bring damaging winds and life-threatening flash flooding.
The storm’s effects were expected to extend into the United States. Flood watches covered 11 states, including much of Arizona and New Mexico and parts of several other states, with more than 14 million people facing a risk of major flooding. The National Weather Service warned that moisture from Polo could trigger flash flooding from the Four Corners region eastward into the Central Plains and urged people not to drive through floodwaters. The storm was forecast to bring 6 inches to a foot of rain to Baja California Sur and up to 8 inches to Sonora.
Mexican authorities ordered evacuations, opened shelters and sent military troops to areas at risk. Schools in Acapulco were suspended, and shelters remained open in Guerrero as officials prepared for further impacts. Hurricane and tropical storm warnings and watches were in effect for parts of Baja California Sur and mainland Mexico.
Polo had intensified extremely rapidly earlier in its development: its winds rose from 45 mph to 150 mph in about a day and later peaked at 180 mph, above the Category 5 threshold. The article describes it as the second-strongest hurricane on record in the Eastern Pacific by central pressure, behind Hurricane Patricia, and says its wind speed tied Hurricane Rick as the region’s third-highest. Unusually strong El Niño conditions, warmer waters, moist air and lower wind shear were cited as factors supporting Pacific storm activity. The article also notes that Hurricane Nolo had recently passed near Hawaii’s Big Island.
Entities: Hurricane Polo, Baja California Sur, Sonora, U.S. National Hurricane Center, National Weather Service Weather Prediction Center • Tone: urgent • Sentiment: negative • Intent: warn
29-09-2026
Hurricane Polo made landfall on Tuesday near Las Barrancas on Mexico’s Baja California peninsula as a Category 3 storm, bringing winds of up to 175 kilometres per hour, flooding and power outages. The US National Hurricane Centre warned of life-threatening winds and flash flooding. In Puerto San Carlos, waves and storm surges breached sections of a sand barrier and sent water into streets. The town lost power, while palm trees were battered by strong winds and authorities told residents to shelter.
Residents took precautions, including whale-watching and fishing guide Juan Manuel Sarabia, who boarded up and reinforced his home. However, few homes or businesses in the town appeared to be protected against flooding. A police officer told AFP he thought the entire town should have been evacuated. Shopkeeper Maria Palomino, sheltering at a nearby high school, said she would rather face the storm among people she knew. Authorities opened 169 shelters across Baja California Sur.
Mexico’s meteorological service warned that storm surges and heavy rain could cause “very severe” damage. The military deployed nearly 7,000 troops in the state; classes were suspended, some public servants were told to work from home, and maritime activities were halted. Meteorologists also issued heavy-rain and flood warnings for parts of 10 US states, including some experiencing drought.
The report links the unusually active Pacific hurricane season to a strong El Niño, which warms the central and eastern Pacific and affects winds and rainfall worldwide. Forecasters were also monitoring Tropical Storm Rachel off Mexico, which was expected to track parallel to the coast and could strengthen into a hurricane mid-week.
Entities: Hurricane Polo, Baja California Sur, Las Barrancas, Puerto San Carlos, US National Hurricane Centre (NHC) • Tone: urgent • Sentiment: negative • Intent: inform
