Hurricane Polo: Life-Threatening Floods Loom in Baja California Sur

Residents in Mexico's Baja California Sur state prepared Monday for Hurricane Polo, a Category 3 storm that threatened high winds, flooding and mudslides. The storm, with sustained winds of 115 mph, barreled toward the peninsula, predicted to make landfall Monday afternoon.

In Puerto San Carlos, a fishing town of about 5,700 people, residents worried Polo's expected high tides and powerful waves could breach protective barriers and flood the community. Some families planned to evacuate to shelters in Ciudad Constitucion, 37 miles away. Dozens of others evacuated high-risk areas across the state.

“Civil Protection told those of us here in San Carlos to evacuate because this is a high-risk area. With the current tides, the expected waves and the wind, the earthen barriers they built could give way,” said Rocío Sánchez, a fisherwoman.

Laura Velázquez, national coordinator of Mexico’s Civil Protection Agency, urged residents to stay off streets and seek shelter in safe homes. Travel halted in the expected landfall zone, and ports closed across the region.

Polo was forecast to be near major hurricane strength upon reaching Baja California Sur, with landfall on mainland Mexico anticipated late Monday or early Tuesday. The storm also threatened heavy rain and flooding for parts of the U.S. Southwest later in the week.

Meanwhile, Hurricane Nolo edged away from Hawaii but still risked torrential rain, life-threatening flooding and mudslides for parts of the Big Island, with up to 20 inches of rain possible.