Category 4 Hurricane Polo threatens Mexico’s coast, landfall expected Monday

Hurricane Polo, downgraded to a Category 4, moved away from Mexico's Pacific coast on Saturday, according to the US National Hurricane Center. The storm, initially a Category 5, was located approximately 330 miles south-west of Cabo San Lucas, with maximum sustained winds of 145 mph. It was moving northwest at a speed of 9 mph. Private forecaster AccuWeather predicted that the hurricane would gradually weaken and make landfall in Baja California as a Category 2 storm, with some small towns like Las Barrancas potentially in its path.

The hurricane's approach prompted evacuations, port closures, and school cancellations across Mexico's Pacific coast. In San Jose del Cabo, a beach was closed due to high waves and dangerous surf conditions. The National Hurricane Center warned of the potential for hurricane conditions on Monday afternoon from Punta Eugenia to Santa Fe in Baja California.

Polo is expected to bring 4 to 8 inches of rain to parts of Baja California Sur, with maximum amounts of 10 inches, which could lead to life-threatening flooding, mudslides, and hazardous surf, rip currents, and coastal flooding.