Hurricane Polo threatens Mexico’s coast

Hurricane Polo, once a Category 5 storm, has weakened to a Category 4 as it moves away from Mexico's Pacific coast, according to the US National Hurricane Center. The hurricane was located approximately 531km southwest of the popular Mexican resort town of Cabo San Lucas on Saturday afternoon, with winds reaching 233 kph and moving northwest at 14 kph.

AccuWeather forecasts that Polo will gradually lose intensity and make landfall in Baja California as a Category 2 hurricane, potentially impacting areas with smaller populations, such as Las Barrancas. The storm is expected to cause life-threatening surf, rip currents, and coastal flooding upon landfall. In the meantime, heavy rain and strong winds have already led to evacuations, port closures, and school cancellations along Mexico's Pacific coast.

Police in the resort city of San Jose del Cabo have restricted beach access due to hazardous surf conditions. The National Hurricane Center warns that Hurricane Polo may cause life-threatening flooding and mudslides in parts of Baja California Sur, with up to 20 cm of rain possible. Additionally, life-threatening surf, rip currents, and coastal flooding are anticipated along the coast from Punta Eugenia to Santa Fe in Baja California on Monday afternoon.