Hurricane Polo makes Baja landfall, headed for a 2nd in Mexico

Hurricane Polo made landfall in Baja California overnight and is forecasted to strike the mainland of Mexico later on Tuesday. The storm brought destructive winds of 96 to 110 mph to the Baja California Peninsula near Las Barrancas when it struck early Tuesday morning. After its initial impact, Polo was downgraded to a Category 1 hurricane as it continued its journey across Baja and targeted the Sonora region of mainland Mexico. No immediate reports of damage or injuries have been issued.

Polo formed into a Pacific hurricane on September 20, joining three other hurricanes actively developing in the Pacific at the same time. The storm brought near-record levels of moisture from the Pacific, enhanced by strong winds from Polo itself. The remnants of the hurricane will merge with an existing storm system later on Tuesday, causing intense moisture to spread across a significant portion of the United States.

Over 30 million people in 12 states, from California and Texas to Iowa, are under a flood watch due to the impending rain. In Utah and Arizona, multiple flash flood warnings are active, with near-record flooding reported in Zion National Park along the Virgin River and Heaps Canyon. On Monday night, water rescues were conducted in Bullhead City, Arizona, after a vehicle was swept away in floodwaters.