Hurricane Polo makes landfall in Baja California, 'life-threatening' winds forecast

Hurricane Polo made landfall in southern Mexico's Baja California peninsula early Tuesday, bringing gusts up to 200 km/h. Authorities anticipated life-threatening hurricane conditions to persist in Baja California Sur for several hours, with worsening weather conditions in southern Sonora. The storm struck as a category 2 hurricane south of Las Barrancas, a region far less densely populated than the Los Cabos resort area at the peninsula's tip.

The National Weather Service reported sustained winds of 150 to 170 km/h, with gusts reaching 180 to 200 km/h and waves 7 to 9 meters high. Polo was anticipated to deliver 6 to 12 inches of rain across Baja California Sur, posing a risk of severe flooding and mudslides, according to the US National Hurricane Center. Both Mexican authorities and the NHC advised residents to stay indoors safely in their homes or temporary shelters in high-risk zones.

Residents in the storm's path stocked up on essential goods at supermarkets over the weekend, while business owners boarded up doors and windows to brace for the impending weather event.