LAS BARRANCAS, Mexico — Hurricane Polo made landfall early Tuesday in Baja California Sur as a Category 2 storm with maximum sustained winds of 110 mph (175 kph), bringing life-threatening winds and flash flooding to Mexico’s Pacific peninsula, the Associated Press reported citing the U.S. National Hurricane Center.
The center said Polo struck just south of Las Barrancas, about 80 miles (130 kilometers) north of Cabo San Lázaro and about 70 miles (115 kilometers) south of Mulegé, while moving northeast at 13 mph (20 kph). On Monday the storm had been Category 3 with top winds of 115 mph; forecasters still expected 6–12 inches of rain across parts of Baja California Sur and a second landfall threat for mainland Mexico, with Sonora suspending nonessential activities and schools.
Mexico’s navy said personnel and three aid vessels were ready along the northern Pacific coast; ports were closed and travel suspended near the landfall zone. Remnants were forecast to push heavy rain into parts of the U.S. Southwest later in the week. Tropical Storm Rachel was also tracked west of Acapulco, while Hurricane Nolo edged away from Hawaii as a major storm.
Sources: Associated Press via ABC News, BBC News, U.S. National Hurricane Center
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