Published : 29 Sep 2026, 01:07 AM
Updated : 29 Sep 2026, 01:07 AM
Mexican authorities urged residents of Baja California Sur to prepare for the imminent arrival of major Hurricane Polo on Monday, warning of life-threatening winds and flash floods.
Restaurant and store owners in the coastal towns of Loreto and Ciudad Constitucion boarded up doors and windows overnight as worsening weather was expected to make preparations more difficult.
Polo was expected to make landfall in Baja California Sur between 4 and 6pm local time, most likely as a major Category 3 hurricane, Laura Velazquez, head of Mexico's civil protection agency, said on Monday.
Access to beaches had been cut off and maritime activities suspended in high-risk areas. Velazquez urged residents to remain calm, saying power and internet services would likely be disrupted for several hours.
On Monday morning, Polo was about 85miles (140km) west-southwest of Cabo San Lazaro, with maximum sustained winds near 185kph and higher gusts, according to the US National Hurricane Center.
The storm was expected to bring 6 to 12 inches (15 to 30cm) of rain across Baja California Sur, raising the risk of life-threatening flooding and mudslides, the NHC said.
Despite weakening slightly, Polo was expected to make landfall as a dangerous Category 3 hurricane, private forecaster AccuWeather said. The storm was forecast to hit a sparsely populated area, although small towns including Las Barrancas and San Juanico, each with fewer than 1,000 residents, were in its path.
Polo has tracked off Mexico's Pacific coast for several days, bringing heavy rain, destructive waves and strong winds that have prompted evacuations, port closures and school cancellations.
After crossing the Baja California peninsula, home to tourist destinations including Los Cabos and the Arch of Cabo San Lucas, Polo was expected to weaken but could still make a second landfall on mainland Mexico as a hurricane.
Two Landfalls, Widespread Impact
Polo was expected to make a second landfall in southern Sonora late Monday or early Tuesday, the NHC said.
The Baja California state government had opened temporary shelters in five municipalities for residents of high-risk areas. Early Monday, 78 people had been evacuated as a precaution to a shelter in Ciudad Constitucion.
"The main recommendation is for people to stay in their homes; and if there is any risk at their homes, they should move to temporary shelters," Velazquez said during President Claudia Sheinbaum's morning press conference.
Sonora was expected to receive 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15cm) of rain, with isolated totals of up to 8 inches (20cm), increasing the risk of life-threatening flooding and mudslides.
Storm surge could also cause significant coastal flooding and large, destructive waves along both the Baja California peninsula and Mexico's mainland Pacific coast.
