MEXICO CITY — Authorities in southwestern Mexico prepared for heavy rainfall and mudslides on Wednesday after Polo intensified into a major hurricane in the Pacific Ocean. Simultaneously, meteorologists warned that Tropical Storm Nolo is closing in on Hawaii, posing a risk of severe flooding later in the week.
Polo, classified as an “extremely dangerous” storm, is expected to pass near Guerrero state without making direct landfall. However, the National Hurricane Center in Miami reported that the system will still push 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 centimeters) of rain across coastal areas through Thursday. The storm was packing sustained winds of 160 mph (257 kph) Wednesday night as it swirled approximately 130 miles (209 kilometers) south-southwest of Zihuatanejo.
Guerrero, a region that has been repeatedly hit by hurricanes in recent years, remains the primary concern for life-threatening floods and debris flows. The area is largely rural and mountainous, characterized by poverty and frequent complaints from residents that government support is lacking during disasters.
Concepción López Villegas, a restaurant owner in Lázaro Cárdenas, Michoacán, was reinforcing her seaside business against the impending storm. Strong waves had already begun battering local beaches.
“We’re worried and trying to protect our businesses,” López Villegas said. “And of course, we’re sad because it’s our heritage, our legacy that from one moment to another could be destroyed.”
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum confirmed that Polo would not make landfall, though rain and strong winds were already affecting the coast. In response to the threat, the government has ordered evacuations in certain zones, established shelters, and deployed thousands of military and Red Cross personnel to the region as a preventive measure.
Farther east in the Pacific, Tropical Storm Nolo was located about 295 miles (475 kilometers) south of South Point, Hawaii. Forecasters predict the system will strengthen into a hurricane by Thursday night and could approach the Big Island as early as Friday.
John Bravender, a warning coordination meteorologist with the National Weather Service, stated during a Wednesday news conference that Nolo has the potential to become a major hurricane. While high winds are anticipated, Bravender identified flash flooding as the primary hazard.
He noted that southeastern parts of the Big Island could receive 20 to 30 inches (50 to 76 centimeters) of rain through Saturday. This deluge follows persistent rainfall over the last few months that has kept the ground saturated since the region was hard hit by Hurricane Lala in August.
“That by itself could cause catastrophic flooding, but when you put that on top of grounds that we’ve been raining off and on for the last couple of months … that rain could cause even more damage,” Bravender said.
I always thought Polo was a shoe brand. Didn’t expect to see it on a weather map!
Another hurricane in a region already struggling with poverty and lack of government support. It never ends.
Saturated ground plus twenty inches of rain sounds absolutely terrifying for Hawaii.
Wait, why is the first hurricane Polo and the second Nolo? Those are weird names for storms.
Guerrero has suffered so much lately. I hope the evacuations are enough this time.